Darius the Great Is Not Okay

"I like how it talks about unsaid things and how you really feel in Darius head."

"im not okay either after reading this book. i ❤️ darius he is so me"

"Darius is 15, overweight, and taking pills for depression, none of which endears him to the bullies at his middle school. Too make matters worse, he is half Persian, with an unusual name and out of control hair. To make matters unbearable, his Anglo father (the Ubermensch) has little sympathy for his son's plight; exhorting Darius to "stand up to 'em"; advice which will make any bullying victim snort with disgust and exasperation. Ill at ease as the only Persian boy in his school, yet only a "fractional Persian" who can't speak Farsi at family gatherings, Darius doesn't feel whole in either society.<br/><br/>Until his family goes on an extended visit to Iran to stay with his mother's parents, whom Darius and his sister have never met. He bonds with his loving grandmother, and his dour grandfather, who is dying of cancer. He enhances his tea making skills, and learns the nuances of "taroof" the Iranian custom of out-politing your friends. Best of all, he bonds with Sohrab, a neighboring soccer enthusiast who takes Darius under his wing. Their evolving friendship brings out the best in both boys, and although nothing is explicitly stated, there are hints that their connection may be more than just platonic.<br/><br/>Khorram tells a beautiful story of teen alienation, family dynamics and cross cultural malaise, yet the narrative occasionally bogs down in needless detail, reading more like an Iranian travelog than a novel. Some of Darius' speech quirks are repeated ad nauseum. Yet Darius' relationship with Sohrab is deeply moving, as is his growing closeness to his grandparents . Best of all is the delicate rapprochement between Darius and his father; their conversations late in the book would be therapeutic reading for many a father and son.<br/><br/>An engaging teen novel with a likable protagonist in an unusual setting."

"This was a fast read. You end up learning so much about Persian culture. Loved it."

"Half persian, half white, struggles with culture and mental health"

"wowowowowow I started reading this one several years ago and put it down because I got busy but picking it up again now I enjoyed it so much??? the characters all felt so real and I absolutely cried at the end oops 10/10"

"This book was a really awesome take on mental health and depression in all ages. It reminded me a lot of The Patron Saints of Nothing, Frankly in Love, as well as Aristotle and Dante. <br/><br/>This book really opens up on the heart of Darius and how he struggles with understanding who he is. He’s half Persian, and half European heritage, so he really wonders throughout the novel if he belongs anywhere. <br/><br/>Through the wonderful settings and unique characters, Darius the Great really shows people, especially teenagers struggling to find themselves, that it’s okay to be not okay, and that you are a pretty great person, no matter what people think of you."

"It was adorable and was such an uplifting story. Made me almost cry "

"Ahh I'm so happy, I haven't talked to anyone who's read Darius the great is not okay!! What are your opinions on the book? "

"Loved this book "