Khorram, Adib. Darius the Great is Not Okay. Dial Books, 2018. $17.99. ISBN 9780525552963. 314 pgs. Ages 12+. P8Q9
Darius Kellner, a “Fractional Persian,” is a clinically depressed sophomore in Portland, Oregon. Like many mixed culture kids, Darius doesn’t feel like fits into either culture. In fact, he feels more at home with Klingon and Hobbit culture and language than Iranian. When his grandfather (who lives in Iran) becomes very ill, the family makes a trip to see him. The trip to Iran is a life-changing experience for Darius. He makes a real friend, a neighbor boy named Sohrab, and for the first time, feels like someone understands him. This book deals with many issues- cultural identity, cultural adjustment, bullying, mental illness, body issues, friendship, father-son relationships, etc. Khorram does a wonderful job of making the readers feel like we know and identify with Darius, especially with his struggle with depression and his feelings that he just isn’t good enough. I also loved the portrayal of Darius’ relationship with his father (always difficult, though he begins to have some understanding for him by the end), his sweet relationship with his little sister, and new-found love for his grandparents, and his positive experience in Iran.
VERDICT: I think most people will find something to like in this book. I highly recommend it for high school and public libraries.
Winner of the William C. Morris YA Debut Award (2019) and the Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature for Literature for Young Adult Literature (2019)
March 2019 review by Carol Schramm.
Oregon Coast Youth Book Preview Center 