Reviews

A Very Large Expanse of Sea, by Tahereh Mafi

mdedinsky's review

4.0

Hm. I don’t really know how I feel about this book. Maybe I should come back to this later and not .2 seconds after finishing It. Honestly It was such an easy and quick read. Very interesting story and opened up a look into racist America and what It was like to be a Muslim in America after 9/11.

But It was also about high school love. I felt a little silly going back in time and getting into a high school romance. It just felt like 16 year old me would have really enjoyed it. However, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t get into it and remember what It was like to fall in love at such a simple and innocent time. The girl who read twilight and loved It came out a little strongly here.

Overall good book. I’m surprised It was Longlisted for the National Book Award but It did really do a good job of capturing first love and more importantly, inviting readers into what post 9/11 looked/s like to middle-eastern and asian Americans. Racism at the level of kids. It shedding light on my privileges.

Also shout out to Rikhia if you see this. I looked up this book at the bookstore and saw you read It which pulled the trigger to my purchasing It. Thanks bud. Miss you!

bajammies's review against another edition

5.0

Imagine zipping through a book so fast your face gets whiplash. Imagine grinning and gasping, “devastating” one chapter and the next sobbing and wheezing “devastating”. Imagine no longer being able to tell the difference between romance and sorrow because you accidentally let a book ruin your life. Idk if my quote shared from kindle to goodreads or not, but just in case, “‘fuck this town,’ he said.”

pammie's review

lighthearted reflective sad 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

3.75

rikana93's review

3.0

This book was incredibly powerful and heartbreaking. Even though I didn't find the love story very fresh, unique, or interesting, or the high school very engaging, I would highly recommend this book for,the ways in which it explored racism, portrayed a Muslim female lead, and explored an interracial relationship. I appreciated the representation of a strong family and the incorporation of breakdancing. It was a wonderful, if bitterweet and heavy at times, quick read.

kkxmac's review

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-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? No

5.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Religious bigotry, Xenophobia, Bullying, Islamophobia, and Racism

julia03's review against another edition

emotional informative inspiring medium-paced

4.25

lovelyowlsbooks's review

3.5

a book that well and truly gets me. that voiced my thoughts and put it into words and on paper. tahareh has made me feel understood and vocalised my opinions, concerns and deepest thoughts. I never thought a book could do that. or how well I'd align with it. it has left me speechless.

arodriguez232's review

4.0

My frail heart. I loved this book so much. It was heartbreaking, but such an important read. I loved reading from the main character’s perspective. I loved all of the characters and felt super connected to everyone. Also, I would kill for Ocean.

zsonemeth's review against another edition

3.0

 

A really good book, with super cringe break dancing scenes.

 

woollyworm's review

3.0

'wow' is used 44 times
wow wow wow wow wow wow wow wow wow wow wow wow wow wow wow wow wow wow wow wow wow wow wow wow wow wow wow wow wow wow wow wow wow wow wow wow wow wow wow wow wow wow wow wow
(sarcastically, mostly)