67 pages • 2 hours read
A Very Large Expanse of Sea
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Book Brief
310
Novel • Fiction
United States • 2000s
2018
YA
14-18 years
Super Short Summary
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.
Emotional
Challenging
Romantic
Inspirational
Bittersweet
Reviews & Readership
65,357 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
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.
Who Should Read A Very Large Expanse of Sea?
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.
65,357 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
310
Novel • Fiction
United States • 2000s
2018
YA
14-18 years
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