Darius the Great is Not Okay (January 2023) Buddy Read Discussion - Brianna & Edith

[mina, Group/Buddy Reads Procrastinator]

Welcome to the Darius the Great Is Not Okay Buddy Read Discussion thread! This thread officially opens on January 18th and anyone can join at any time. Please keep in mind that spoilers are allowed in this thread but only up to the group's current reading place. Do not spoil the book if you've read further than the group. Any extra days can be used to catch up!

Each day we will be reading by chapters or page numbers. Page numbers are an approximation based on the hardcover or paperback that is the default on Goodreads. The suggested Buddy Read discussion schedule is as follows:

Week of 01/18
January 18th: The Chiefest and Greatest of Calamities - A Non-Passive Failure
January 19th: Intermix Ratio - The History of American-Iranian Relations
January 20th: A Holodeck Vision - The Kolinahr Discipline
January 21st: Bette Davis Eyes - A Tactical Withdrawal
January 22nd: The Towers of Silence - The Age Bahramis

Week of 01/23
January 23rd: Magnetic Containment - Darius the Great

PARTICIPANTS
~ Brianna
~ Edith

[Brianna]

day one

Overall I'm interested but not captivated as of yet. The writing style has a very specific flow that is a bit hard for me to get into. I enjoy Darius and feel like I can relate a little bit and remember those days of high school. I'm curious to see what happens with Chip. I wonder if Darius will change their mind about him.

[Edith, Group/Buddy Reads Procrastinator]

Haven’t started yet, a little behind on my other buddy read. Hopefully I’ll be able to get some reading in tonight though!

[Brianna]

No worries or rush! I typically fall behind on buddy reads.

[Edith, Group/Buddy Reads Procrastinator]

hey! so I've caught up a little bit, not quite as much as I'd hoped, but it's something! I understand now what you mean about the writing style. it reminds me a lot of John Green but times 10, if that makes sense. I'm also not truly engrossed in the story. not sure if it's because it's YA and it's been a minute since I've read a book of that genre, or because of the writing style and the storyline.
will be back later though. I'm hoping to get a lot more reading in this weekend :)

[Edith, Group/Buddy Reads Procrastinator]

Up to Standard Parental Maneuver Alpha/ pg. 118

(view spoiler)[ I constantly feel bad for Darius throughout the book. Well, maybe not feel bad, but I feel his pain and sadness through the pages. The author has a unique way of conveying Darius' emotions in such a simple way that makes me appreciate his writing style more.

Stephen Kellner makes me so mad sometimes. He's so insensitive, like when he suggests Darius to eat a salad and in turn makes Darius not want to eat at all. (Subway airport scene.) Or the fact that he thinks the solution to stop being bullied is to act normal and fit in instead, as if Darius is some kind of embarrassment you know?

Sohrab and the other other guys making fun of Darius and his body also made me pretty upset. I can't imagine how Darius deals with it (haven't read any further yet), but the dude is like 16, I can't imagine the humiliation he must have felt! I remember what being 16 was like and I can assure you I would've definitely ran home and cried lol. Poor Darius :( (hide spoiler)]

[Edith, Group/Buddy Reads Procrastinator]

So, almost done with the book! I've gotta say, it's completely grown on me and I love the story. Sohrab and Darius friendship is so wholesome....I want a sohrab of my own lol

[Brianna]

I’m through day 3 - haven’t picked up my kindle in a bit but will be working on finishing it in the next few days and will update my thoughts soon!

[Edith, Group/Buddy Reads Procrastinator]

No worries! I always fall behind on my buddy reads so I totally get it. I'll be here, I'm curious to know what you'll think

[Brianna]

I am up through Jan 22.
I’m still not a huge fan of the writing style/flow - it still feels disjointed.

I like Darius and I also really like his friend. It feels like a very pure kind of friendship.
I also enjoy how honest it feels with the struggles of being a teenager in an environment that is completely new and struggling with the fitting in and the trying to find your place.

[Edith, Group/Buddy Reads Procrastinator]

yes I agree! (sorry I've been mia, life got in the way) Sohrab is like a little angel for Darius that he didn't know he needed. I like that their friendship is so raw and they don't have any walls between them, you know?

I think it's been my favorite book this year. I haven't read many this year to begin with haha, but you're right--it's very simplistic and the writing style is a little off putting. regardless, I don't think it would have the same effect if it were written otherwise. i think it's going to stay at the top of my list for a while. I was surprised by how much I liked it honestly