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4.28 AVERAGE
4.28 AVERAGE
I could give a dozen different reasons why this book is such a wonderful read, but I’ll try to stick to the most important ones. First, the cultural aspects. Darius’ journey to understand his origins and connect to his Persian side is relatable to every immigrant. Torn between not being American enough and not being Persian enough, Darius feels like an outsider everywhere he goes, and this feeling of inadequacy is only made worse by his depression and his sour relationship with his father, making his character arc an incredibly deep one. Also, you can learn a great deal about Persian culture along with Darius, as he unravels the social cues in his mother’s hometown.
Second, the mental health approach. Darius’ depression is dealt with great care and woven beautifully throughout the novel in every relationship and every internal monologue he has. Which curiously makes him an unreliable narrator. When you understand his depression influences every thought he has, you wonder if what he’s narrating is actually true or if it’s his cognitive distortions getting in the way. Especially when it comes to his relationship with his father, one of the best aspects of this novel and key to Darius’ character development. Khorram deals with depression himself, which explains why the rep in this novel is so poignant. One of the best I’ve ever read, in fact, which only made it so relatable to me.
Third, Darius’ relationship with Sohrab. The queer rep in this book is incredibly subtle, and though Darius’ sexuality is never mentioned, you can imply he’s attracted to other males. However, when it comes to Sohrab, the thing goes beyond attraction into true friendship.
All their interactions are so on point, and I dare say their conversations will bring warmth to your heart. In Sohrab, Darius can find understanding and a sense of belonging he never felt before. And though I’d like to see their relationship growing into something further, I love how it was dealt with in the book as well, since Darius barely scratched the surface of who he is.
This is one outstanding coming of age story about finding your origins and coming to terms with who you are, and I’d recommend it to every living soul.
Second, the mental health approach. Darius’ depression is dealt with great care and woven beautifully throughout the novel in every relationship and every internal monologue he has. Which curiously makes him an unreliable narrator. When you understand his depression influences every thought he has, you wonder if what he’s narrating is actually true or if it’s his cognitive distortions getting in the way. Especially when it comes to his relationship with his father, one of the best aspects of this novel and key to Darius’ character development. Khorram deals with depression himself, which explains why the rep in this novel is so poignant. One of the best I’ve ever read, in fact, which only made it so relatable to me.
Third, Darius’ relationship with Sohrab. The queer rep in this book is incredibly subtle, and though Darius’ sexuality is never mentioned, you can imply he’s attracted to other males. However, when it comes to Sohrab, the thing goes beyond attraction into true friendship.
All their interactions are so on point, and I dare say their conversations will bring warmth to your heart. In Sohrab, Darius can find understanding and a sense of belonging he never felt before. And though I’d like to see their relationship growing into something further, I love how it was dealt with in the book as well, since Darius barely scratched the surface of who he is.
This is one outstanding coming of age story about finding your origins and coming to terms with who you are, and I’d recommend it to every living soul.
actual rating: 4.5
it's okay to not be okay
full rtc but i really loved this and it made me cry!
it's okay to not be okay
full rtc but i really loved this and it made me cry!
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
emotional
informative
slow-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
I am Iranian American and I study Iranian American familial relations at school so I was like “this is perfect!” But it was just so repetitive and so one dimensional. I also don’t know how people who didn’t have an interest in Iran sat through this book because if it was about any other culture but my own I would have put it down ten pages in. I understand the book is mainly about depression but so much of Darius especially before he meets Sohrab makes it so you don’t want to root for him at all.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
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
Darius is a partially Persian high schooler with depression, who has one kind-of friend and a bully at school. His grandfather has a brain tumor, and that brings him and his family to visit Iran. This is a story about him learning more about his family, and more about himself along the way.
Incredible read! I borrowed this book from Georgia on her recommendation and I am so glad I did. Darius is such a flawed and lovable character. His relationship with his father and sister, as well as his grandparents and the friend he makes in Iran, all form the backbone of this story. I loved seeing all of these relationships develop and change. I cried a couple of times; this book was such a good read.
Incredible read! I borrowed this book from Georgia on her recommendation and I am so glad I did. Darius is such a flawed and lovable character. His relationship with his father and sister, as well as his grandparents and the friend he makes in Iran, all form the backbone of this story. I loved seeing all of these relationships develop and change. I cried a couple of times; this book was such a good read.
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
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:
No