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thebookisharcher 's review for:
A Very Large Expanse of Sea
by Tahereh Mafi
Where to start? I wish I'd read this earlier in high school. I wish books like this could've been around forever, but... you know, better late than never. I'll even go as far as to say that at the very least, just the fact that this book, which touches on –dare I say it– sensitive and relatable topics, ones that the majority of people don't feel comfortable talking about either out of fear or ignorance, has been published at all... well, it honestly makes me hopeful about the human race.
This book makes me feel seen. I don't wear hijab myself, but I know all too well about the insecurity, the anger, the fear, the utter hopelessness Shirin feels throughout the whole story. It's all too relatable and hits close to home. I don't live in the US, but I can only imagine how it must be like as a Muslim to live there after 9/11, even now. To have a Muslim teenager being represented in this way, just like any other teenager really, who even – gasp – curses like a sailor and kisses (white) boys and enjoys it, is a breath of fresh air. To me, it is exceptionally compelling to see/read how fleshed out the characters are, even secondary ones like Navid and Coach Hart (frighteningly accurate representation of how hateful people can be when confronted with something they don't know, yet already assume it's bad for them).
Anyway, long story short, I devoured this in four days and loved it. Not to say it was absolutely perfect since the writing style bothers me at times, but I suppose that's how teenagers think and speak...? In the end, I'd absolutely recommend this to everyone. After seeing encouraging moves from the entertainment industry to make sure everyone gets represented (Asian, Black, Hispanic, etc etc) these last few years, I'm very glad this book came along to make sure that we also get our turn. So... thank you, Tahereh Mafi. Thank you for making me feel seen, heard, and understood.
This book makes me feel seen. I don't wear hijab myself, but I know all too well about the insecurity, the anger, the fear, the utter hopelessness Shirin feels throughout the whole story. It's all too relatable and hits close to home. I don't live in the US, but I can only imagine how it must be like as a Muslim to live there after 9/11, even now. To have a Muslim teenager being represented in this way, just like any other teenager really, who even – gasp – curses like a sailor and kisses (white) boys and enjoys it, is a breath of fresh air. To me, it is exceptionally compelling to see/read how fleshed out the characters are, even secondary ones like Navid and Coach Hart (frighteningly accurate representation of how hateful people can be when confronted with something they don't know, yet already assume it's bad for them).
Anyway, long story short, I devoured this in four days and loved it. Not to say it was absolutely perfect since the writing style bothers me at times, but I suppose that's how teenagers think and speak...? In the end, I'd absolutely recommend this to everyone. After seeing encouraging moves from the entertainment industry to make sure everyone gets represented (Asian, Black, Hispanic, etc etc) these last few years, I'm very glad this book came along to make sure that we also get our turn. So... thank you, Tahereh Mafi. Thank you for making me feel seen, heard, and understood.