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A review by whatkireads
A Very Large Expanse of Sea by Tahereh Mafi
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This made me so incredibly sad but I have never felt more seen in my entire life.
I don't wear a hijab, so my experience is nowhere near that of Shirin's but the blatant Islamaphobia she goes through every single day, having people police her religion to her, make assumptions to her was so painfully relatable. Her struggle with Ocean, a white boy that loves her and between Yusuf, a Muslim guy that should be the right choice was so accurately portrayed.
It pained me to see how cruel people could be, and how this sentiment only extended to Muslims, and never to other religions, because why did people feel entitled to do that specifically to us?
The way Shirin encases herself in hatred as a protective mechanism is understandable, her prickly nature and just her as a character is so incredibly strong and brave and her reasons for never giving into the racism was inspiring.
The fact that being with other people and seeing them have to defend you, and thinking that you weren't worth defending, that you weren't worth the trouble was probably what hit home to me the most.
I love Tahereh Mafi for writing this, I have always liked her work but this made me love her even more
I don't wear a hijab, so my experience is nowhere near that of Shirin's but the blatant Islamaphobia she goes through every single day, having people police her religion to her, make assumptions to her was so painfully relatable. Her struggle with Ocean, a white boy that loves her and between Yusuf, a Muslim guy that should be the right choice was so accurately portrayed.
It pained me to see how cruel people could be, and how this sentiment only extended to Muslims, and never to other religions, because why did people feel entitled to do that specifically to us?
The way Shirin encases herself in hatred as a protective mechanism is understandable, her prickly nature and just her as a character is so incredibly strong and brave and her reasons for never giving into the racism was inspiring.
The fact that being with other people and seeing them have to defend you, and thinking that you weren't worth defending, that you weren't worth the trouble was probably what hit home to me the most.
I love Tahereh Mafi for writing this, I have always liked her work but this made me love her even more
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Racial slurs, Racism, Xenophobia, and Islamophobia