So, I'm not sure how I feel about this. It didn't wow me like I expected it to, as the hyped reviews lead me to believe. But I also definitely didn't like it. I liked it, I did, but I felt like I missed something that everyone else saw, but I didn't. I did listen to this book on audio, which may have made me feel distanced from the story more than I would if I were reading it in text format. I do think the author did a fantastic job of detailing Iran and making the reader get to know the setting, and see it through Darius' eyes. I loved being able to hear the character speak Farsi. I also think the book did a great job of showing mental health. I think, overall, this book just felt quiet, which isn't really a bad thing. What I mean, is that the book just felt real. It was just focused on showing the realness of Darius, his family, friendships, and his time in Iran, and it just slowly took us through that. That doesn't mean that nothing happened that picked up the pace, but it just felt quiet and I don't know how else to really explain that quietness.
I was surprised that there wasn't any LGBT+ content because I remember seeing this book on so many lists, but I understand why that wasn't there. From what I hear, Darius is gay, but is questioning in this book.
Notes from after reading Darious the Great Deserves Better:
I've since read the sequel, and I really think my mood must have affected the reading experience of this book. Either that, or the audiobook did make me feel distant. Because I can definitely say that I LOVED the sequel and I sped through it. I can also say that book two certainly has more LGBT+ content. But I think what really makes these two books strong is that they are so character-centric, especially focused on Darius, that it just feels real.
I was surprised that there wasn't any LGBT+ content because I remember seeing this book on so many lists, but I understand why that wasn't there. From what I hear, Darius is gay, but is questioning in this book.
Notes from after reading Darious the Great Deserves Better:
I've since read the sequel, and I really think my mood must have affected the reading experience of this book. Either that, or the audiobook did make me feel distant. Because I can definitely say that I LOVED the sequel and I sped through it. I can also say that book two certainly has more LGBT+ content. But I think what really makes these two books strong is that they are so character-centric, especially focused on Darius, that it just feels real.