I would be lying if I said a beautiful book cover hasn’t convinced me to pick up a book and read it. The cover and title of this book were intriguing to me, and that’s why I initially looked into it. But when I found out what Everything Sad is Untrue was about, I was sold. I I love reading memoirs/autobiographical novels occasionally. I think it’s important (and fascinating, devastating, and inspiring) to read other people’s first hand experiences. Especially when those experiences differ from your own.
Synopsis
Daniel Nayeri was born in/spent much of his childhood in Iran. Because his mother converted to Christianity, it was no longer safe for them to stay there. This is his story of getting out of Iran, and ending up in a small town in Oklahoma. Most of this story is focused on his life in Oklahoma as a teenager. He describes the challenges he faced adjusting to the many changes that brought with it.
Daniel also talks about the miracles that he and his family experienced that allowed them to leave Iran unharmed.
Thoughts
This book was really interesting for me because most of the refugee stories I have read focus on the circumstances that force them to leave, and the journey to get to safety. I really think it’s so important to read those stories. (I highly recommend A Hope More Powerful Than the Sea.) This was the first one I’ve read that was focused on readjusting to life in a new country/culture. I loved learning about what parts of American culture were shocking to him, what he liked, how he was treated by different people, etc.
I think if everyone took the time to hear people’s stories and try to comprehend what they have been through (and continue to go through), there would be a lot less intolerance in regards to migrants and refugees.
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