Reviews

A Very Large Expanse of Sea by Tahereh Mafi

ilsek's review

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emotional tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

amaldae's review against another edition

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1.0

Shallow, and the prose is incredibly repetitive.

wordsbetweenlines's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional hopeful tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5


Set in 2002, our main character is a Muslim female in America. One year after 9/11. She proudly wears a Hijab and this story follows along with how she is treated. 

I completely felt how autobiographical this was, it felt real. You can tell it’s based off of personal experiences and that only enhances the story.

I think the representation in this book is incredible and could feel like a lifeline to the communities it represents. Beautiful and heartbreaking  as it reminds us of how far we still have to go. 

On top of all of that, the characters and storyline are very compelling. 

katherine_7's review

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4.0

4.5 stars! Really good! It weaves important messages into a cute romance. It actually taught me a lot about Muslim culture and its powerful women. My respect to all you ladies!

lottie1803's review

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challenging emotional hopeful lighthearted reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

smarcellus's review

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Will finish at some point. Just not in the mood right now. 

courtld90's review

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challenging emotional reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

I really try to find books if they are about 9/11 and its aftermath that focuses on the impact of those impacted. This was one of the first books I've encountered that provided insight to the lives (though fictionalized in this account) of Muslims post 9/11. I found it so enlightening as this was clearly not my experience in the world post 9/11. It can be hard to read in parts due to the racism and sometimes passive racism that Shirin has to deal with daily.

lightmakbet's review against another edition

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1.0

1,5/5

kompletnie nie przemówiła do mnie ta książka, zakończenie było beznadziejne, tak samo rozwój sytuacji. Na najważniejsze tematy autorka poświęcała niecały akapit tekstu, za to było wiele informacji niekoniecznie potrzebnych w lekturze. Główna bohaterka była niesamowicie płytka i irytująca całą książkę, a jej końcowa "przemiana" została ujęta w zaledwie kilku zdaniach. Jedyna dobrą rzeczą tej książki byli rodzice Shirin i Ocean, którego postać jednak kompletnie mnie załamała przy końcu. Nie pasowało mi to ani do jego osobowości, ani do charakteru, który autorka projektowała w poprzednich rozdziałach. Przynajmniej upewniłem się, że styl pisani autorki niewiele się zmienić od momentu, gdy przeczytałem "Dotyk Julii" i dalej w mojej opinii jest beznadziejny, płytki i niesamowicie sztuczny, a Tahereh Mafi w swoich powieściach skupia się jedynie na wątkach romantycznych z źle wykreowanymi postaciami.

kbeeks15's review

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5.0

This book was incredible to me. Beautiful and heartbreaking and so relevant to society currently. Read it.

pridepreujdice's review

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3.0

3.5/5 stars