I’m still upset that Darius the Great Is Not Okay is not a more popular book!
It’s an amazing story focused on platonic and familial love, what’s its like to be split between two worlds and yet fit into neither, growing up with depression. It’s written by a Adib Khorram. And is genuinely so enjoying to read.
While it’s not technically a romance it gives of the same sort of vibe and Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe, seeing as the author is a queer man himself and a huge fan of Benjamin Alire Sáenz this probably isn’t an accident.
Darius the Great is a story about a American Persian teen named Darius and his time spent in Iran for the first time visiting his mom’s side of the family. The story follows him as he makes his first ever true friend Sorhab, struggles to connect with his family and culture that he had been so distant from, deal with his depression, and tries to salvage whatever can pass as a positive relationship with his father. The book has little sudden plot twists and is far from action packed but that’s part of what makes it so enjoyable. The style of writing perfectly encapsulates the slow confusion that comes with trying to find yourself.
TLDR: Darius the Great Is Not Okay is a must read for anyone and everyone!
