Yunjae tells his story out of chronological order. How does this retroactive perspective affect the way one understands the events in the novel? How does it affect Yunjae’s perspective on emotions, whether his own or others?

Empathy is a major theme in the novel, with Yunjae and Gon both having their own experiences and perceptions of it. How does the novel explore empathy through its characters? Pick a character other than Yunjae or Gon and discuss the way empathy shapes their actions and beliefs.

What does Almond teach readers about South Korean culture? How is culture important to the themes of the novel?