Everything Sad Is Untrue

(A True Story)

By: Daniel Nayeri

Narrated by: Daniel Nayeri

At the front of a middle-school classroom in Oklahoma, a boy named Khosrou (whom everyone calls "Daniel") stands, trying to tell a story. His story. But no one believes a word he says. To them he is a dark-skinned, hairy-armed boy with a big butt whose lunch smells funny; who makes things up and talks about poop too much.

But Khosrou's stories, stretching back years, and decades, and centuries, are beautiful, and terrifying, from the moment his family fled Iran in the middle of the night with the secret police moments behind them, back to the sad, cement refugee camps of Italy...and further back to the fields near the river Aras, where rain-soaked flowers bled red like the yolk of the sunset had burst over everything, and further back still to the jasmine-scented city of Isfahan.

Like Scheherazade in a hostile classroom, Daniel weaves a tale to save his own life: to stake his claim to the truth. And it is (a true story).

©2020 Daniel Nayeri (P)2020 Listening Library

must read must hear

every American should read this understand the plight of all immigrants no matter where they come from. This book was truly motivating I have already read twice

Mesmerizing

Funny sad and moving all at once. Highly recommended. Read in the author’s own voice.

A refugee’s story from a child’s perspective

This book’s storytelling style is unique - something I had never experienced, but mesmerizing. Brought such an appreciation and understanding of the hardships refugees go through and the pain of leaving a life behind to start new. So neat to hear it from the perspective of Daniel as a child.

Incredible story

Hard to put this one down. Excellent weaving of his life in different countries. Gives you hope in a difficult world.

Sincere and poignant

A wonderful memoir describing the inner life of a young immigrant. Overflowing with lessons for young and old about the universal desire for love, safety and belonging. The author’s narration is perfect. I’ll definitely read more of his work.

Fascinating story

I really enjoyed this book. Well told and challenges your thinking. Their are stories about food and poop, and the general perspective of a middle schooler, which keeps things entertaining. It is worth reading, or listening to.

Tell it like it is

I love this perspective of story telling. It’s awe inspiring and blazes a trail for future stories to be told.

A great listen

Thank you for something worth listening too. I really enjoyed your performance and every story.

Open your heart and you will change

Some books are twizzlers - not worth much more than the pleasure during the consumption. Some are Krystal Burgers - not worth anything and you wonder why you continued consuming after the first minute. Others are pizzas - both pleasurable and providing something worthwhile to you. And then the occasional book manages to be Persian Fesenjan - delicious and fun, nutritious, and actually changes the way you see life. Because you cannot eat a delicious new food from a foreign cuisine and not begin to wonder about the chef and his culture. I am different because of Daniel. I have more hope, and a desire to listen. I want to know people’s stories and be one of the few who showed true hospitality throughout his story. Thank you, Daniel.

Second read-through

I read Everything Sad is Untrue several months ago and thought I had not enjoyed a book this much in many years. I wanted to read it again recently but didn’t have time so listened to this recording of it read by its magnificent author, Daniel Nayeri. It is a true delight!