The Intended Audience
The book The Emotion of the Great Delight by Tahereh Mafi is written for a broad audience. It might be interesting for Muslim families living in Western countries, for people trying to understand the problems of these groups, or for an ordinary reader who wants to find a touching and meaningful story.
Brief Synopsis of the Book
The main character, Shadi, suffers from losing her family and a friend. Facing numerous difficulties because of being Muslim after the US declared war on Iraq, she experiences complex feelings and appears at the edge of collapse.
Evaluation of the Writing Style
In general, the author’s style is clear and original at the same time. Mafi’s narration is understandable for readers and can help them view the story’s central problem.
Mental Health Conditions, Symptoms, and Warning Signs
Thus, presenting her story, Mafi also mentions some signs and symptoms of mental health conditions. First, Shadi hides strong emotions and tries not to show them: “I wasn’t, I wanted to scream. I wasn’t” (Mafi, 2021, p. 4). Second, she lives under constant pressure and stress and admits they make her “noteworthy” (Mafi, 2021, p. 22). The story also offers other symptoms that might be considered signs of mental issues.
Impression of Mental Health Portrayal
Reading the novel, it is possible to see that the feelings and symptoms are portrayed accurately. A reader feels empathy and compassion, realizing the girl suffers from emotional pain and damage. Shadi deserves respect for her character strengths and helpfulness as she was focused on helping her father.
Formal Mental Health Treatment or Self-Care Strategies
Unfortunately, regardless of the severe condition, Shadi does not acquire any formal mental health treatment. She tries to care for herself by controlling breathing: “I closed my eyes. Tried to breathe normally” or avoiding complex situations that might lead to conflict. (Mafi, 2021, p. 32). It helped to control emotions at a particular period.
Personal Impact and Reflection
In general, the book has a strong influence on a reader. I realized that people from other cultures might face some barriers; however, it was a shocking experience to realize the scope of challenges a young Muslim girl living in the USA might face. Before reading the novel, I had the idea that untreated mental illness can lead to the outbreak of feelings and emotions, and the story reinforced this belief.
Recommendation for Biblioguidance
I recommend this book as biblioguidance as it shows how the mental health of a girl suffers because of the problems and challenges she faces and how she explodes being unable to live in her highly stressful setting.
Reference
Mafi, T. (2021). Am emotion of great delight. HarperCollins.