Summary
Everything Sad Is Untrue by Daniel Nayeri is a young adult novel following 12-year-old Khosrou, also known as Daniel, an Iranian refugee adjusting to life in Oklahoma. A work of autofiction, the book blends Nayeri's real-life experiences with Persian myths, focusing on themes of memory, identity, and the immigrant experience. Its nonlinear narrative explores Daniel’s struggles with reconciling his Iranian heritage with his new reality in the United States. Throughout, Nayeri emphasizes the role of storytelling in connecting people, facing fear, and fostering empathy.
Plot
Everything Sad Is Untrue is told from the perspective of 12-year-old Khosrou, who becomes known as Daniel after fleeing Iran. The story centers on his family's escape from their homeland due to his mother's conversion from Islam to Christianity, which puts them in danger. Their journey takes them to a refugee camp in Italy before migrating to Oklahoma, where Daniel faces being perceived as an outsider.
Daniel blends memories of life in Iran with the challenges of adapting to America. He shares stories of his great-grandmother losing her inheritance and his grandmother facing a difficult marriage. These narratives reflect the refugee experience as Daniel tries to preserve his heritage.
In Oklahoma, Daniel confronts bullying and prejudice. His perceived "weird" lunches and tales are often dismissed as fantasies. These stories provide him with solace and connect him to Persian culture. His narrative style recalls the ancient tales of Scheherazade from 1,001 Nights, demonstrating the enduring power of storytelling to maintain identity in the face of adversity.
Themes
Immigration
In Everything Sad Is Untrue, Daniel Nayeri examines the immigrant experience from the perspective of 12-year-old Khosrou (or Daniel), an Iranian refugee struggling to adapt to life in Oklahoma. The narrative depicts the challenges immigrants face as they manage cultural dislocation and strive to maintain their identity.
Sima, Khosrou's mother, plays a central role as she embodies the immigrant experience through her resilience. She decides to flee Iran after converting to Christianity, driven by deep spiritual conviction. This decision exemplifies the sacrifices often required by immigration. The family then enters the uncertain world of asylum seekers, marked by their stay in a refugee camp in Italy. The camp represents both deprivation and hope for acceptance in a new land.
