A Very Large Expanse of Sea: A Review

By Estrella Bernal Lopez 

A Very Large Expanse of Sea by Tahereh Mafi. It was inspired by the real events of her life. It was published by HarperCollins Publishers in 2018. Tahereh Mafi is the National Book award nominated and New York Times best and USA best-selling author.

A Very Large Expanse of Sea tells the story of Shirin, a sixteen-year-old, Persian-American girl trying to settle at her new high school. Since she was little, her parents moved frequently from towns for better job opportunities. For a better neighborhood, move to a bigger house, to a better school district. But Shirin didn't like that, she thought they didn’t consider her unremarkable struggles. Because every time she begins to adapt to a new place, her parents decide to move. Which means struggling with the constant attacks from students and comments from teachers. It makes her life miserable in school. She thought everyone was a monster until she met Ocean, a basketball player. Their friendship and relationship was complicated because they were from totally different worlds. This leads to people not accepting their relationship which causes many problems.                                                                                                                                                                                        

For instance, when I started reading the book, I was kind of skeptical at first, but as I went through the chapters, I started liking it. It made me think how rude people can be, even adults. I like how she portrays Islam. How she tells the good and bad things. I do dislike the fact that she always pushes away people who want to get close to her and how she thinks everyone is a monster. But It's understandable after all the things she has been through. I like how her perspective changes throughout the ending. And I also don't like how the author keeps going back and forth between them and their struggles. I wish it had more of an adventure between Ocean and Shirin. But it's understandable because they both were busy and because Shirin had a somewhat of a strict life. 

Without a doubt, Tahereh Mafi did a good job writing the book because it shows the representation of a Muslim girl living in a majority-white country and the things she has endured. I also think it's a good perspective of how Muslims feel when they are criticized or someone is racist toward them. Or how just a look towards them feels like they are being judged, even though that's not always  the case. And how Shirin can be an example to other Muslim girls by showing they don’t have to live their life in a certain way just because others tell them to. 

If you are looking for a love story and humorous book, but also a book that's based on the experience of Islamophobia, I think A Very Large Expanse of Sea it's the option. You will love it!