Yunjae

Yunjae is the protagonist and first person narrator of the novel. Though Yunjae is born with abnormally small amygdalae, he shows no immediate signs of developmental trouble. When he is six, however, his mother begins worrying. Not only does Yunjae never smile, but he seems incapable of responding appropriately to others' pain or distress. The doctors confirm Mom's fears, diagnosing Yunjae with a brain condition defined by the inability to perceive or convey emotion. After Yunjae's father dies, Mom moves in with Granny, unable to care for Yunjae alone. She labors tirelessly over his emotional education, determined to teach him how to be normal. Though he knows it is important to his mother, Yunjae does not care if he is normal or not.

Then, one year on his birthday, Yunjae watches as Mom and Granny are attacked by a violent man in the street. Granny is killed and...