Darius the Great is Not Okay by Adib Khorram

Darius the Great is Not Okay by Adib Khorram
Published by Dial on August 28th 2018
Genres: Contemporary, Young Adult, YA
Goodreads

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.

Darius Kellner speaks better Klingon than Farsi, and he knows more about Hobbit social cues than Persian ones. He's about to take his first-ever trip to Iran, and it's pretty overwhelming--especially when he's also dealing with clinical depression, a disapproving dad, and a chronically anemic social life. In Iran, he gets to know his ailing but still formidable grandfather, his loving grandmother, and the rest of his mom's family for the first time. And he meets Sohrab, the boy next door who changes everything.

Sohrab makes sure people speak English so Darius can understand what's going on. He gets Darius an Iranian National Football Team jersey that makes him feel like a True Persian for the first time. And he understand that sometimes, best friends don't have to talk. Darius has never had a true friend before, but now he's spending his days with Sohrab playing soccer, eating rosewater ice cream, and sitting together for hours in their special place, a rooftop overlooking the Yazdi 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. When it's time to go home to America, he'll have to find a way to be Darioush on his own.

I received a copy of this book for review from the publisher. This does not influence my thoughts on the book or this review.

I’ve heard nothing but amazing things about Darius the Great is Not Okay and with blurbs by Nic Stone and Becky Albertalli, I knew I’d have to read it.

Darius doesn’t feel like he fits in America and definitely not in his mom’s home country of Iran. With his first trip there happening to Iran shortly, Darius has a lot to worry about, including his disapproving dad and clinical depression. In Iran, however, Darius gets to know his family and meet Sohrab, the boy next door who instantly becomes his friend. Darius the Great is Not Okay is a wonderful debut coming-of-age novel.

I really liked Darius’ character. Khorram’s writing had a lot of voice on it and I really felt that Darius was a well-rounded character. I really loved the depiction of Darius’ depression and I felt that there was clearly a lot of care taken into it when writing. I also thought the relationship between Darius and his father was interesting to read about. The only thing that is slightly unclear is the true nature of the relationship between Sohrab and Darius. I personally read Darius as having a crush on Sohrab and I definitely sensed something more-than-friendship between the pair, though it was never explicitly stated on either of their ends.

Overall, I really liked Darius the Great is Not Okay and I’m definitely really excited to see what the author comes out with next.