67 pages • 2 hours read
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A Very Large Expanse of Sea by Tahereh Mafi follows 16-year-old Shirin, a Muslim girl in post-9/11 America, as she navigates racism and intolerance in her new school. Struggling to protect herself behind emotional barriers, her life changes when she develops a hesitant romance with Ocean, a popular white boy, despite societal pressures and challenges they face together. The novel addresses themes of racial intolerance and anti-Muslim bigotry.
Tahereh Mafi's A Very Large Expanse of Sea offers a poignant portrayal of post-9/11 American life through the eyes of a Muslim teenager. Readers appreciate its emotional depth, authenticity, and representation. Some critiques highlight pacing issues and predictability. Overall, it’s a powerful, engaging narrative on identity and resilience.
Fans of contemporary YA novels dealing with identity and prejudice will enjoy A Very Large Expanse of Sea by Tahereh Mafi. Comparable to books like Angie Thomas's The Hate U Give and Samira Ahmed's Love, Hate & Other Filters, this book appeals to readers interested in post-9/11 Muslim-American experiences.
Relationships: Family
Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality
Relationships: Friendship
Auto/Biographical Fiction
Realistic Fiction
Modern Classic Fiction
Race / Racism
September 11 Attacks