Everything Sad Is Untrue – Daniel Nayeri
“Memories are stories we tell ourselves. What if we are telling ourselves lies?”
Anyone who has spent time around a 12-year-old knows they are full fantastical stories, many rooted in wishful thinking or outright fabrication. So, when Khosrou (Daniel) stands in front of his classmates to share his family’s history — which includes Iranian kings, evil uncles, murder and betrayal — they are, naturally, skeptical.
Yet, within each story — some true and others leveraging Persian myths and legends for effect — is the sometimes funny, sometimes heartbreaking journey of a boy navigating the complexities of immigration and acclimation in America.
While marketed as middle grade, this memoir transcends the young adult genre with its matter-of-fact honesty and subtle lessons about tolerance, faith and perseverance.
Just like Scheherazade, Nayeri uses storytelling for survival. Forced to flee Iran after his mother converts to Christianity, the family — mother, son and daughter — spend a year transient before being granted asylum in the United States. His father, a dentist and drug dealer, stayed in Iran and quickly started a new life.
On the surface these are heavy and depressing topics, but Nayeri doesn’t paint himself as a victim. Rather, as a hero on a quest. His memories, a mixture of typical pre-teen hijinks and fractured family dynamics, serve as a mechanism for him to process trauma and also to bridge cultural gaps with his peers.
There are many instances of racism, violence and persecution — both in Iran and America — but Daniel’s resilient spirit shines through. He somehow balances humor and solemnity in a way that appeals to both adults and younger readers while encouraging people to expand their horizons and not live in absolutes.
While I’m sure some of the worst details were left out, Nayeri presented a picture of life as a refugee that we often don’t see. There are moments that are absolutely normal — making friends, playing soccer, etc. — mixed with the dread of knowing that your future lies in the hands of bureaucracy and strangers. He doesn’t dwell on these bleak realities, which made them more powerful.
I was hesitant to pick this up out of fear it would be a heavy-handed morality tale, but this was wholly unique, offering valuable lessons on empathy, self-acceptance and the courage to embrace the stories that make us who we are. This should be required reading in every classroom.
The author narrated the audiobook, and while I usually don’t like it when non-professionals are behind the microphone, Nayeri was delightful. It was easy to transport myself to the places he spoke so vividly about.
Rating (story): 4/5 stars
Rating (narration): 4/5 stars
Format: Audiobook (library loan)
Dates read: March 26 – March 30, 2024
Multi-tasking: Okay. The writing and narration are solid, but there are frequent time jumps, lots of characters and exposition, so if you aren’t paying close attention it’s easy to lose track of what’s happening.
