It's 2003, several months since the US officially declared war on Iraq, and the American political world has evolved. Tensions are high, hate crimes are on the rise, FBI agents are infiltrating local mosques, and the Muslim community is harassed and targeted more than ever. Shadi, who wears hijab, keeps her head down.
She's too busy drowning in her own troubles to find the time to deal with bigots.
Shadi is named for joy, but she's haunted by sorrow. Her brother is dead, her father is dying, her mother is falling apart, and her best friend has mysteriously dropped out of her life. And then, of course, there's the small matter of her heart--
It's broken.
Shadi tries to navigate her crumbling world by soldiering through, saying nothing. She devours her own pain, each day retreating farther and farther inside herself until finally, one day, everything changes.
She explodes.
An Emotion of Great Delight is a searing look into the world of a single Muslim family in the wake of 9/11. It's about a child of immigrants forging a blurry identity, falling in love, and finding hope--in the midst of a modern war.
Goodreads | Amazon
Rating: 4 Stars
My Review: Although parts of this story just didn't work for me. Overall, it is a story I think all students need to read. This was so emotional and I can not begin to understand how these people's lives were upturned after the events of 9/11. It was so heart breaking to see Shadi go through what she did.
Review
"Gorgeous and poetic, Mafi is unflinching in her rendering of pain and brutal truths, but also succeeds in weaving a tale that is brimming with heart and honest hope. This is a book I wish I'd had when I was fourteen. I'm so glad young readers will have it now. A truly special story." -- Jasmine Warga, New York Times bestselling and Newbery Honor-winning author of Other Words for Home
"Tahereh Mafi has written a timely, compelling novel about love and family and the remarkably complex nature of religion and faith. An Emotion of Great Delight is as profound as it is beautiful." -- Matt de la Peña, New York Times and Newbery Medal winning author of The Last Stop on Market Street
"Mafi follows her National Book Award–longlisted A Very Large Expanse of Sea (2018) with another contemporary young adult novel of striking emotional intensity. Complex and introspective Shadi details her experiences with the specific challenges of Islamaphobia and with more general issues. With masterfully compelling prose, this surprises and ensnares, leading readers to an inevitable but gripping climax. Though there's a feverous feeling throughout the book, there's also formidable nuance in Shadi’s paradoxical and contradictory thought patterns. Emotional implications of great magnitude and stakes that could not feel higher. A bluntly powerful read that shouldn't be missed." -- Booklist (starred review)
"Mafi confronts issues of mental health, suicidality, racism, and self-love in ways that will leave readers reacting viscerally and powerfully. Reading this novel is like being dropped straight into the everyday lives of a Muslim family in post–9/11 America. A simply real story, devoid of clichés, that will leave an indelible mark." -- Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
"Mafi’s prose is compelling and unsentimental, giving voice to the universal angst common among teenagers. She handles the timely issues of race and discrimination with skill, highlighting the inaccuracies so often ascribed to individuals of the Muslim faith. Her well-developed characters jump off the page, especially during romantic moments. An emotional, important look at an American Muslim teen’s experience."
-- School Library Journal (starred review)
"Mafi clearly and movingly illustrates how grief can escalate uncontrollably and seep into every facet of life." -- Publishers Weekly
"Mafi introduces some potent issues around whether passive resistance or confrontation is the better community strategy, and scenes of anti-Muslim aggression are brief but impactful."
-- Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
“Listeners beware: Joffrey’s emotional performance might just break your heart… Joffrey’s emotional connection with each character adds layers of authenticity that will resonate with listeners. This audiobook is sure to leave a lasting and memorable impact.”
-- Booklist (starred review of audio edition)
"Mafi returns with another lyrical contemporary novel. An aching, emotional story that touches on various internal struggles of being a child of immigrants." -- Buzzfeed
"Mafi takes you places you never anticipate as she demonstrates the many forms of heartbreak and whether they can be healed." -- Forbes
"Tahereh Mafi has written a timely, compelling novel about love and family and the remarkably complex nature of religion and faith. An Emotion of Great Delight is as profound as it is beautiful." -- Matt de la Peña, New York Times and Newbery Medal winning author of The Last Stop on Market Street
"Mafi follows her National Book Award–longlisted A Very Large Expanse of Sea (2018) with another contemporary young adult novel of striking emotional intensity. Complex and introspective Shadi details her experiences with the specific challenges of Islamaphobia and with more general issues. With masterfully compelling prose, this surprises and ensnares, leading readers to an inevitable but gripping climax. Though there's a feverous feeling throughout the book, there's also formidable nuance in Shadi’s paradoxical and contradictory thought patterns. Emotional implications of great magnitude and stakes that could not feel higher. A bluntly powerful read that shouldn't be missed." -- Booklist (starred review)
"Mafi confronts issues of mental health, suicidality, racism, and self-love in ways that will leave readers reacting viscerally and powerfully. Reading this novel is like being dropped straight into the everyday lives of a Muslim family in post–9/11 America. A simply real story, devoid of clichés, that will leave an indelible mark." -- Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
"Mafi’s prose is compelling and unsentimental, giving voice to the universal angst common among teenagers. She handles the timely issues of race and discrimination with skill, highlighting the inaccuracies so often ascribed to individuals of the Muslim faith. Her well-developed characters jump off the page, especially during romantic moments. An emotional, important look at an American Muslim teen’s experience."
-- School Library Journal (starred review)
"Mafi clearly and movingly illustrates how grief can escalate uncontrollably and seep into every facet of life." -- Publishers Weekly
"Mafi introduces some potent issues around whether passive resistance or confrontation is the better community strategy, and scenes of anti-Muslim aggression are brief but impactful."
-- Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
“Listeners beware: Joffrey’s emotional performance might just break your heart… Joffrey’s emotional connection with each character adds layers of authenticity that will resonate with listeners. This audiobook is sure to leave a lasting and memorable impact.”
-- Booklist (starred review of audio edition)
"Mafi returns with another lyrical contemporary novel. An aching, emotional story that touches on various internal struggles of being a child of immigrants." -- Buzzfeed
"Mafi takes you places you never anticipate as she demonstrates the many forms of heartbreak and whether they can be healed." -- Forbes
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FTC Guidelines: In accordance with FTC guidelines regarding endorsements and testimonials for bloggers, I would like my readers to know that many of the books I review are provided to me for free by the publisher or author of the book in exchange for an honest review. If am compensated for any reviews on this site I will state that post has been sponsored.
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