MMGM: The Story of the Story: A Review of Everything Sad is Untrue

 

Perhaps because I lived in two countries very different from the U.S., I’m always on the lookout for books that give that same immersive experience, but from my cozy reading chair. When a dear friend recommended Everything Sad is Untrue (a true story) by Daniel Nayeri, I was looking forward to reading a memoir about a topic I've never seen in middle grade: the challenges an Iranian family faces after a mother’s conversion to Christianity.

If you love novels or memoirs where you feel you’ve walked a hundred miles with a character, like Okay for Now by Gary Schmidt, Red Scarf Girl by Ji-li Jiang, or The Genuis Under the Table by Eugene Yelchin, you might treasure Everything Sad is Untrue (a true story). And if you loved 1,001 Nights (or its retelling, Shadow Spinner by Susan Fletcher), you will be enchanted by how Daniel weaves seemingly unrelated threads into a beautiful story.

Synopsis: 

Daniel (whose Persian name is Khosrou) is a twelve-year-old refugee living in Edmond, Oklahoma. Told in a somewhat stream-of-consciousness style, Daniel shares his memories the way people often tell family stories—one memory leading naturally to another. His stories of his parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents are interwoven with myths and stories of Persia. He also relates his life in Oklahoma and how his memories feel like a patchwork quilt, stitched together from stories, fragments, and things he can only partly remember. By the time I learned about his mother’s conversion and why the family had to flee Iran, I couldn’t put the book down.

Why this story stayed with me:

1.    Although the book was a little hard to follow at first, all the early backstory about his family and their Persian ancestors truly was important for the last half of the book to pack an emotional punch.
 
2.    One aspect that stood out to me was the risks Daniel's family faced after his mother converted to Christianity. When asked why she became a Christian, she says, "Because it's true." But Daniel says:

 “It’s true and it’s more valuable than seven million dollars in gold coins, and thousands of acres of Persian countryside…and even maybe your life…My mom wouldn’t have made the trade otherwise.” 

(p. 196)

3.   I keep thinking about how, despite all the hardships that they encounter (and Daniel/Khosrou and his family endure more than most North Americans can imagine), they still had hope. This shows how there is meaning and purpose in life, even in suffering.

4.  I appreciated that Daniel tells his family's story honestly. The people he loves most are shown as real people, with both strengths and flaws.

5.  Summing up this book in a few bullet points doesn’t do it justice. 

Like Daniel says, “The thing is the story of the story. The spending of time…Look how much you know about me.” (p. 301) 

I felt like when I closed the book, I was saying goodbye to another world and a family I knew well.


Reading Guide: This book would appeal to kids 12 and up. Content note: There are descriptions of bodily functions, blood, and injuries. There is mention of drug smuggling, infidelity, divorce, attempted murder, threatening torture, and extreme bullying.

Max’s take (out of a 5 bone scale)

Max, the Reading Dog

 

 

 

 

 

 🦴🦴🦴

No dogs! But Daniel tells stories the way I chase squirrels—one adventure leads to another. And I loved reading about Mr. Sheep Sheep. He reminded me of Lambie, my stuffed lamb who unfortunately was loved a little too much.

 

 

Notes from the Front Porch:

Have you read a book like Everything Sad is Untrue that left you with a deeper understanding of someone else? 

Check out other fabulous middle grades at Always in the Middle!  

  

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