A review by aformeracceleratedreader
A Very Large Expanse of Sea, by Tahereh Mafi

emotional fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated

4.0

This def was a little tough to read for me as someone who was raised Muslim, with a brown immigrant parent, pre and post 9/11. I was only a little kid at the time and I have never worn hijab but I still faced a lot of Islamophobia and racism growing up. I can't imagine what it would've been like to have been a teen or adult immediately after the events of 9/11 especially one who wore hijab. I related a lot to Shirin and her experiences throughout the book. One example that really stood out was how throughout middle school, high school, and even college I was the token and put on the spot like Shirin was in her one class. The romance was cute enough but I didn't feel any strong feelings one way or another outside of the rage over the assholery of people viewing/treating the interracial/interreligious relationship (which I feel super strongly about because it mirrors my parents relationship and how people viewed/treated them. even to this day, they'll get a sideeye from some people).
Loved the breakdancing group though 
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