Review: A Very Large Expanse Of Sea Is Powerfully Written, Based On Author’s Experiences

I really enjoyed Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi, so I was excited to read A Very Large Expanse Of Sea! I did not know what I was getting into at all because I just briefly skimmed the flap. I was hooked from the start because I just loved the main character’s personality in the opening scene, and knew I had to keep reading. I did not expect the main plot to be romance, but it ended up being my favorite thing about the book!

This book starts with an Iranian-American girl named Shirin stepping foot into a new school. Since she has moved frequenty in the past, she believes the experience will be the same as the others – she will make no friends, and will be forgotten about when she leaves. And she knows that wearing her hijab – a traditional Muslim head covering – will not make things easier. She has been a target of Islamophobia and even moreso after the 9/11 terroists attacks the year before.

Shirin has responded to the hate by keeping her guard up. So, when she meets a cute white boy named Ocean James, her first reaction is to ignore him and believe his intentions are bad, particularily because of what she has faced in the past from white people. But, he won’t go away, and Shirin feels more drawn to him as the days pass. She is fearful of the Islamophobia that will follow them if they choose to become closer, but her and Ocean have a special bond that can’t be broken.

The author’s talent for writing is immaculate, I wish I could have annotated all of the paragraphs that just were so powerfully written, but I had a library copy. One of the reasons it flowed so effortlessly is probably because the author experienced some of the same things as Shirin. She calls the story “quasi-autobiographical”. She has a way with words that draws you in and makes you feel what she wants you to feel. I have not experienced what Shirin has, but felt like I completely understood her frustrations and fear throughout the story. In addition, Shirin’s qualities, especially her bravery was admirable. Though it would be “easier” because of hate to not wear a hijab, she wears it as a sign of strength, and calls it “her armor”.

One thing I have been struggling with as a writer is character relationships, but reading this book makes it look easy. Their relationship progressed at a good pace and both characters had depth that made them more realistic. Also, I loved Ocean and Shirin’s romance so much, the conversations they had ranged from funny and awkward, to cute and romantic, to serious and educational.

I recommend this book to people who enjoy “Daylight” or “Midnight Rain” by Taylor Swift because this book reminded me of some of the lyrics.

Four out of four roses!