Reviews with content warning for Death of parent - Darius the Great Is Not Okay

I was surprised by this book. I started out seeing simple story telling. A slow progression of events. Simple language. But the more I read the more I realised how much this book was saying. On a seemingly simple foundation so many themes, topics and developments were explored.

I was transported into Darius’ world. A world where I can see overlap with myself. I also struggle with depression. I also have a double nationality and don’t quite know where I belong. Seeing those overlaps and seeing how similar or different they can be experienced was a personal enrichment. Darius is also very different to me in many ways. Seeing those different experiences is also very enriching in its own way.

This book ended up capturing so much. I believe I will carry a lot of this story with me for some time to come.

Content Warnings

bladelikesbooks's review

Go to review page

challenging emotional 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

5.0

In this novel, we see Darius struggle socially, internally and also within his family unit. Darius is bullied at school by racist peers and just general assholes and when he reaches out to his father for help, he portrays textbook toxic masculinity and blames Darius for the bullying. He’s the perfect example of being your child’s first bully.

Due to the illness of a loved one, Darius’ family goes to Iran for a trip. During this, we see many culture differences and Darius’ struggle with not feeling “Iranian enough”. He forms a friendship while there that is just wonderful for him and really helps him build confidence and connection and who helps him feel like he belongs. I really think this friendship with Sohrab truly healed some parts of Darius that he was really struggling with. It was truly a beautiful depiction of friendship. I was so sad when Darius had to go back home.

I really felt for Darius when he was struggling with wanting to be more involved in his family on his Iranian side but not knowing how to communicate. I have family struggles myself so it’s safe to say I cried throughout the majority of this book. Darius and his dad have a really great conversation where his dad apologises and explains why he acts the way he does and that one conversation was so healing in their relationship.

I think this book does a great job of portraying familial relationships in such a real and honest way and it really resonated with me. This is definitely one of my favourite books of all time and I can’t wait to read the sequel. Also, I loved the afterword and I really appreciated the inclusion of helplines at the end of the book.

Representation - Bahá’í (SC); Depression (MC); Fat (MC); Iranian/Persian-American (MC); Muslim (BGC); POC (MC)

TWs/CWs - Blood; Bullying; Death; Death of a Parent; Fatphobia; Homophobia; Institutionalised Racism; Islamophobia; Medical Detail; Racism; Stool; Suicide; Suicide Attempt; Suicide Ideation; Terminal Illness; Toxic Masculinity

Content Warnings

maple_dove's review

Go to review page

emotional hopeful 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

The main character, Darius, is Iranian-American, clinically depressed, fat, and has Father Issues.

I liked this book a lot more than I thought I would, to be honest. It's sad yet has a lot of hopeful and happy moments. I also liked the social commentary on schools trying to be inclusive, but explains why most of these efforts ultimately fail. The part on where Darius didn't feel "enough" (in this case, not "Iranian enough") is very relatable to a lot of POC living in the States.

Content Warnings

adalinemccormick's review

Go to review page

adventurous emotional funny reflective fast-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

5.0

Content Warnings

portcityreads's review

Go to review page

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny 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

5.0

I thought it was slow at first, but once the family started their trip I was hooked. This is a complex story full of triggers and family dynamics and it was really beautiful.

Content Warnings

queerloras's review

Go to review page

emotional hopeful inspiring 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? Yes

4.5

Content Warnings

marissasa's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional lighthearted 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

4.5

This book is full of so much heart and genuine emotion. Darius has a strong narrative voice and I felt like I had a good image of his character from the start, with all his Star Trek references and self-doubts. I related to the same struggles Darius did of not feeling like he belonged in his family's country because he grew up in America, didn't know how to speak Farsi, and didn't get to grow up with his grandparents in their hometown. The awkwardness and "feelings we know but don't talk about" energy that Darius had with both his dad and his Iranian family are so real to the daddy issues and child of immigrants experience. This book also had one of the most accurate depictions of being depressed as a teen and how hard it is to talk about depression in Asian cultures that I have seen. It made it even more heartwarming and heartbreaking in the moments between Darius and Sohrab where we got to see them become friends who respected and validated each other, physically affectionate without it being thought of as weird, and be able to both talk without walls up and sit in comfortable silence together. I loved learning more about Iranian food and culture alongside Darius. I loved how this book portrayed different forms of non-romantic love and how deeply they can change your life.

Content Warnings

noahsingh's review

Go to review page

medium-paced

Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.75

tbh an Immediate favourite book, really hit home as someone who is also mixed race and depressed and queer lol would b 5 starts if not for the weird occasional fatphobia:/

Content Warnings

More...