Reviews with content warning for Racism - Darius der Große fühlt sich klein

Reviews tagging 'Racism'

Darius der Große fühlt sich klein by Adib Khorram

68 reviews

aformeracceleratedreader's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful informative reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

I absolutely loved this. I related so hard to both being a mixed person with an immigrant mom who has gone back to the motherland a few times and also as a person with mental illness. That feeling of being too other in the U.S. and then being too other/not enough in the motherland is a difficult feeling to deal with. And family/friends making fun of you in what they consider normal per their culture while in yours it is rude/hurtful/a sensitive topic because you are hyper self conscious of certain things. Darius trying to navigate his relationship with his family in Iran IRL was also something I have done when I go back to the motherland.

When I tell you I bawled, it was full ugly crying. This is quite emotional and so wonderful. This is a book I def needed when I was younger but still resonates so strongly with me now as an adult. I connected so strongly with Darius throughout the whole book. Many of his thoughts and feelings I have experienced/do experience even now.

Informative in so many aspects about Iran and Iranian culture as well. I definitely want to go to Iran to see everything and eat everything!
I'm glad we didn't get told about Babou's illness progression past Darius leaving Iran because I don't think I could handle even more crying. Definitely look at content warnings because along with mental illness, there is some brief discussion on Babou's illness, and some discussion of Iran's political climate.
There is just so much in this book for me that made it 10000% worth my time.

Content Warnings

yoursupremereads's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

Khorram has written something truly special with this book. Centered around a young queer Persian boy going to his mother's hometown to see his grandparents for the first time, Darius The Great Is Not Okay does a lot of work in a short amount of time. Add to it that the main character Darius is a complete nerd/weeb who interjects with sci-fi puns and comparisons in every chapter kept me smiling the whole way through. Khorram also did something incredible in giving Darius a new best friend that results in one of the best platonic male relationships I've seen in a book in a while. This story also tackles mental illness, but in a way that doesn't define Darius as his one facet, it's there, he acknowledges it, it is forever present, but it's just a sliver of who this sweet boy is. Plus, he loves tea, his abject love for tea is downright adorable. And Khorram takes the time to teach you not only about different kinds of tea that Darius loves, but also about Persian tea and customs that Darius is getting to learn about with you the reader while going to see his grandparents. All in all. A precious story and another wonderful addition to the YA queer canon.

Content Warnings

nishana's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional inspiring

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

this book really hit hard in the best way. although i'm not Persian, so much of darius' culture presented throughout the novel really reflected my own. darius' experience in visiting his home country and wanting to connect more with his culture is something that really resonated with me, as did the discussion around having mental health issues in a non-white family.

overall, this was a great read that really connected with me, and i even almost teared up at points.

Content Warnings

13m0n5's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Content Warnings

thewordsdevourer's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional hopeful medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.25

hmmm tbh this didnt quite meet my expectations. my biggest peeve abt darius the great was perhaps its writing: the short sentences were overused and felt clunky and awkward. the tags also led me to believe that the lqbtq+ elements would be more "obvious" and engaged w/. nevertheless, the book's handling of depression and themes of family and identity was great--albeit a lil relatable--and even touching at times. its inclusion of and engagement w/ persian culture and iran were eye-opening as well. might check out the sequel just to see how it all pans out between darius and sohrab.

Content Warnings

jamieschecter's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Content Warnings

nitya's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional funny informative reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

Read for MLIS elective

This book is stuffed with Lord of the Rings and Star Trek references, which delighted my nerdy heart, but I get that not everyone will enjoy them.

I also loved the focus on friendship and Darius' journey in exploring his heritage and family bonds. Definitely checking out the sequel!

Content Warnings