An Impossible Thing to Say

By: Arya Shahi

Narrated by: Arya Shahi

Length: 5 hrs and 48 mins

Publisher's summary

The Poet X meets A Very Large Expanse of Sea in a bold novel-in-verse starring a Persian American teen navigating his first crush, his family’s post-9/11 dynamics, and the role of language in defining who we are.

“A dazzling story with a whole lot of heart. Read it.”—Michael L. Printz Award winner Daniel Nayeri, author of Everything Sad Is Untrue

Omid needs the right words to connect with his newly met grandfather and distant Iranian heritage, words to tell a special girl what she means to him and to show everyone that he truly belongs in Tucson, Arizona, the only home he’s ever known. Neither the school play’s Shakespearean English nor his parents’ Farsi seems up to the task, and it’s only when Omid delves into the rhymes and rhythms of rap music that he starts to find his voice. But even as he does so, an act of terrorism transforms familiar accents into new threats.

Then a family member disappears, and it seems everyone but Omid knows why. When words fail altogether and violence takes their place, what will Omid do next?

Praise for An Impossible Thing to Say:

• “Funny on one page, poignant on the next, and often both at the same time, this beautiful tale of a tender, bewildered, and generous teen will find its way into readers’ hearts.”—#1 New York Times bestselling writer and Newbery Medalist Linda Sue Park, author of A Long Walk to Water
• “An Impossible Thing to Say is tender, honest, and unforgettable, filled with characters that delight, verses that shine, and moments that took my breath away. Few books have ever made me feel so seen.”—Adib Khorram, award-winning author of Darius the Great Is Not Okay
• “Arya Shahi just blew the door down on how we are allowed to tell our stories. Words are clearly his jam.”—Firoozeh Dumas, New York Times bestselling author of Funny in Farsi and It Ain't So Awful, Falafel

©2023 Arya Shahi (P)2023 HarperCollins Publishers

Bravo

I laughed, I cried and I treasured every word. I remember I never appreciated rap until Arya showed me how it’s like a movement. The way he combines Shakespeare and rap and story telling, is what makes this book so impressive. I’ve known every detail of this story and lived it, but to read Omid’s version and then hear it performed by Arya brings it all together. I can see a lot of Shohreh is in me, and how Omid/ Arya is bringing much awareness of the cultural and generational gaps between us, yet the end how your family is your home! Bravo..

Amazing prose

Thoughts conveyed in descriptive and melodic verse. Enjoyed seeing into the life of Irani Americans, and how their offspring have to navigate in the world.

An incredible journey

Extremely well written in a very fun, digestible format. The connection to the characters for me was almost immediate. The story took me back to what it felt like to be in high school… all the insecurities and fun. I think there are a lot of good lessons embedded into this book and I will definitely be reading it to my kids
- Alec

An impossible thing to say by Arya Shshi

Absolute gem! Even though I knew the family, this book kept me captivated from the very
first page. I felt every emotion and story along the way. I can’t wait to hear the rest of Omid’s stories. Excellent!

Definitely recommend!

A beautiful story with a view into a family and culture that is told with humor and heart. I grew to love the family and will miss them now that I have finished the book! Bravo Omid!

Enthralling

As the author says, language does truly shape the performance of this book. It is obvious that the author is not only extremely talented in writing, but also in relaying important therapeutic concepts that can benefit both young and old. The author is an extremely talented writer, actor and songwriter. At age 66, I now have an appreciation and understanding of quality rap music, something I previously neglected giving the time of day unless it was embedded within other songs. This book is engaging, fun, culturally informative and a dramatic piece of creative art. I have true appreciation for the author, his family, his heritage, and his life journey. As an author myself, I truly understand the depth of soul that goes into writing, and bringing a book to fruition. To sum it up, I was truly enthralled from the moment I began to listen.

Great Story!

This was such a sweet story of being an awkward teenager and navigating school, girls and trying to fit in with peers and his family’s culture.
I loved the characters and I appreciated how the author added the hard things, like racism, how certain groups are “othered,” and how painful it is seeing it for the first time as a kid. Omid’s character learning how to rap rap and do Shakespeare was a very cool tie in.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and the author did a great job reading on audible.