Reviews

A Very Large Expanse of Sea by Tahereh Mafi

ificouldreadallday's review

challenging emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

legarou's review

5.0

I love Tahereh Mafi and I think she describes inner struggles and becoming strong and independent all very well, I enjoyed this very much!

esiegle28's review

4.0

4.5 stars
It’s books like this that make me love reading

emealya's review against another edition

1.0

2.75
ta książka zrobiła się bardzo nijaka w mojej głowie, nie pamiętam nawet o czym dokładnie była


edit: nie zliczę który raz zmieniam opinię na jej temat, jest do dupy

anny_lusp21's review against another edition

fast-paced

5.0

fashioniq64's review

5.0

If only we could put ourselves in others shoes, the world would be a much better place. Such a great read about love, tolerance and understanding.

mirte701's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring sad fast-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

4.5

clarasreadings's review against another edition

emotional reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

for me this book was the definition of "good idea, bad execution". the premise was good, the writing not so much, i struggled with it from chapter one and considered dnf-ing because of it. i think my biggest issue was the amount of curse words, i understand the protagonist is a very angry teenager, who's totally allowed to feel that way considering everything she goes through. and i might've eaten this up if i read it when i was a teenager myself, but at my old age, it was not my style.

marissam1813's review

4.0

4.5 stars

dhilas_archive's review against another edition

5.0

Tehereh Mafi really has a brilliant way of showing us what it feels like to be a Muslim girl in a predominantly white American high school, especially in this case was also after 9/11. It describes Shirin's frustration about her situation in such an easy way to understand but still shows the great extent of all the hatred she has to endure. The high school romance part is also well done. It’s light, awkward, filled with teenage angst and innocence. Some people might find Shirin's worry infuriating, but you'll understand if you get the bigger picture of what Shirin has gone through.

My favorite part is how Tehereh explains why Shirin keeps wearing her hijab as simply as it feels good and it's a personal preference. Choosing breakdancing, which I thought a little bit weird at first, is a great way to show that a hijab doesn't limit someone's activity, or dream as well.
A fantastic read overall!