Written by: G. S.
Picture below: Author with his book
Information
Author: Adib Khorram / Genre: Young Adult Fiction / Published: 2018
Summary
As a Fractional Persian, Darius Kellner has always felt alienated from his culture in Yazd, which is exemplified by the fact that he can only recognize food words in Farsi and doesn’t steep his tea in the traditional Persian style. To make matters even more difficult, he is bullied at his high school for his ethnicity, weight, clinical depression, and nerdy interests. His home life isn’t much better, since his parents favor his younger sister, Laleh, more than him. She is fluent in Farsi and is able to communicate with their grandparents, Mamou and Babou, in Yazd, creating more of a disconnect for Darius because of his Persian half. Worst of all, his relationship with his father, Stephen, has never been particularly great as he continues to call out his mood swings and laziness, even though they both deal with depression. When Darius’s mom, Shirin, gets a video call from his grandparents, the shocking news rocks the family. Babou has terminal brain cancer, and he is not going to get better. To spend time as a family before Babou’s inevitable passing, they decide to take a trip to Iran over the Persian New Year, Nowruz.
The plane trip to Yazd is exhausting as they drive to where Darius’s family will be staying. When Darius first arrives in Iran, he feels even more ostracized than when he was in America. His grandfather is less welcoming than he anticipated and criticizes Darius for relying on medication to treat his depression when he supposedly has no reason to feel sad. Even his grandmother underestimates Darius and teaches him how to make Persian tea, an art he mastered years prior. He feels even more like an outsider when his new friend Sohrab introduces him to two other boys who tease him after playing soccer.
During the next few days, Darius grows increasingly disconnected from not only his relatives in Iran but also his own family. Though Darius and his father, Stephen, always honored their nightly tradition of watching Star Trek in America, in Iran, Stephen watches the show with Laleh instead. Darius cannot help but feel jealous of his younger sister, who seamlessly adapted to life in Iran and stole the only peasant ritual Darius shared with Stephen.
However, as Darius spends more time exploring Iran with his family and strengthening his relationship with Sohrab, he becomes increasingly enamored with the country and his new life there. Through their daily soccer games, Sohrab helps Darius recognize his strengths. This increased confidence motivates Darius to learn more about his family and culture until he eventually gains the sense of belonging he previously lacked.
Shortly before the Kellner family returns to America, Sohrab learns that his father has died in jail. The traumatic loss causes Sohrab to lash out at Darius, making him doubt all the confidence he has accumulated throughout his trip. Feeling broken and alone once more, Darius hides on the park rooftop from which he and Sohrab would admire the city below. When Stephen later finds his son there, Darius discovers that Stephen cherishes and admires him more than he ever realized. The next day, Sohrab also apologizes for his hurtful behavior. Though Darius leaves Iran knowing he will never see his grandfather again, he returns to America feeling grateful for the time they spent together. When Darius resumes school as a more assured version of himself, he quickly makes new friends and even secures a position on the soccer team. The novel ends with the Kellner family drinking tea together while reminiscing over their time in Iran.
How this Book Relates to the Modern World
Covering a wide range of topics from heritage, religious prejudice, and depression, Darius the Great Is Not Okay explores diverse and relatable struggles. At home, Darius feels like he doesn’t fit in because he’s half-Persian. But when his family travels to Iran to visit his grandparents for the first time, he learns about his heritage and how fitting in is about kindness, friendship, and acceptance. He also learns about the Persian way of life – learning Persian, playing soccer, and the act of taarofing. With Sohrab being Baha’i, a religion that is looked down upon in Iran, the book also gives insight into the alienation people like Sohrab experience in Iranian society. It was the reason why Sohrab’s dad was arrested and most likely why he was killed. The turmoil between the state and this religious group is hostile, and many Baha'is have been attacked with no explanation. Their burial sights are often destroyed by the government, leaving them with no peace in life and after. In addition, the novel teaches its readers about depression and how it is a chemical imbalance in someone's brain and not a social stigma. The author teaches that people do not need a reason to be depressed, and they shouldn’t feel the need to justify their depression to themselves or others. Invalidating another person’s mental illness because they don’t “look depressed” or they “have no reason to be depressed” is unacceptable. Mental illnesses are not always as obvious as one may think they are, and it is important to check on the people closest to you and encourage them to get help if they seem like they’re struggling and dealing with more than they can handle.
Why the Book Should be Read in Schools
This book discusses the theme of identity, which is something many teenagers struggle with as they mature. Darius often comments on how Non-Fractional Persians and Fractional Persians are not treated in the same way, which upsets him because he always feels like he has to prove himself to his Persian family. The book demonstrates this split between the world one knows and the world that one’s family comes from. Darius also has issues with his mental health and body image, which are more common problems that lots of high schoolers like Darius can relate to.
In addition to themes, there are several symbols and motifs that help develop the plot line. From the soccer cleats and his Team Melli jersey, tea, and even Sohrab himself, they each represent ways for Darius to get more in touch with his Persian side. They also provide comfort for him and ultimately help him get out of his head. Overall, Darius the Great Is Not Okay is a book that is very well-rounded. It can discuss identity and also be a well-organized book with literary elements that can be analyzed, like in a typical English class.
Rating/Personal Reaction
I personally enjoy this book because of its ability to cover topics like being mixed in America, mental health, and family issues. There’s something within the book which most readers can relate to. It’s important to see this type of representation in books since it helps readers escape into the text itself and see that they are not alone in their struggles in life. Although these topics are heavy, they are executed in a perfect way by the author that demonstrates hope for Darius to finally be seen by everyone for who he truly is. It’s also comforting to see Darius resolve some of his issues by the end of the novel and come to terms with life.
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