I knew going into this book that I was going to love but I was not expecting to LOVE it. Like one of the best books I have read love it (and sorry CBB, I am handing your crown of best book of the year over to Darius). The main reason why I love it was that I understand what Darius is going through. I understand the questions and not always getting social cues and finding your best friend. I cried during the last 50 pages. I have never done that while reading a book before. I teared up when Rue died, I felt sad at the ending of The Book Thief but I never *cried*. So I can no longer call be a called a heartless wench by my best friend, even though she totally will still.
Don't read this book on an empty stomach. After a really big meal because this is the type of book that you want to read in one sitting. I almost did but work got in the way so I had to finish it the next day. But to the point that I was really trying to make is that the food descriptions are amazing. I want to eat it all and since this is contemporary I actually can!!! I am hoping to make Faludeh, a dessert made with rose water syrup and noodles made from rice or potato starch, and I love anything rose water so I have high hopes for it. And Darius has a real love of tea, though the traditional way to make Persian tea is to put cardamon which I don't exactly care for so I think we would make different types of tea; point being the love for tea is still there.
And speaking of love, this book was spoken of as a similar one to Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe. I do see the similarities, both Darius and Aristotle find friendship and themselves through the book. However, unlike Aristotle, Darius comes to the realization of how much he does love Sohrab but he doesn't really approach this to the extent that Aristotle did. But don't get me wrong the ending was heartfelt and I liked how it helped Darius with overcoming his depression. As of right now and to my knowledge, this is a standalone but there is so much room to continue Darius's story and I would love to read more about him.
Don't read this book on an empty stomach. After a really big meal because this is the type of book that you want to read in one sitting. I almost did but work got in the way so I had to finish it the next day. But to the point that I was really trying to make is that the food descriptions are amazing. I want to eat it all and since this is contemporary I actually can!!! I am hoping to make Faludeh, a dessert made with rose water syrup and noodles made from rice or potato starch, and I love anything rose water so I have high hopes for it. And Darius has a real love of tea, though the traditional way to make Persian tea is to put cardamon which I don't exactly care for so I think we would make different types of tea; point being the love for tea is still there.
And speaking of love, this book was spoken of as a similar one to Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe. I do see the similarities, both Darius and Aristotle find friendship and themselves through the book. However, unlike Aristotle, Darius comes to the realization of how much he does love Sohrab but he doesn't really approach this to the extent that Aristotle did. But don't get me wrong the ending was heartfelt and I liked how it helped Darius with overcoming his depression. As of right now and to my knowledge, this is a standalone but there is so much room to continue Darius's story and I would love to read more about him.