To my delightful surprise, I adored Darius the Great Is Not Okay. The main character, Darius Kellner, has trouble fitting in at high school, and his dad seems to think he invites his own troubles by purposely not blending in. But if loving Star Trek, having long hair, and working at a tea shop make him stand out, then so be it; Darius doesn't want to change a thing.After Darius flies around the globe to visit family in Iran, he feels just as out of place as he had back home—he doesn't speak much Farsi, he lacks the proper social customs, and the people there (family or otherwise) are resistant to understanding his mental health issues. Aside from the fantastic food, his only saving grace is Sohrab, a family friend who seems to understand Darius in ways no one else ever has.
What results is a beautifully told story that lives up to expectations for the YA contemporary genre while adding its own creative spin. Adib Khorram is a clever writer, bringing out his characters' personalities until they shine and seamlessly introducing the reader to scenarios they might not have otherwise encountered. I look forward to reading any other books by this author.
Stars: 5/5
Recommended for: Anyone interested in YA contemporaries, particularly ones touching on depression, sense of belonging, and queer issues.
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