Korean Book Club: Almond

The Book Club in June will read ‘Almond’, a coming-of-age novel by Korean novelist Won-pyung Sohn.

‘Almond’ is about a boy named Yunjae who was born with a brain condition called Alexithymia that makes it hard for him to feel emotions such as fear and anger. He does not have friends, the two almond-shaped neurons located deep in his brain have seen to that – but his devoted mother and grandmother provide him with a safe and content life. Then on Christmas Eve, everything changes. A shocking act of random violence shatters his world, leaving him alone and on his own. Struggling to cope with his loss, Yunjae retreats into silent isolation, until troubled teenager Gon arrives at this school, and they develop a surprising bond.

Join Dr. Sung-Ae Lee, a Macquarie University International Studies lecturer, and comedian Harry Jun for a discussion about Yunjae's devastating eloquence in expressing the complexity of human behaviour, as well as how different the world is seen through Yunjae's eyes.

This is a coming-of-age novel that is highly affecting and is sure to delight readers of every age. 

Free admission, bookings are essential. Participants will have a chance to win 1 of 10 copies of the book.