The Story of the Story

7/6/2020

Everything Sad is Untrue: (a true story) by Daniel Nayeri

The stories aren't the thing. The thing is the story of the story.

Like Scheherazade, Nayeri has a gift. He weaves a thousand and one tales into an opulent Persian tapestry: a story of mythology and memoir, of lineage and loss. A story that is as true as what you see with your own eyes and as real as what you cannot see.

The saga begins: a ten-year-old Iranian refugee stands up in an Oklahoma schoolroom and tells classmates his story, his history.

There are so many things going on in this narrative. Several pages are devoted to considerations of poop. It should not be surprising. This is not some esoteric philosophical treatise, although there are ample references to God and religion, anxiety and resilience, dignity and prejudice. At its core, it is a story of basic human needs. It's a story of survival. Nayeri lays bare his heart, his devotion to his mother, his complicated relationship with his father. It’s a guidebook for navigating a strange western culture and for methodically escaping the cruelty of others. It’s all of it.

Readers will note that the narrative does not move in a linear fashion. There are spirals which move forward only to fall back, then spin forward again. All are encompassed within a slowly revolving story arc. It sounds a bit messy, but the story threads are easy to follow.

Here’s the wonder of Everything Sad is Untrue: (a true story). It’s now a part of me. Khosrou and Sima and Mrs. Miller and Mr. Sheep Sheep have little story spirals spinning within my personal story circle.

Years ago I heard Nayeri speak to a group of teens, sharing tales of wonder that kept his audience enthralled. I have never forgotten listening to this master storyteller. Consequently I was a bit apprehensive about reading this book. Could the printed page measure up to the magic of a live performance?

The answer is an emphatic YES. This is a book like no other. It's like claiming a seat in that Oklahoma classroom and being transported to a world that is somehow familiar and yet one that you never knew existed. YES. Read the book. However, if you have the opportunity to hear the author share a story in real life, don't miss it.

My Travel Kit

Below are a few of my side excursions as I traversed Nayeri’s story landscape. I wanted to know how to pronounce Khosrou. Yes, I know that it is impossible to say it correctly, but I need some approximation to hear in my mind as I read. I was intrigued by the book's title with its reference to Lord of the Rings. Here's the quote. Iran. I needed a map for this. Now, of course, I want to visit Isfahan.