Summary

The story begins in tea shop where Darius—the teenage, Persian-American protagonist of Darius the Great is Not Okay—works. From the outset of the novel, tea assumes a significant role in his life and serves as his strongest connection to Iran. During his shift, some of his classmates, whom Darius refers to as Soulless Minions of Orthodoxy, visit the shop. Though they hassle Darius and call him “D-Bag,” his boss remains oblivious. He cares more about whether Darius provided good customer service than whether the customers he served were kind to him in return.

After berating Darius, the Soulless Minions of Orthodoxy vandalize his bike, compromising his ride home. Consequently, Darius is forced to ask his father for a drive. Their tense car ride conveys a deep strain in their relationship, which Darius claims results from his own inadequacy. While Stephen is practically...