Teenage Darius is Iranian-American living in Portland, Oregon. He was named for a great Persian king, but he certainly does not feel worthy of such a grand title. He is overweight, geeky, and struggles to fit into his high school. He works at a tea shop at the mall, and takes medication to treat his clinical depression. He doesn't really feel entitled to be depressed; after all, nothing bad has happened to him. When his family takes a trip to Iran to see his maternal grandparents, Darius worries about not being Persian enough. While there, he makes his first friend, plays soccer, participates in Muslim and Zoroastrian rituals, and searches for belonging and acceptance, just as he is.
The characters and settings of this book are so richly represented, and they do a phenomenal job of representing the story of Darius, who straddles two cultures and two countries. At home, Darius does not feel completely at ease, and feels like his younger sister is the favorite child of the family, and the one who inherited and learned much more of the Persian culture. Cultural details, like the description of brewing tea at the mall versus the authentic Persian way, highlight traits that Darius strives to emulate. When Darius is in Iran, the setting is thoroughly detailed, including rich descriptions of delicious meals and treats. The historical sites visited by Darius and his family represent the embracing of the past and the deep roots that the title character seeks.
Adib Khorram is an authentic and qualified writer of this topic, as he based many of Darius's experiences upon his own. He is Iranian American and grew up in Kansas City. He dealt with backlash following the September 11 attacks, in which he and others of Middle Eastern descent faced discrimination.
The themes of Darius the Great is Not Okay are self-discovery and the accepting of one's identity. Many teenagers like Darius are struggling to fit in and figure out who they are. This book deals with Darius's identity as a Middle Eastern-American, as well as his struggles with mental health. Adib Khorram addresses the negative perceptions of mental illness and depression, as well as those of Middle Eastern people in the media. While Darius experiences bullying and is often hard on himself, the theme is that we should accept ourselves for who we are and seek out those who appreciate us for our whole beings, including our "flaws" and quirks. It is okay to not have everything figured out. These themes are universal and will certainly resonate with high school students of all backgrounds. This interview with the author discusses some of the inspiration behind Darius the Great is Not Okay and Khorram's own background that inspired the book.
Darius the Great is Not Okay is an amazing book that won the William C. Morris Debut YA Award. It is heartfelt and hilarious. It made me laugh and cry. The way in which Darius talked about his father, to whom he referred exclusively using his full name, Stephen Kellner, was so real and powerful. Their relationship, with Darius believing he was failing to meet his father's expectations, their bonding time watching Star Trek, and their little-discussed common trait of depression, was treated with such care by Khorram. The highs and lows of the characters are specific and detailed enough to allow the reader to see Darius and Stephen Kellner as authentic people. At the same time, they are also relatable and will resonate with teenagers struggling to find their identity and navigate familial relationships. According to a starred Kirkus review, "Khorram’s debut novel is filled with insight into the lives of teens, weaving together the reality of living with mental illness while also dealing with identity and immigration politics."
Darius the Great is Not Okay lends itself to many classroom possibilities. As demonstrated in this reading guide, there are many questions that could prompt a deep and meaningful discussion, including some dealing with cultural identity and sexuality, along with issues like chauvinism and the stigma of mental illness. In addition to the discussion questions, the guide also includes a glossary of Farsi terms, as well as a reference page for Star Trek information to understand the many references in the book. While reading the book, students in an English class could represent different Farsi terms with a definition, picture, and reference from the book. After reading, the class could engage in a discussion using some of the questions provided, and make personal connections between Darius's experiences and their own.
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