Darius the Great Is Not Okay by Adib Khorram

Darius the Great Is Not Okay

by Adib Khorram

Darius doesn't think he'll ever be enough, in America or in Iran. Hilarious and heartbreaking, this unforgettable debut introduces a brilliant new voice in contemporary YA.

Winner of the William C. Morris Debut Award

“Heartfelt, tender, and so utterly real. I’d live in this book forever if I could.”
—Becky Albertalli, award-winning author of Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda

Darius Kellner speaks better Klingon than Farsi, and he knows more about Hobbit social cues than Persian ones. He’s a Fractional Persian—half, his mom’s side—and his first-ever trip to Iran is about to change his life.
 
Darius has never really fit in at home, and he’s sure things are going to be the same in Iran. His clinical depression doesn’t exactly help matters, and trying to explain his medication to his grandparents only makes things harder. Then Darius meets Sohrab, the boy next door, and everything changes. Soon, they’re spending their days together, playing soccer, eating faludeh, and talking for hours on a secret rooftop overlooking the city’s skyline. Sohrab calls him Darioush—the original Persian version of his name—and Darius has never felt more like himself than he does now that he’s Darioush to Sohrab.
 
Adib Khorram’s brilliant debut is for anyone who’s ever felt not good enough—then met a friend who makes them feel so much better than okay.

Reviewed by jeannamichel on

5 of 5 stars

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My heart is so full.

Darius is about to embark on his first trip to Iran with his family. He meets his heartwarming grandmother, his ailing, yet amazing grandfather, and the boy next door, Sohrab. Sohrab changes everything. Adib Khorram’s debut, Darius the Great is Not Okay, is a spectacular coming of age novel of friendship and family that is sure to move you.

Darius' narrative is compelling and realistic. There are moments of stream of consciousness where readers are swept along into his mind. The flow is almost rhythmic. It certainly makes it hard to put down.

With all the references to Lord of the Rings and Star Trek, my fangirl heart is truly happy. I thought I was the only read who read the appendixes of Lord of the Rings. In Darius, it is extremely easy to find pieces of yourself, whether its his love of several fandoms or his struggle to fit in.

It's absolutely wonderful to have a protagonist with Middle Eastern heritage. The diverse cast of characters in Darius the Great is Not Okay is fantastic. Most of the book is set in Iran which brings a phenomenal heartbreaking story that every reader can relate to. The descriptions of the setting truly transports readers. There’s a moment in the book where Darius is atop a rooftop, watching the sky above the cityscape. Khorram’s phenomenal writing takes readers to that exact spot.

Darius struggles with his cultural identity. It's not something we usually come across in YA novels. He refers to himself as a fractional Persian. His struggle in fitting in, in any country, gives readers a new perspective but also educates them on this real issue that plagues many of bicultural identity. This poignant novel begins a lot of important discussions.

The repetition of Darius’ narrative made the story intentional and powerful. It pulls at your heartstrings. By the end, every single character had a place in your heart. But most of all, Darius shined in all his hilarious commentary.

The friendship between Darius and Sohrab was like no other. It was patient and kind, yet passionate and endearing. It surprised me that there was absolutely no romance—which is rare in young adult literature. Instead, Darius is friendship-centric, developing these two characters around this blossoming relationship they have together.

There is a trigger warning for clinical depression, some suicidal thoughts, and bullying.

I knew the ending was inevitable. Yet, I was still surprised at how abrupt it was. Just as the title admits, I was not okay. The last few chapters were able to fill me with hope and I left the book feeling content and blown away by a story that made me feel everything from joy to sadness.

Darius the Great is Not Okay by Adib Khorram is a coming of age story that will stir its readers. The friendship, Darius' family dynamic, and the diversity in this book is truly remarkable. This debut goes above and beyond with a masterful plot that is both easy to relate to and heartbreaking.

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Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 16 August, 2018: Finished reading
  • 16 August, 2018: Reviewed