A review by simon_reads03
A Very Large Expanse of Sea by Tahereh Mafi
4.0
This was a delightful read. I think I underestimated how much this book was going to make me feel. I was on the edge of my seat, I was enraged, I was moved, I fell in love with the characters in a fairly short amount of time. The topic of racism and discrimination is one that is prevalent is many stories, but here, Tahereh Mafi depicts it in such a way that is extremely engaging, narratively beautiful, and plain serious all at the same time.
We are seeing the world through Shirin’s eyes, she is a teenager, she knows what she knows, she filters things the way she does because that’s what her instincts tell her. She is ultimately a teenager, a small seed in a sea of monsters, and nevertheless her narrative is wonderful.
I wonder how many children, how many teens, and even adults will read this and see themselves in Shirin’s shoes. How this will help them. How this will tell them that it’s okay to confront your perspective, how it’s okay to love yourself for yourself, even when it seems like the easiest way is to do otherwise.
Love and acceptance breaks all barriers, all hate, all stereotypes, all walls… I think everyone should read Tahereh Mafi’s A Very Large Expanse of Sea at least once. Assign this to children in middle/high school!
A refreshing and beautiful read.
We are seeing the world through Shirin’s eyes, she is a teenager, she knows what she knows, she filters things the way she does because that’s what her instincts tell her. She is ultimately a teenager, a small seed in a sea of monsters, and nevertheless her narrative is wonderful.
I wonder how many children, how many teens, and even adults will read this and see themselves in Shirin’s shoes. How this will help them. How this will tell them that it’s okay to confront your perspective, how it’s okay to love yourself for yourself, even when it seems like the easiest way is to do otherwise.
Love and acceptance breaks all barriers, all hate, all stereotypes, all walls… I think everyone should read Tahereh Mafi’s A Very Large Expanse of Sea at least once. Assign this to children in middle/high school!
A refreshing and beautiful read.