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4.28 AVERAGE
4.28 AVERAGE
A candid and moving coming-of-age story about a young man living with depression and visiting his family in Iran. Darius is someone you want to succeed, even if he gets in his own way. I appreciate what Adib Khorram brings to YA lit, and I hope he writes more!
hopeful
informative
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
N/A
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:
Yes
Content Warnings
Minor: Bullying, Mental illness, Terminal illness, Suicide attempt
This is one of the books I wouldn't want to end, and one of the only few who made me cry.
I just can't. It's too beautiful and too heartbreaking. I envy how the author can accurately describe and let the reader feel what Darius feels by just using simple and short words. It feels as though there's a balloon expanding inside of me, filling up every time Darius and his Dad has an argument or misunderstanding, or any kind of issue--and by the climax of the book, it's as if something hit that balloon, and it just popped! That immense feeling that was welling up in my body just exploded and I just wept as I read.
This book did a great job on making me aware what depression feels like. I highly recommend that everyone, every human being, must read it.
I just can't. It's too beautiful and too heartbreaking. I envy how the author can accurately describe and let the reader feel what Darius feels by just using simple and short words. It feels as though there's a balloon expanding inside of me, filling up every time Darius and his Dad has an argument or misunderstanding, or any kind of issue--and by the climax of the book, it's as if something hit that balloon, and it just popped! That immense feeling that was welling up in my body just exploded and I just wept as I read.
This book did a great job on making me aware what depression feels like. I highly recommend that everyone, every human being, must read it.
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This book was SO GOOD. I fell in love with Darius, his family, and being in his world. I loved the consistency of the space references, the honesty of his insecurities, and the way the author captured depression. It was such a wonderful coming of age story, and I honestly feel lucky to be able to experience his story through this novel. Also being able to see Darius come into his queerness was so beautiful. I also learned a lot about Persian culture and the history of Iran through this novel. Definitely worth the read for all ages, I would recommend as a Spring/Summer/Fall read. So good!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Mental illness, Dementia, Religious bigotry
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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:
Complicated
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is a YA that has been sitting in a my TBR pile for a while, so I finally got around to reading it. It's about a mixed-race half Persian boy who comes back to Iran with his family to visit his dying grandfather. The book is really well written, and it's only fault is it tries a little to hard to be relevant. Darius has trouble fitting in in either culture and has to deal with hypercritical male family members, so he suffers from depression. And then he is told he just needs to try harder to fit in -- which isn't helpful at all. If you are looking for a book to buy a teenager for a gift, this book would be a good choice.