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Maame
Goodreads Choice Award
Nominee for Readers' Favorite Fiction (2023), Nominee for Readers' Favorite Debut Novel (2023)Shortlisted for the TikTok Book Awards in the Book of the Year, 2023 and the Goodreads Debut and Fiction Book of the Year, 2023.
It’s fair to say that Maddie’s life in London is far from rewarding. With a mother who spends most of her time in Ghana (yet still somehow manages to be overbearing), Maddie is the primary caretaker for her father, who suffers from advanced stage Parkinson’s. At work, her boss is a nightmare and Maddie is tired of always being the only Black person in every meeting.
When her mum returns from her latest trip to Ghana, Maddie leaps at the chance to get out of the family home and finally start living. A self-acknowledged late bloomer, she’s ready to experience some important “firsts”: She finds a flat share, says yes to after-work drinks, pushes for more recognition in her career, and throws herself into the bewildering world of internet dating. But it's not long before tragedy strikes, forcing Maddie to face the true nature of her unconventional family, and the perils—and rewards—of putting her life on the line.
Smart, funny, and deeply affecting, Jessica George's Maame deals with the themes of our time with humor and poignancy: from familial duty and racism, to female pleasure, the complexity of love, and the life-saving power of friendship. Most important, it explores what it feels like to be torn between two homes and cultures―and it celebrates finally being able to find where you belong.
It’s fair to say that Maddie’s life in London is far from rewarding. With a mother who spends most of her time in Ghana (yet still somehow manages to be overbearing), Maddie is the primary caretaker for her father, who suffers from advanced stage Parkinson’s. At work, her boss is a nightmare and Maddie is tired of always being the only Black person in every meeting.
When her mum returns from her latest trip to Ghana, Maddie leaps at the chance to get out of the family home and finally start living. A self-acknowledged late bloomer, she’s ready to experience some important “firsts”: She finds a flat share, says yes to after-work drinks, pushes for more recognition in her career, and throws herself into the bewildering world of internet dating. But it's not long before tragedy strikes, forcing Maddie to face the true nature of her unconventional family, and the perils—and rewards—of putting her life on the line.
Smart, funny, and deeply affecting, Jessica George's Maame deals with the themes of our time with humor and poignancy: from familial duty and racism, to female pleasure, the complexity of love, and the life-saving power of friendship. Most important, it explores what it feels like to be torn between two homes and cultures―and it celebrates finally being able to find where you belong.
460 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 31, 2023
5726 people are currently reading
228086 people want to read
About the author
Jessica George
2 books2,136 followersJessica George was born and raised in London to Ghanaian parents and studied English Literature at the University of Sheffield. After working at a literary agency and a theatre, she landed a job in the editorial department of Bloomsbury UK. MAAME is her first novel.
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February 1, 2023
“We grow up fast. Not by force, but because we are needed.”
Families can be complicated. Twenty-five-year-old Madeleine "Maddie" Wright’s family is no different and Maddie is struggling. Her life is far from ideal. The daughter of Ghanaian immigrants settled in London, Maddie, working a dead-end administrative job is responsible for the care of her father, whose Parkinson's Disease is now at an advanced stage. Her mother who alternates between Ghana and London is constantly critical of Maddie but this does not stop her from guilting Maddie into shouldering the greater part of all financial responsibilities – paying the bills as well as sending money to her in Ghana where she runs a hostel with her brother. Maddie’s brother who lives separately is self-absorbed and never seems to be around when Maddie asks for help.
When Maddie’s mother returns to London for a year, Maddie takes this opportunity to move out of her father’s house, take up residence in a flatshare with two other young women, start a new job in a publishing house (after being unfairly fired from her previous job) and finally live her life. As the narrative progresses we follow Maddie as she navigates her way through professional ups and downs, old and new friendships and romantic relationships. Not all her experiences are pleasant ones. Naïve and inexperienced in the ways of the world, Maddie struggles to strike a balance between the different aspects of her life. When tragedy strikes, Maddie experiences an immense sense of guilt and loss that plunges her into a state of despair. As she tries to come to terms with her loss and move forward, Maddie begins to understand the importance of prioritizing oneself even if it means confronting those who have taken her for granted.
"Maame” has many meanings in Twi, but in my case, it means “woman.”
Maame by Jessica George is a moving and deeply insightful novel. The writing is excellent and the characterizations are superbly done. “Maame” is her mother’s nickname for Maddie – in their native Twi, it means woman; the responsible one. As Maddie reflects on her life she shares how she feels that this nickname has somehow defined her, determined how she is perceived by her family members and has influenced not only how she interacts with others but also how she treats herself.
“It made me grow up when I should have had more time. It made my dad overlook me when I was a child, my mum leave me behind, and my brother get away with doing the bare minimum. It made me lonely and it made me sad. It made me responsible and guilty. It made me someone, if given the choice, I wouldn’t want to be.”
Both inter and intra-role conflict are excellently depicted in Maddie’s story. The author gives us a picture of how culture influences roles and expectations within families and relationships. In Maddie, struggling to find a balance between the Ghanaian family values instilled in her since childhood and her life and aspirations as a Londoner, we find an endearing protagonist who is sweet, smart and lovable and is doing her level best to find her way in the world. Her struggles are real and relatable and her pain and grief are palpable. I found the author's writing on Maddie’s struggles with grief and the discussion on mental health particularly powerful and moving. Maddie’s first-person PoV reels you in and makes you feel like a confidante with whom she is sharing her experiences. I felt invested in her story, grieving with her, feeling her anger ,guilt and pain and celebrating her moments of triumph. Heartbreaking in parts, and hopeful in others, the author tells a beautiful story of love, family, friendships, personal growth and self-acceptance with wit, wisdom and emotional depth. It is hard to believe that this is the author’s debut novel. I look forward to reading more from this talented author in the future.
Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the digital review copy of this beautifully-penned novel. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
“ 'Many assume love is straightforward,” Angelina continues, “when really it is the most complicated of things. There is a right way, a preferred way, for each individual, to love and be loved by someone—but there isn’t only one way. I believe the difficulty of life has much to do with understanding and then navigating how the people you love both express and receive love themselves. It cannot be your responsibility, your burden, to reshape people into someone you’d like them to be. Ultimately, you must either accept a person for who they are, how they behave, how they express themselves emotionally, and find a healthy way to live with them, or let them go entirely. Either way, you must release yourself from that responsibility.’ ”
Families can be complicated. Twenty-five-year-old Madeleine "Maddie" Wright’s family is no different and Maddie is struggling. Her life is far from ideal. The daughter of Ghanaian immigrants settled in London, Maddie, working a dead-end administrative job is responsible for the care of her father, whose Parkinson's Disease is now at an advanced stage. Her mother who alternates between Ghana and London is constantly critical of Maddie but this does not stop her from guilting Maddie into shouldering the greater part of all financial responsibilities – paying the bills as well as sending money to her in Ghana where she runs a hostel with her brother. Maddie’s brother who lives separately is self-absorbed and never seems to be around when Maddie asks for help.
When Maddie’s mother returns to London for a year, Maddie takes this opportunity to move out of her father’s house, take up residence in a flatshare with two other young women, start a new job in a publishing house (after being unfairly fired from her previous job) and finally live her life. As the narrative progresses we follow Maddie as she navigates her way through professional ups and downs, old and new friendships and romantic relationships. Not all her experiences are pleasant ones. Naïve and inexperienced in the ways of the world, Maddie struggles to strike a balance between the different aspects of her life. When tragedy strikes, Maddie experiences an immense sense of guilt and loss that plunges her into a state of despair. As she tries to come to terms with her loss and move forward, Maddie begins to understand the importance of prioritizing oneself even if it means confronting those who have taken her for granted.
"Maame” has many meanings in Twi, but in my case, it means “woman.”
Maame by Jessica George is a moving and deeply insightful novel. The writing is excellent and the characterizations are superbly done. “Maame” is her mother’s nickname for Maddie – in their native Twi, it means woman; the responsible one. As Maddie reflects on her life she shares how she feels that this nickname has somehow defined her, determined how she is perceived by her family members and has influenced not only how she interacts with others but also how she treats herself.
“It made me grow up when I should have had more time. It made my dad overlook me when I was a child, my mum leave me behind, and my brother get away with doing the bare minimum. It made me lonely and it made me sad. It made me responsible and guilty. It made me someone, if given the choice, I wouldn’t want to be.”
Both inter and intra-role conflict are excellently depicted in Maddie’s story. The author gives us a picture of how culture influences roles and expectations within families and relationships. In Maddie, struggling to find a balance between the Ghanaian family values instilled in her since childhood and her life and aspirations as a Londoner, we find an endearing protagonist who is sweet, smart and lovable and is doing her level best to find her way in the world. Her struggles are real and relatable and her pain and grief are palpable. I found the author's writing on Maddie’s struggles with grief and the discussion on mental health particularly powerful and moving. Maddie’s first-person PoV reels you in and makes you feel like a confidante with whom she is sharing her experiences. I felt invested in her story, grieving with her, feeling her anger ,guilt and pain and celebrating her moments of triumph. Heartbreaking in parts, and hopeful in others, the author tells a beautiful story of love, family, friendships, personal growth and self-acceptance with wit, wisdom and emotional depth. It is hard to believe that this is the author’s debut novel. I look forward to reading more from this talented author in the future.
Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the digital review copy of this beautifully-penned novel. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
“ 'Many assume love is straightforward,” Angelina continues, “when really it is the most complicated of things. There is a right way, a preferred way, for each individual, to love and be loved by someone—but there isn’t only one way. I believe the difficulty of life has much to do with understanding and then navigating how the people you love both express and receive love themselves. It cannot be your responsibility, your burden, to reshape people into someone you’d like them to be. Ultimately, you must either accept a person for who they are, how they behave, how they express themselves emotionally, and find a healthy way to live with them, or let them go entirely. Either way, you must release yourself from that responsibility.’ ”
December 14, 2023
One of my favorite fictions of the year that you should consider to vote at Goodreads Choice Awards 2023!
Maame is extremely fresh, engaging, powerful novel! It’s about family, grief, self growth, guilt, regrets, starting over! It’s inspirational, memorable, unique, playing a marvelous melody with the strings of your heart, embracing your soul, presenting a different approach!
Maddie Wright is not happy to grow up early, carrying extra responsibilities of life! At the age of 25, most of her friends left the city for going to the college, flirting, partying, going out, sharing a loft with room mates, exploring the life, traveling around the world.
For last 8 years Maddie’s life completely changed after finding out her father’s Parkinson diagnosis. Her mother kept leaving the country to help her brother in Ghana to take care of family business for at least one year and coming back later as her brother kept spending time with his friends’ family for years.
And now her father’s health condition gets deteriorated as her brother keeps making excuses not to visit his family home and her mother keeps insisting she’s so busy in Ghana unless she calls for borrowing money from Maddie’s saving account!
She is the only one who takes care of her father, getting trapped in PA job at theater company, dealing with the mood swings of her boss.
Her mother calls her Maame which is a word in Twi language with different meanings. But most common meaning is woman and Maddie resents her nickname because she doesn’t live her life as a naive, inexperienced young girl and directly grew up to be a woman.
But now she has an opportunity to take a break from her all responsibilities and do things like other 25 years old young woman do! Her mother flies back from Ghana and advises her to move another apartment to live her independent life. For the first her mother will be the one who will take care of her own husband!
This means Maddie can start from fresh. She already made her list.
Here’s the new Maddie’s independence manifesto:
-Drink alcohol when offered
-Always say yes to social events
-Wear new clothes
-Cook new food
-Have different experiences (Travel? Brunch?)
-Try weed or cigarettes at least once (but don't get addicted!)
-Wear makeup
-Go on dates
-Lose your virginity.
Challenge accepted! Maddie is ready to shine! But you know what they say: you make plans and God laughs!
There’s a new and more challenging chapter is about to open in Maddie’s life. Will she get through new challenges life throws at her?
This is incredible, thought provoking work with genuine and realistic approach to the grief, dysfunctional family relationships, becoming minority at the work place, exploring sexuality, romantic involvements, your capabilities and your unfinished search for happiness.
During my reading I felt for Maddie! I gritted my teeth when I witness her communication with her family members and some of her friends. I felt sad for her but I also respected her!
Overall: this well written, perfectly developed book definitely deserves five stars or more!
I loved Maddie’s compelling journey!
Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest opinions.
Maame is extremely fresh, engaging, powerful novel! It’s about family, grief, self growth, guilt, regrets, starting over! It’s inspirational, memorable, unique, playing a marvelous melody with the strings of your heart, embracing your soul, presenting a different approach!
Maddie Wright is not happy to grow up early, carrying extra responsibilities of life! At the age of 25, most of her friends left the city for going to the college, flirting, partying, going out, sharing a loft with room mates, exploring the life, traveling around the world.
For last 8 years Maddie’s life completely changed after finding out her father’s Parkinson diagnosis. Her mother kept leaving the country to help her brother in Ghana to take care of family business for at least one year and coming back later as her brother kept spending time with his friends’ family for years.
And now her father’s health condition gets deteriorated as her brother keeps making excuses not to visit his family home and her mother keeps insisting she’s so busy in Ghana unless she calls for borrowing money from Maddie’s saving account!
She is the only one who takes care of her father, getting trapped in PA job at theater company, dealing with the mood swings of her boss.
Her mother calls her Maame which is a word in Twi language with different meanings. But most common meaning is woman and Maddie resents her nickname because she doesn’t live her life as a naive, inexperienced young girl and directly grew up to be a woman.
But now she has an opportunity to take a break from her all responsibilities and do things like other 25 years old young woman do! Her mother flies back from Ghana and advises her to move another apartment to live her independent life. For the first her mother will be the one who will take care of her own husband!
This means Maddie can start from fresh. She already made her list.
Here’s the new Maddie’s independence manifesto:
-Drink alcohol when offered
-Always say yes to social events
-Wear new clothes
-Cook new food
-Have different experiences (Travel? Brunch?)
-Try weed or cigarettes at least once (but don't get addicted!)
-Wear makeup
-Go on dates
-Lose your virginity.
Challenge accepted! Maddie is ready to shine! But you know what they say: you make plans and God laughs!
There’s a new and more challenging chapter is about to open in Maddie’s life. Will she get through new challenges life throws at her?
This is incredible, thought provoking work with genuine and realistic approach to the grief, dysfunctional family relationships, becoming minority at the work place, exploring sexuality, romantic involvements, your capabilities and your unfinished search for happiness.
During my reading I felt for Maddie! I gritted my teeth when I witness her communication with her family members and some of her friends. I felt sad for her but I also respected her!
Overall: this well written, perfectly developed book definitely deserves five stars or more!
I loved Maddie’s compelling journey!
Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest opinions.
February 16, 2023
Maddie's Dad has Parkinson's. She is his care taker and her mother is rarely present and Maddie is the only one who takes care of him. Her Mom lives in Ghana and she is running a hostel. Maddie is twenty five years old and lives in London. Her brother does not help her at all with the care of her father. Maddie's Mom visits her every other year and is always criticizing her.
I really loved this book. There are likable characters and unlikable characters. The characters are very well done. I also loved the writing style.
My favorite character is Maddie. She never cares about herself but always takes care of others. She loves pleasing people.
She goes to the University and is the only black woman in her classes.
Her mother calls her Maame which has many different meanings in Twi, mainly meaning Woman.
Maddie did not have a childhood.
I did not like her Mom at all. She was always criticizing Maddie. I also did not like her brother who always thought of himself.
This was an emotional read for me. It had all of the emotions. I love a book that makes me feel. It also is uplifting and I loved the great messages in this book
I want to thank Netgalley, and St. Martin's Press for the copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I really loved this book. There are likable characters and unlikable characters. The characters are very well done. I also loved the writing style.
My favorite character is Maddie. She never cares about herself but always takes care of others. She loves pleasing people.
She goes to the University and is the only black woman in her classes.
Her mother calls her Maame which has many different meanings in Twi, mainly meaning Woman.
Maddie did not have a childhood.
I did not like her Mom at all. She was always criticizing Maddie. I also did not like her brother who always thought of himself.
This was an emotional read for me. It had all of the emotions. I love a book that makes me feel. It also is uplifting and I loved the great messages in this book
I want to thank Netgalley, and St. Martin's Press for the copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
June 1, 2023
Every now and then a book comes along that makes you cancel all your plans and spend the entire time enveloped in the pages of the book- never wanting to leave- Maame is such book! Engrossing, engaging, beautifully written with a main character you would go to war for.
Let me start with saying MAAME is one of my favorite books for 2023 and it is just February- but I am calling it. This is a must read.
In Maame we meet Maddie, in her twenties and should be living her best London life but with everyone of her family member shirking their duties she ends up being the primary caretaker for her father who suffers from Parkinson’s. Her mother spends half the year in London and the other half in Ghana but makes sure to ask for money and send strongly worded text telling Maddie how to live her life. Maddie’s older brother left the family home a long time to live and travel with his friends. He checks in, but his life mostly involves his friends who he’s made his family. Maddie must take care of her family, go to work at a very unrewarding job where her boss is unreasonable, unstable and chaotic- all while being the only Black person present. It is exhausting.
Finally Maddie’s mother returns to London to take over as lead caregiver for her husband and Maddie can now step into the role of young twenty-something-finding herself! She moves out, starts making friends, dating, speaking up for herself, and making a list of what the New Maddie will look like. Maddie is way out of her comfort zone but intends to lean into the life she couldn’t live previously. All seems to be going great until it is not and Maddie’s world comes crumbling… fast.
Let me tell you something… I inhaled this book. Well written, funny, moving, this book will have you fighting for a fictional character. Jessica George did the damn thing with this book. I can see this being the book of 2023 because the character is so relatable. The book touches on a number of topics dating, family, grief, friendship, religion, microaggression at work, family expectation, racism, capitalism, all while being relevant and not trying too hard.
Maame does brilliantly what Such A Fun Age was trying to do. I will say, if you enjoyed Queenie, you will definitely love reading about Maddie. Very complex characters who are going through things you may have experience. I will say the ending felt rushed and there were some google searches that could have been left out but overall a very stunning debut.
EVERYONE, READ THIS!!!!
Follow me here for more book reviews:
https://www.instagram.com/bookofcinz/?hl=en
Let me start with saying MAAME is one of my favorite books for 2023 and it is just February- but I am calling it. This is a must read.
In Maame we meet Maddie, in her twenties and should be living her best London life but with everyone of her family member shirking their duties she ends up being the primary caretaker for her father who suffers from Parkinson’s. Her mother spends half the year in London and the other half in Ghana but makes sure to ask for money and send strongly worded text telling Maddie how to live her life. Maddie’s older brother left the family home a long time to live and travel with his friends. He checks in, but his life mostly involves his friends who he’s made his family. Maddie must take care of her family, go to work at a very unrewarding job where her boss is unreasonable, unstable and chaotic- all while being the only Black person present. It is exhausting.
Finally Maddie’s mother returns to London to take over as lead caregiver for her husband and Maddie can now step into the role of young twenty-something-finding herself! She moves out, starts making friends, dating, speaking up for herself, and making a list of what the New Maddie will look like. Maddie is way out of her comfort zone but intends to lean into the life she couldn’t live previously. All seems to be going great until it is not and Maddie’s world comes crumbling… fast.
Let me tell you something… I inhaled this book. Well written, funny, moving, this book will have you fighting for a fictional character. Jessica George did the damn thing with this book. I can see this being the book of 2023 because the character is so relatable. The book touches on a number of topics dating, family, grief, friendship, religion, microaggression at work, family expectation, racism, capitalism, all while being relevant and not trying too hard.
Maame does brilliantly what Such A Fun Age was trying to do. I will say, if you enjoyed Queenie, you will definitely love reading about Maddie. Very complex characters who are going through things you may have experience. I will say the ending felt rushed and there were some google searches that could have been left out but overall a very stunning debut.
EVERYONE, READ THIS!!!!
Follow me here for more book reviews:
https://www.instagram.com/bookofcinz/?hl=en
Read
July 21, 2022An utterly charming and deeply moving portrait of the joys—and the guilt—of trying to find your own way in life. At heart this is a book about seeing life and your loved ones and yourself in a new light, and Maddie’s journey will resonate with anyone who’s had to grow up—or who’s still trying to.
February 14, 2023
In a Nutshell: An interesting debut work focussing on the titular ‘Maame’, who is caught between her duty and her life. As an OwnVoices coming-of-age work, the novel delivers to a great extent on its promise, though it did have certain flaws.
Story Synopsis:
Unlike my usual headings of what I liked and what I disliked, I will have only one category this time, because the entire book left me with mixed feelings. The only exception was the title, for which I have only positive feelings. Not only does it serve as an interesting first point of appeal, but it is also justified in almost every chapter.
Mixed feelings all the way:
⚠ This is the first book I have read with a Ghanaian character (and by an author of Ghanaian origin.) I liked the insight the author showed us into the beliefs and behaviour of the Ghanaian people. She also depicts the struggles of second-generation immigrants nicely. At the same time, there is hardly anything positive about Ghanaian culture. The first-gen people are depicted as selfish pests.
⚠ Maddie is overly dependent on Google for even tiny things, and these online searches add a lot of fun to the plot. This could go either way, of course. Some of her online queries are ridiculous. But I found it hilarious how she googled even the stupidest of things and took the advice seriously. On a related note, Maddie’s first-person inner rambling also has some good bits of humour.
⚠ Maddie does justice to the title role. She is not portrayed as the perfect girl. She is dutiful, loyal, and intelligent, but she is also easy to push over, gullible, and impulsive. This realistic portrayal appealed to me. At the same time, I felt like she was too naïve and closeted to be believable. She was a 25-year-old Londoner for goodness’ sake! How could she not be aware of certain basics, especially considering her reliance on Google? Her blatant lies and her judgemental behaviour, especially in the second half, didn’t endear her to me. Also, her transformation from homebody to a free bird living on her own terms is too instant to be convincing.
⚠ As is common with many debut authors’ works, Maame too includes a whole range of themes within its plot: death of a family member, grief, corporate/professional conflicts, peer pressure, mental health issues, familial troubles, micro-aggressions, racism, sexual identity crises, romantic problems, Parkinson’s and the sadness it brings, extra-marital affairs, online dating,… Many of these were relevant and well-written, but some of the issues felt shoehorned. A few of the scenes felt like they were added only for the potential for social commentary though they had no direct impact on Maddie’s life.
⚠ Other than Maddie, none of her family members are written as likeable. One scene with Maddie’s roommate felt really silly and out of character. Her work colleagues are idiotic most of the times, and her friends, while having great roles, come in the main scenes just a few times. As such, if you like Maddie, you will like the book. But if you find her irritating, you might hate the content because there is no other character to fall back upon.
⚠ The writing is a too simplistic. This work has been marked as ‘New Adult’ (which is nothing but YA with Sex Scenes IMHO) by the publishers, and the book does fit the NA genre well. But I wish the writing had been more nuanced.
⚠ The book tries to be gender-inclusive with the presence of lesbian and bi characters. However, a certain subplot is highly biphobic.
The audiobook experience:
The audiobook, clocking at a little over 10 hours, is narrated by Heather Agyepong. She does a fabulous job of voicing Maddie and her insecurities as well as newfound confidence. If you are an avid audiobook listener, you will certainly enjoy her nuanced narration. If you are an audiobook newbie, this would be a good book to begin your audio journey with as there are no multiple timelines or varying perspectives to confuse you. The narration is easy-going on the ears.
When I looked at the author’s profile, I realised that she has quite a few things in common with Maddie. So is this partially autobiographical? I would have preferred an author’s note about this aspect. (It is quite possible that such a note exists in the digital/paper copies, but my audio version didn’t have it.)
All in all, this book has appeal as the coming-of-age story from a British-Ghanaian perspective. It has plenty of emotions, good and bad and ugly. The main character is what will make or break the book for you, so if you do pick it up, I hope you like her so that you can connect better with the book.
3.5 stars, rounding up for the excellent narration in the audio version.
My thanks to Hodder & Stoughton Audio and NetGalley for the ALC of “Maame”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the audiobook.
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Story Synopsis:
Maddie, a British-Ghanaian girl in her mid-twenties, is the ‘Maame’ of her family, Maame meaning ‘woman’ in their native Twi. With an absent mum and an irresponsible elder brother, Maddie is the one taking care of her ailing father as well as their financial requirements. She barely has any personal life beyond this. When her mum promises to return from Ghana, Maddie finally decides to take charge of her own life and do everything she couldn’t or hadn’t. Will it really be as easy as that?
The story comes to us in the first person perspective of Maddie.
Unlike my usual headings of what I liked and what I disliked, I will have only one category this time, because the entire book left me with mixed feelings. The only exception was the title, for which I have only positive feelings. Not only does it serve as an interesting first point of appeal, but it is also justified in almost every chapter.
Mixed feelings all the way:
⚠ This is the first book I have read with a Ghanaian character (and by an author of Ghanaian origin.) I liked the insight the author showed us into the beliefs and behaviour of the Ghanaian people. She also depicts the struggles of second-generation immigrants nicely. At the same time, there is hardly anything positive about Ghanaian culture. The first-gen people are depicted as selfish pests.
⚠ Maddie is overly dependent on Google for even tiny things, and these online searches add a lot of fun to the plot. This could go either way, of course. Some of her online queries are ridiculous. But I found it hilarious how she googled even the stupidest of things and took the advice seriously. On a related note, Maddie’s first-person inner rambling also has some good bits of humour.
⚠ Maddie does justice to the title role. She is not portrayed as the perfect girl. She is dutiful, loyal, and intelligent, but she is also easy to push over, gullible, and impulsive. This realistic portrayal appealed to me. At the same time, I felt like she was too naïve and closeted to be believable. She was a 25-year-old Londoner for goodness’ sake! How could she not be aware of certain basics, especially considering her reliance on Google? Her blatant lies and her judgemental behaviour, especially in the second half, didn’t endear her to me. Also, her transformation from homebody to a free bird living on her own terms is too instant to be convincing.
⚠ As is common with many debut authors’ works, Maame too includes a whole range of themes within its plot: death of a family member, grief, corporate/professional conflicts, peer pressure, mental health issues, familial troubles, micro-aggressions, racism, sexual identity crises, romantic problems, Parkinson’s and the sadness it brings, extra-marital affairs, online dating,… Many of these were relevant and well-written, but some of the issues felt shoehorned. A few of the scenes felt like they were added only for the potential for social commentary though they had no direct impact on Maddie’s life.
⚠ Other than Maddie, none of her family members are written as likeable. One scene with Maddie’s roommate felt really silly and out of character. Her work colleagues are idiotic most of the times, and her friends, while having great roles, come in the main scenes just a few times. As such, if you like Maddie, you will like the book. But if you find her irritating, you might hate the content because there is no other character to fall back upon.
⚠ The writing is a too simplistic. This work has been marked as ‘New Adult’ (which is nothing but YA with Sex Scenes IMHO) by the publishers, and the book does fit the NA genre well. But I wish the writing had been more nuanced.
⚠ The book tries to be gender-inclusive with the presence of lesbian and bi characters. However, a certain subplot is highly biphobic.
The audiobook experience:
The audiobook, clocking at a little over 10 hours, is narrated by Heather Agyepong. She does a fabulous job of voicing Maddie and her insecurities as well as newfound confidence. If you are an avid audiobook listener, you will certainly enjoy her nuanced narration. If you are an audiobook newbie, this would be a good book to begin your audio journey with as there are no multiple timelines or varying perspectives to confuse you. The narration is easy-going on the ears.
When I looked at the author’s profile, I realised that she has quite a few things in common with Maddie. So is this partially autobiographical? I would have preferred an author’s note about this aspect. (It is quite possible that such a note exists in the digital/paper copies, but my audio version didn’t have it.)
All in all, this book has appeal as the coming-of-age story from a British-Ghanaian perspective. It has plenty of emotions, good and bad and ugly. The main character is what will make or break the book for you, so if you do pick it up, I hope you like her so that you can connect better with the book.
3.5 stars, rounding up for the excellent narration in the audio version.
My thanks to Hodder & Stoughton Audio and NetGalley for the ALC of “Maame”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the audiobook.
———————————————
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October 16, 2022
An incredible debut from Jessica George with an all too authentic central protagonist in the irresistible twenty something Maddie Wright that you will not be able to stop yourself rooting for. This is vibrant and witty storytelling, of the complexities of families, race, culture, being a woman, growing up, self development with all its joys and pain, and becoming secure in your identity. Maame is what her so often absent mother called her from when she was little, it has numerous meanings in Twi but commonly it means woman. In practice, this has meant Maddie has been over burdened by family responsibilities when she should have been experiencing a childhood, resulting in her missing out on so much in life, and in everything that others of her age take for granted, whilst employment for her is far from a happy affair.
Maddie's overbearing mother spends a lot of time in Ghana managing a hostel, and her brother has been of little help, as she takes her care of her father, suffering from advanced stage Parkinson's. Upon the return of her mother, Maddie takes the opportunity to leave home and finally begin to start living life, moving into a flat share, keen to experience all that she can, both at work and in her personal life. A naive and lacking in self esteem Maddie finds herself going through life's natural ups and downs, including betrayal, until she is hit by a tragedy that immerses her into a world of guilt as she hits rock bottom. The narrative has Maddie examining how being 'Maame' has shaped expectations of her, of being a 'woman' before her time, of how her family see her and her relationships, and perhaps more importantly how she has let it mould her own sense of identity. It is time for things to change and for Maddie to be who and what she wants to be.
This is a wonderfully captivating, moving, at times heartbreaking, humorous and an emotional read, of all that life can be, the struggles and the joy, of love, loss and grief, race, of family, cultural and gender expectations, a late coming of age story, and learning to find and be true to yourself in a world that does not always make this an easy process. The highlight for me throughout is the character of Maddie, she shines as she faces the challenges that life throws at her, on her journey to acknowledging, accepting and becoming confident in who she is, in all her glorious differences. Highly recommended. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.
Maddie's overbearing mother spends a lot of time in Ghana managing a hostel, and her brother has been of little help, as she takes her care of her father, suffering from advanced stage Parkinson's. Upon the return of her mother, Maddie takes the opportunity to leave home and finally begin to start living life, moving into a flat share, keen to experience all that she can, both at work and in her personal life. A naive and lacking in self esteem Maddie finds herself going through life's natural ups and downs, including betrayal, until she is hit by a tragedy that immerses her into a world of guilt as she hits rock bottom. The narrative has Maddie examining how being 'Maame' has shaped expectations of her, of being a 'woman' before her time, of how her family see her and her relationships, and perhaps more importantly how she has let it mould her own sense of identity. It is time for things to change and for Maddie to be who and what she wants to be.
This is a wonderfully captivating, moving, at times heartbreaking, humorous and an emotional read, of all that life can be, the struggles and the joy, of love, loss and grief, race, of family, cultural and gender expectations, a late coming of age story, and learning to find and be true to yourself in a world that does not always make this an easy process. The highlight for me throughout is the character of Maddie, she shines as she faces the challenges that life throws at her, on her journey to acknowledging, accepting and becoming confident in who she is, in all her glorious differences. Highly recommended. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.
January 25, 2024
Lisa’s Life Lessons for Maddie:
1. When you need to terminate a relationship (aka break up with someone), make a PowerPoint presentation. This serves two purposes: 1) the receiver will have an opportunity to learn how to become a better human being and 2) when you are lonely in 2 weeks, 2 months, or 2 years, nostalgic for a relationship that wasn’t “that bad”, you can open up your PowerPoint and remember in crystal clear clarity why you dumped that loser.
2. Make informed choices. Before jumping in the sack with someone, ask for STI testing. If you are old enough to participate in adult activities, you should be responsible. Do you want a life-long virus for someone who you went only went on 3 dates with? If the person really does care about you, they shouldn't have a problem getting tested.
3. When a tragedy strikes a co-worker, that person will always remember how they were treated. A co-worker of mine had a stillborn child. A corporate wide email went out specifically telling us not to talk about it because she didn’t want to talk about what happened 300 times. As a people leader (fancy word for boss), I know that some people want to dive right back into work and want a distraction. Other people will need to go slowly. This is where I would have a private discussion with my employee telling them exactly that, that I have his or her back no matter what and to tell me what they need and to let me know if they change their mind.
4. Getting credit at work. No one likes working with an arrogant person. And there is a big difference between school and work. At work, there is a team. When my team prepares a tax return, it doesn’t matter if I worked on it 90%, the associate 5%, the partner 5%. We win and lose as a team. I would never put in an email, “Here is the tax return where I did most of the work.” That wouldn’t go over well, and it would decimate team morale. Instead, Maddie needs to schedule 30 minutes with her boss each week. Go to that meeting each week with a list of questions and talking points (establish expectations like the milk, discuss career growth, wanting to be in Creative meetings, talk about the value that you are bringing like the book ideas, ask about the history of the company, challenges that you can’t resolve, get comfortable talking to your boss). In my experience, the hardest workers don’t get promoted. They silently work off in the corner, get frustrated, and find a job elsewhere. Someone who has a working relationship with their boss is much more likely to get promoted. When sweet, urgent, high-value projects come through the door, you want your boss to have you top of mind. That is less likely to happen if you are silently working away in the corner. Don’t wait for someone else to schedule that meeting. Set it up.
5. Boundaries. You need some with your mother and others. If you are uncomfortable, speak up! If you need help, call a friend.
6. Come to meetings prepared. Once upon a time, I worked for a major global company, and the motto was, “Be prepared to make a decision in the room.” Before the meeting, anticipate what will be asked and what will be discussed. For example, if you are going to discuss how to spend advertising dollars, you should research what your competitors are doing, perhaps research what is going on with X, formerly known as Twitter, because it seems that lots of advertisers have left the platform, research other alternate advertising platforms. When you go into the meeting, you will have data already at your fingertips so you can make a meaningful contribution. It also saves a lot of time because people don’t have to wait for you to go back to your desk, research a million things, and then get back to them. Especially in today’s business landscape, decisions need to be made quickly.
7. Talk therapy isn’t for everyone. In my experience, support groups have been really helpful. When I was around Maddie’s age, I hit a major spot of depression and started attending a weekly support group, “Coping With Depression” at Michigan State’s campus. When I listened to the others, I realized that they were crazy, but I knew that I thought some of those exact same crazy things. For example, a lot of people believed that no one wanted to be their friend. I knew that was a lie because I wanted to be their friend. I knew it wasn’t true. But where were these feelings coming from? Usually, it was loneliness, sadness, or disappointment, and these are absolutely normal emotions. So when the thought, “Nobody cares if I live or die!” came into my head, I would try to trace back where that came from. Usually, I was lonely or disappointed, and I gave myself permission to be lonely or disappointed, maybe call someone sympathetic to talk through that feeling, and most of the time the feeling passed very quickly when I wasn’t repressing my feelings. Identifying with others, finding understanding and connection helps.
8. Be kind to yourself. Learn to be a friend to yourself. No one can be perfect, and if you wouldn’t hold a friend to those impossibly high standards, you should cut yourself some slack. It is OK to disappoint people by communicating your needs. I’m still working on this one myself. It seems to be a life-long process.
How much I spent:
Electronic text – Free through Libby
Audiobook – Free through Libby
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1. When you need to terminate a relationship (aka break up with someone), make a PowerPoint presentation. This serves two purposes: 1) the receiver will have an opportunity to learn how to become a better human being and 2) when you are lonely in 2 weeks, 2 months, or 2 years, nostalgic for a relationship that wasn’t “that bad”, you can open up your PowerPoint and remember in crystal clear clarity why you dumped that loser.
2. Make informed choices. Before jumping in the sack with someone, ask for STI testing. If you are old enough to participate in adult activities, you should be responsible. Do you want a life-long virus for someone who you went only went on 3 dates with? If the person really does care about you, they shouldn't have a problem getting tested.
3. When a tragedy strikes a co-worker, that person will always remember how they were treated. A co-worker of mine had a stillborn child. A corporate wide email went out specifically telling us not to talk about it because she didn’t want to talk about what happened 300 times. As a people leader (fancy word for boss), I know that some people want to dive right back into work and want a distraction. Other people will need to go slowly. This is where I would have a private discussion with my employee telling them exactly that, that I have his or her back no matter what and to tell me what they need and to let me know if they change their mind.
4. Getting credit at work. No one likes working with an arrogant person. And there is a big difference between school and work. At work, there is a team. When my team prepares a tax return, it doesn’t matter if I worked on it 90%, the associate 5%, the partner 5%. We win and lose as a team. I would never put in an email, “Here is the tax return where I did most of the work.” That wouldn’t go over well, and it would decimate team morale. Instead, Maddie needs to schedule 30 minutes with her boss each week. Go to that meeting each week with a list of questions and talking points (establish expectations like the milk, discuss career growth, wanting to be in Creative meetings, talk about the value that you are bringing like the book ideas, ask about the history of the company, challenges that you can’t resolve, get comfortable talking to your boss). In my experience, the hardest workers don’t get promoted. They silently work off in the corner, get frustrated, and find a job elsewhere. Someone who has a working relationship with their boss is much more likely to get promoted. When sweet, urgent, high-value projects come through the door, you want your boss to have you top of mind. That is less likely to happen if you are silently working away in the corner. Don’t wait for someone else to schedule that meeting. Set it up.
5. Boundaries. You need some with your mother and others. If you are uncomfortable, speak up! If you need help, call a friend.
6. Come to meetings prepared. Once upon a time, I worked for a major global company, and the motto was, “Be prepared to make a decision in the room.” Before the meeting, anticipate what will be asked and what will be discussed. For example, if you are going to discuss how to spend advertising dollars, you should research what your competitors are doing, perhaps research what is going on with X, formerly known as Twitter, because it seems that lots of advertisers have left the platform, research other alternate advertising platforms. When you go into the meeting, you will have data already at your fingertips so you can make a meaningful contribution. It also saves a lot of time because people don’t have to wait for you to go back to your desk, research a million things, and then get back to them. Especially in today’s business landscape, decisions need to be made quickly.
7. Talk therapy isn’t for everyone. In my experience, support groups have been really helpful. When I was around Maddie’s age, I hit a major spot of depression and started attending a weekly support group, “Coping With Depression” at Michigan State’s campus. When I listened to the others, I realized that they were crazy, but I knew that I thought some of those exact same crazy things. For example, a lot of people believed that no one wanted to be their friend. I knew that was a lie because I wanted to be their friend. I knew it wasn’t true. But where were these feelings coming from? Usually, it was loneliness, sadness, or disappointment, and these are absolutely normal emotions. So when the thought, “Nobody cares if I live or die!” came into my head, I would try to trace back where that came from. Usually, I was lonely or disappointed, and I gave myself permission to be lonely or disappointed, maybe call someone sympathetic to talk through that feeling, and most of the time the feeling passed very quickly when I wasn’t repressing my feelings. Identifying with others, finding understanding and connection helps.
8. Be kind to yourself. Learn to be a friend to yourself. No one can be perfect, and if you wouldn’t hold a friend to those impossibly high standards, you should cut yourself some slack. It is OK to disappoint people by communicating your needs. I’m still working on this one myself. It seems to be a life-long process.
How much I spent:
Electronic text – Free through Libby
Audiobook – Free through Libby
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February 9, 2024
**Many thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Jessica George for an ARC of this book! Now available as of 1.31!!**
"Not until we are lost do we begin to understand ourselves."-Henry David Thoreau
In the English-Twi dictionary, "maame" means mother, and can also mean to bring "to bring up a child with love and care." And although Maddie has had this nickname for many years, the role of caretaker isn't necessarily one she feels born to fulfill...but she does so anyway. Maddie's father has late stage Parkinson's, and with her mother traipsing back and forth between London and Ghana (where mom runs a hostel), Maddie has been the steadfast, reliable daughter who puts her own aspirations on the back burner more often than not to be the rock her father needs to get from day to day.
When Maddie's mother finally decides to return for more than a fleeting moment and put down some sort of roots, it feels like a sign, and Maddie is ready to break free. Free of what, though, she isn't sure. She starts with embarking on a new career and moves into her own place with two roommates. But grappling with a new career as an admin at a publishing company isn't quite the drastic switch she was hoping for...and when romance taps her on the shoulder, Maddie isn't exactly sure she's ready for that either. And when a tragic situation shakes up Maddie's world for good, she begins to question EVERY choice she's made in this new life. Will Maddie's 'failure to launch', coupled with the timing of this tragic incident, keep her mired in depression and paralyzed by fear? Or can this instead become the true watershed moment she has been so desperately seeking?
I'll admit that I knew very little about this book going in and wasn't exactly sold by the cover, but I have to say by about 10%, I KNEW this was going to be on my 2023 favorites list. George's writing is smooth and effortless, and with the way this book is narrated, I felt like I truly UNDERSTOOD Maddie as a character almost immediately. Her style of first person narration is simultaneously charming and conflicted, and I was invested in her journey immediately. I think part of the reason I grew to care for Maddie so quickly was that I saw so much of my younger (and to some extent, current) self in her and above all, I just wanted to see her THRIVE!
Though somewhat misguided and a bit too reliant on Google, Maddie has a pure and loving heart and a selfless nature, and it's no wonder that even in her mid-20s she is struggling to find her voice and her place in the world. So much of her past is heartbreaking, her relationship with her family members is as twisted and convoluted as most, and yet...even in the wake of her worst decisions, I just wanted to reach out and reassure her that the answers DO come...at least, for the most part.
People often say to "be the person you needed when you were younger"...but in terms of this book, this felt like the READ I needed when I was younger, but I am still so grateful to get it now. George has just the right balance of silly moments and humor (at times Maddie's inner dialogue and angel on her shoulder reminded me of Zach Braff a la Scrubs and his 'daydreams', which was always delightful) and yet, she handles heavy topics like depression and finding personal fulfillment, what it means to be family and what you can (or can't) expect from those you love, and the joy AND pain that can come from navigating through your first real relationship in equal measure.
This is bildungsroman the way it was meant to be written: moving, impactful, thoughtful, emotional, and as ever-evolving as life itself. A truly effortless and beautiful debut!
4.5 stars
Nominated for Best Fiction and Best Debut in the Goodreads Choice Awards! Also available now in paperback!
"Not until we are lost do we begin to understand ourselves."-Henry David Thoreau
In the English-Twi dictionary, "maame" means mother, and can also mean to bring "to bring up a child with love and care." And although Maddie has had this nickname for many years, the role of caretaker isn't necessarily one she feels born to fulfill...but she does so anyway. Maddie's father has late stage Parkinson's, and with her mother traipsing back and forth between London and Ghana (where mom runs a hostel), Maddie has been the steadfast, reliable daughter who puts her own aspirations on the back burner more often than not to be the rock her father needs to get from day to day.
When Maddie's mother finally decides to return for more than a fleeting moment and put down some sort of roots, it feels like a sign, and Maddie is ready to break free. Free of what, though, she isn't sure. She starts with embarking on a new career and moves into her own place with two roommates. But grappling with a new career as an admin at a publishing company isn't quite the drastic switch she was hoping for...and when romance taps her on the shoulder, Maddie isn't exactly sure she's ready for that either. And when a tragic situation shakes up Maddie's world for good, she begins to question EVERY choice she's made in this new life. Will Maddie's 'failure to launch', coupled with the timing of this tragic incident, keep her mired in depression and paralyzed by fear? Or can this instead become the true watershed moment she has been so desperately seeking?
I'll admit that I knew very little about this book going in and wasn't exactly sold by the cover, but I have to say by about 10%, I KNEW this was going to be on my 2023 favorites list. George's writing is smooth and effortless, and with the way this book is narrated, I felt like I truly UNDERSTOOD Maddie as a character almost immediately. Her style of first person narration is simultaneously charming and conflicted, and I was invested in her journey immediately. I think part of the reason I grew to care for Maddie so quickly was that I saw so much of my younger (and to some extent, current) self in her and above all, I just wanted to see her THRIVE!
Though somewhat misguided and a bit too reliant on Google, Maddie has a pure and loving heart and a selfless nature, and it's no wonder that even in her mid-20s she is struggling to find her voice and her place in the world. So much of her past is heartbreaking, her relationship with her family members is as twisted and convoluted as most, and yet...even in the wake of her worst decisions, I just wanted to reach out and reassure her that the answers DO come...at least, for the most part.
People often say to "be the person you needed when you were younger"...but in terms of this book, this felt like the READ I needed when I was younger, but I am still so grateful to get it now. George has just the right balance of silly moments and humor (at times Maddie's inner dialogue and angel on her shoulder reminded me of Zach Braff a la Scrubs and his 'daydreams', which was always delightful) and yet, she handles heavy topics like depression and finding personal fulfillment, what it means to be family and what you can (or can't) expect from those you love, and the joy AND pain that can come from navigating through your first real relationship in equal measure.
This is bildungsroman the way it was meant to be written: moving, impactful, thoughtful, emotional, and as ever-evolving as life itself. A truly effortless and beautiful debut!
4.5 stars
Nominated for Best Fiction and Best Debut in the Goodreads Choice Awards! Also available now in paperback!
February 11, 2023
1.5 stars
Sadly, this book is going into the "not for me in '23", pile, as I found it juvenile and so unbelievable.
The main protagonist is twenty-five and supposedly lived in a convent tucked away in the Himalayas. (just kidding). However, she is ott naive, has an absentee mother who rules the roost even though she is never present, a sick father, an unfeeling brother, zero friends, and lives at home.
I don't really know how she got this far is life but then we find out when in doubt ask google, such questions as should I have sex on a third date, (yes, she finally snags a boyfriend). The questions to google are not only stupid but also annoying. I realize this woman was a neophyte in the world but honestly had she never watched TV, gone to a movie, overheard people talk, or even attended a biology class? (although she attended college and graduated with an English Lit degree, she must have fallen asleep during classes). She works in a dead end job and then gets fired. Oh the woes keep on coming for Maddie!
The transformation of Maddie in the second half of the book happens somewhat instantaneously as she moves out of her family home after tragedy happens, bares a bushel full of guilt, becomes a hot number, experiences racism, and so on. In other words the author followed the "kitchen sink" motif in the story.
I did see potential in the story, and since it has garnered so many 4-5 star reviews, I persisted in listening to this one. All I can say, is perhaps I read a different rendering of this book. So sad to say, I did finish but with a rousing "what the heck" was that?
Thank you to NetGalley for an opportunity to listen to this story.
(Outlier Island is pretty lonely this go round)
Sadly, this book is going into the "not for me in '23", pile, as I found it juvenile and so unbelievable.
The main protagonist is twenty-five and supposedly lived in a convent tucked away in the Himalayas. (just kidding). However, she is ott naive, has an absentee mother who rules the roost even though she is never present, a sick father, an unfeeling brother, zero friends, and lives at home.
I don't really know how she got this far is life but then we find out when in doubt ask google, such questions as should I have sex on a third date, (yes, she finally snags a boyfriend). The questions to google are not only stupid but also annoying. I realize this woman was a neophyte in the world but honestly had she never watched TV, gone to a movie, overheard people talk, or even attended a biology class? (although she attended college and graduated with an English Lit degree, she must have fallen asleep during classes). She works in a dead end job and then gets fired. Oh the woes keep on coming for Maddie!
The transformation of Maddie in the second half of the book happens somewhat instantaneously as she moves out of her family home after tragedy happens, bares a bushel full of guilt, becomes a hot number, experiences racism, and so on. In other words the author followed the "kitchen sink" motif in the story.
I did see potential in the story, and since it has garnered so many 4-5 star reviews, I persisted in listening to this one. All I can say, is perhaps I read a different rendering of this book. So sad to say, I did finish but with a rousing "what the heck" was that?
Thank you to NetGalley for an opportunity to listen to this story.
(Outlier Island is pretty lonely this go round)
January 31, 2023
Maame means woman in Twi. It’s also the name that Maddie’s mother has called her from an early age.
The book was described as humorous. Well, heads up. There’s nothing humorous about the first section of the book. Maddie’s life is depressing - she cares for a father with advanced Parkinson’s, her mother is in Ghana but still is overbearing, her boss is a cruel idiot. I couldn’t figure out why Maddie lies. She tells no one, not even her close friend, how poorly her father is doing. When she hurts her back lifting her father, she even lies to the doctor. But later in the book, even she realizes why she’s doing it and it makes so much sense.
In many ways, she’s very innocent and young for her age. Oh, I wanted to just take her aside and explain things to her. Although, as one of her friends states, some things you just have to go through yourself. As the book progresses, she starts to find her voice and speak up for herself. As one responsible daughter watching another, I was definitely rooting for her.
The book is partially written as if Maddie is speaking directly to the reader. “You’ve now met my mother, so are at least partway to understanding why I can’t tell her…” Other times, it’s just a straight first person narrative. Maddie has an unhealthy reliance on using Google for everything and we are subjected to her searches. Some of the instances were humorous but I also felt like George was trying to make a point but she was hitting me over the head to make sure I got it.
Overall, this was a lovely debut novel with a fully realized main character. It tackles some difficult themes (grief, racism, depression, parental absence) with insight, strength and compassion. I loved the ending.
My thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for an advance copy of this book.
Update - Jenna Bush just picked this for her February book club. Great selection!
The book was described as humorous. Well, heads up. There’s nothing humorous about the first section of the book. Maddie’s life is depressing - she cares for a father with advanced Parkinson’s, her mother is in Ghana but still is overbearing, her boss is a cruel idiot. I couldn’t figure out why Maddie lies. She tells no one, not even her close friend, how poorly her father is doing. When she hurts her back lifting her father, she even lies to the doctor. But later in the book, even she realizes why she’s doing it and it makes so much sense.
In many ways, she’s very innocent and young for her age. Oh, I wanted to just take her aside and explain things to her. Although, as one of her friends states, some things you just have to go through yourself. As the book progresses, she starts to find her voice and speak up for herself. As one responsible daughter watching another, I was definitely rooting for her.
The book is partially written as if Maddie is speaking directly to the reader. “You’ve now met my mother, so are at least partway to understanding why I can’t tell her…” Other times, it’s just a straight first person narrative. Maddie has an unhealthy reliance on using Google for everything and we are subjected to her searches. Some of the instances were humorous but I also felt like George was trying to make a point but she was hitting me over the head to make sure I got it.
Overall, this was a lovely debut novel with a fully realized main character. It tackles some difficult themes (grief, racism, depression, parental absence) with insight, strength and compassion. I loved the ending.
My thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for an advance copy of this book.
Update - Jenna Bush just picked this for her February book club. Great selection!
November 21, 2022
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I don’t know what will happen when Mum returns to Ghana,
but I have a year at least, a year to find out what all the fuss is about.
What I liked about this book was how much I loved the main character Maddie. Her internal dialogue shows a mature young woman who is wise beyond her years in so many ways and immature for her age in so many others. She is also unabashedly human and oh-so-funny. She has two good friends who have her back and are wonderful side characters. I loved how fierce they were and how they helped and stood up for Maddie.
This is impeccable storytelling, in every sense of the word, with themes of family dynamics, sexuality, race, feminism, and growing as a person as well as up. I hated Maddie's mom, and on a smaller scale her brother, with a passion. Her mother was absent, condescending, and just plain rude. Although she has her reasons, to me they just weren't good enough and came across as excuses.
I enjoyed so much about this wonderfully written, heartfelt, and captivating story. I really loved being on Maddie's journey. What a wonderful debut. I can't wait to see what Ms. George comes up with next!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the Advance Readers Copy.
#NetGalley
I don’t know what will happen when Mum returns to Ghana,
but I have a year at least, a year to find out what all the fuss is about.
What I liked about this book was how much I loved the main character Maddie. Her internal dialogue shows a mature young woman who is wise beyond her years in so many ways and immature for her age in so many others. She is also unabashedly human and oh-so-funny. She has two good friends who have her back and are wonderful side characters. I loved how fierce they were and how they helped and stood up for Maddie.
This is impeccable storytelling, in every sense of the word, with themes of family dynamics, sexuality, race, feminism, and growing as a person as well as up. I hated Maddie's mom, and on a smaller scale her brother, with a passion. Her mother was absent, condescending, and just plain rude. Although she has her reasons, to me they just weren't good enough and came across as excuses.
I enjoyed so much about this wonderfully written, heartfelt, and captivating story. I really loved being on Maddie's journey. What a wonderful debut. I can't wait to see what Ms. George comes up with next!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the Advance Readers Copy.
#NetGalley
dnf
February 9, 2023I’m on outlier island again. I made it to chapter 9, but a coming of age of a 20-something is not for me.
December 22, 2022
I was totally transfixed listening to this debut novel!! The audiobook is narrated by Heather Agyepong and her voice perfectly matches the author's words!
Maddie is a 25 y/o Black woman who has lived a very “limited” life so far. She is still living in her parents’ home in London since she is caring for her father who has Parkinson’s disease.
Although Maddie has gone to University, she was a commuter and didn’t really get that “college life experience”, always having to go to work or come home to care for her dad.
She is tired of being the only Black person where she works and knows that she is working at a job that she is over qualified for, it doesn’t help that her boss doesn’t appreciate or listen to Maddie’s suggestions. She just isn’t sure how to move forward!
Her mother, who goes to Ghana for a year at a time, finally returns! It is finally time for Maddie to find her own flat and live her own life!!
She experiences new friendships with her flatmates who also bring her with them to parties, bars, etc. She experiences first love, first heartbreak and learns that people aren’t always what they appear to be!
The author’s bio states that she was born and raised in London to Ghanian parents and studied English Lit at the University of Sheffield.
I don’t know how much of Maddie’s real life is evoked in this novel but I think it’s a stunning debut not to be missed!!
I received the audiobook from MacMillan audio and the publisher through NetGalley. It was my pleasure to listen to and review this novel.
Maddie is a 25 y/o Black woman who has lived a very “limited” life so far. She is still living in her parents’ home in London since she is caring for her father who has Parkinson’s disease.
Although Maddie has gone to University, she was a commuter and didn’t really get that “college life experience”, always having to go to work or come home to care for her dad.
She is tired of being the only Black person where she works and knows that she is working at a job that she is over qualified for, it doesn’t help that her boss doesn’t appreciate or listen to Maddie’s suggestions. She just isn’t sure how to move forward!
Her mother, who goes to Ghana for a year at a time, finally returns! It is finally time for Maddie to find her own flat and live her own life!!
She experiences new friendships with her flatmates who also bring her with them to parties, bars, etc. She experiences first love, first heartbreak and learns that people aren’t always what they appear to be!
The author’s bio states that she was born and raised in London to Ghanian parents and studied English Lit at the University of Sheffield.
I don’t know how much of Maddie’s real life is evoked in this novel but I think it’s a stunning debut not to be missed!!
I received the audiobook from MacMillan audio and the publisher through NetGalley. It was my pleasure to listen to and review this novel.
January 31, 2023
Now Available
Maame is a debut novel by Jessica George. It is a bildungsroman story of 25-year-old Maddie Wright, born and raised in London to Ghanaian parents and studied English Literature in college. After she is unfairly fired from a job at a theater, she lands a job in the editorial department of a small publishing company. It is interesting to note that the author, Jessica George, was born and raised in London to Ghanaian parents and studied English Literature. After working at a literary agency and a theatre, she landed a job in the editorial department of Bloomsbury UK. This makes me wonder how much of the story is autobiographical.
Maame has many meanings in Twi, the native language of Maddie's parents. But in Maddie's case, it means "woman." When her mother called her that as a young girl, Maddie was flattered. But at 25, after many years of parental neglect, Maddie hates how the name made her grow up when she was too young. When her mother regularly leaves London and goes to Ghana for a year or more at a time, Maddie is left to care for her sick father. She gives up her social life in order to be one of his caregivers. Her parents forbid her from talking about their odd family situation, so Maddie can never reveal her true self to her friends. She is lonely and depressed. All she wants is to be less sad. Her mother encourages her to move out of the family home upon her latest return from Ghana. But soon after Maddie leaves, the unimaginable happens to her father, and guilt and grief come bearing down.
She starts out as a very naive young woman, trying to navigate family, career, dating, and the freedom to be an adult. Maddie's pain is palatable and believable. She lacks confidence and tries very hard to be a people pleaser. She struggles with grief and panic attacks. She makes unwise dating decisions. Through the help of counseling and her own self-determination, Maddie learns to become the type of "maame" she is meant to be.
The first part of the novel was a little slow for me, but by the end, I was fully invested in Maddie's character. 4-plus stars.
Maame is a debut novel by Jessica George. It is a bildungsroman story of 25-year-old Maddie Wright, born and raised in London to Ghanaian parents and studied English Literature in college. After she is unfairly fired from a job at a theater, she lands a job in the editorial department of a small publishing company. It is interesting to note that the author, Jessica George, was born and raised in London to Ghanaian parents and studied English Literature. After working at a literary agency and a theatre, she landed a job in the editorial department of Bloomsbury UK. This makes me wonder how much of the story is autobiographical.
Maame has many meanings in Twi, the native language of Maddie's parents. But in Maddie's case, it means "woman." When her mother called her that as a young girl, Maddie was flattered. But at 25, after many years of parental neglect, Maddie hates how the name made her grow up when she was too young. When her mother regularly leaves London and goes to Ghana for a year or more at a time, Maddie is left to care for her sick father. She gives up her social life in order to be one of his caregivers. Her parents forbid her from talking about their odd family situation, so Maddie can never reveal her true self to her friends. She is lonely and depressed. All she wants is to be less sad. Her mother encourages her to move out of the family home upon her latest return from Ghana. But soon after Maddie leaves, the unimaginable happens to her father, and guilt and grief come bearing down.
She starts out as a very naive young woman, trying to navigate family, career, dating, and the freedom to be an adult. Maddie's pain is palatable and believable. She lacks confidence and tries very hard to be a people pleaser. She struggles with grief and panic attacks. She makes unwise dating decisions. Through the help of counseling and her own self-determination, Maddie learns to become the type of "maame" she is meant to be.
The first part of the novel was a little slow for me, but by the end, I was fully invested in Maddie's character. 4-plus stars.
July 30, 2022
This book was a mixed bag for me. The most compelling parts involved how Maddie navigated both grief and her mother's abandonment, having to grow up too soon and care for her ailing father alone. These sections were deeply felt, expressed, and lived-in. George's choice for the title, Maame, illustrates this, as Maddie's feelings about what the nickname meant to her and how that changed over time paralleled her journey and growth throughout the book. George understands family--how you can love someone completely yet hold deep reserves of anger for the choices they made. In the end, Maddie showed both grace and compassion for her imperfect parents whom, like many of us, she didn't see fully as their own people with lives and secrets until tragedy allowed her to confront them.
Where the book faltered for me was its depictions of Maddie outside her family home, mainly her love life. These parts seemed much more juvenile--how quickly the virginal Maddie had men fall head-over-heels gaga for her. All of her dates and conversations with men seemed a little too perfect and scripted, even if the relationships did not end in a fairy tale match. George's device of having Maddie constantly Google things--some things no twenty five year-old should rely on a search engine for ("Can I date my flatmate's ex-boyfriend?"), made the book seem more like YA than adult fiction. I also wonder why, in at least three instances, George has Maddie refer to the reader, as if she was consciously writing a book of her story. SPOILER ALERT- At the end, we DO discover Maddie is writing a book about her father, but it's not implied that the book we're reading is THE book, as the scope of the story then presumably wouldn't involve Maddie's roommates, love life, work life, etc.
There's certainly some good here, but the book was just okay for me.
Where the book faltered for me was its depictions of Maddie outside her family home, mainly her love life. These parts seemed much more juvenile--how quickly the virginal Maddie had men fall head-over-heels gaga for her. All of her dates and conversations with men seemed a little too perfect and scripted, even if the relationships did not end in a fairy tale match. George's device of having Maddie constantly Google things--some things no twenty five year-old should rely on a search engine for ("Can I date my flatmate's ex-boyfriend?"), made the book seem more like YA than adult fiction. I also wonder why, in at least three instances, George has Maddie refer to the reader, as if she was consciously writing a book of her story. SPOILER ALERT- At the end, we DO discover Maddie is writing a book about her father, but it's not implied that the book we're reading is THE book, as the scope of the story then presumably wouldn't involve Maddie's roommates, love life, work life, etc.
There's certainly some good here, but the book was just okay for me.
May 1, 2023
3.5 stars
I chose the wrong format for Maame.
I went with the audiobook, and while I can say with great sincerity that Heather Agyepong did a fine job narrating Jessica George’s debut novel, for me, something was missing. Something got lost in the audio translation.
Maddie, called Maame by her Ghanian mother, is a twenty-something Black woman still living in her family home in London in order to care for her ailing father. Her mother is in Ghana, her brother is wrapped up in his own life, and her job is not ideal. Maddie needs a change – and fast.
When her mother returns to London, Maddie is thrilled to finally move out on her own and begin her life. Which means checking off items on her to-do list, like renting an apartment, socializing with friends, dating, and focusing on her career. But then tragedy strikes, and Maddie’s new life comes crashing down around her, forcing her to re-evaluate not only her family and friends, but herself, too.
So what is it about Maame that got lost in the audio translation? The emotion of the story.
As a lead character, Maddie is quite endearing. Her story is the classic coming-of-age tale, where a young woman matures and discovers who she is and what life she wants to lead. (Google helps her a lot with this, by the way.) She’s kind, hard-working, and sensible, which makes it difficult not to care for her.
But I didn’t feel much when I listened to her story. I wanted to; I really did. The emotion just never came, and I didn’t feel invested in her life.
Others have loved Maame, though, so please don’t hesitate to pick it up. Only read it, don’t listen to it. It’ll be the difference between a three- and a four-star read, I think.
I chose the wrong format for Maame.
I went with the audiobook, and while I can say with great sincerity that Heather Agyepong did a fine job narrating Jessica George’s debut novel, for me, something was missing. Something got lost in the audio translation.
Maddie, called Maame by her Ghanian mother, is a twenty-something Black woman still living in her family home in London in order to care for her ailing father. Her mother is in Ghana, her brother is wrapped up in his own life, and her job is not ideal. Maddie needs a change – and fast.
When her mother returns to London, Maddie is thrilled to finally move out on her own and begin her life. Which means checking off items on her to-do list, like renting an apartment, socializing with friends, dating, and focusing on her career. But then tragedy strikes, and Maddie’s new life comes crashing down around her, forcing her to re-evaluate not only her family and friends, but herself, too.
So what is it about Maame that got lost in the audio translation? The emotion of the story.
As a lead character, Maddie is quite endearing. Her story is the classic coming-of-age tale, where a young woman matures and discovers who she is and what life she wants to lead. (Google helps her a lot with this, by the way.) She’s kind, hard-working, and sensible, which makes it difficult not to care for her.
But I didn’t feel much when I listened to her story. I wanted to; I really did. The emotion just never came, and I didn’t feel invested in her life.
Others have loved Maame, though, so please don’t hesitate to pick it up. Only read it, don’t listen to it. It’ll be the difference between a three- and a four-star read, I think.
December 15, 2022
Family can be messy.
Maddie is the primary care giver for her father who has Parkinson’s, while her mother resides most of the time in Ghana. Her brother, James resides locally but is not very involved. Maddie also has a job but finds it to be unfulfilling.
Her mother is overbearing to say the least. She wants Maddie to date and get married. She also cites bible verses and always seems to know what is best for her daughter, even though she has been absent for a huge portion of her life.
Maddie is a people pleaser and does not put herself first. She is mature beyond her years in many ways, and not mature at all in others. When her mother comes back to London, Maddie moves into a flat and experiences living with roommate. Maddie makes a list of things the new Maddie should do and embraces them. Along the way, she has many new experiences - some good; some bad.
When Maddie and her family are dealing with horrible news, Maddie must face some "truths" and begins to grow in many aspects of her life.
Maddie was an interesting character, and I wanted many times to tell her to stand up for herself and be strong. To make her voice known and put her foot down. I felt her brother and mother were constantly asking too much from her yet never really took the time to get to know her. I enjoyed and cheered for her as Maddie began to grow and find her voice and footing.
This was a coming-of-age story that looks at culture, family, friendship, responsibility, loyalty, love, and growth. There is also the aspect of the power of a name. Our names are huge part of our identity. Maddie is called Maame from an early age. A name that means woman. She felt the responsibility and power of that name all her life. I found this to be a very interesting part of the story.
I enjoyed the second half of the book more than the first part, mainly because I was happy to see change occurring.
*Buddy read with Traveling Friends/sisters
Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
Maddie is the primary care giver for her father who has Parkinson’s, while her mother resides most of the time in Ghana. Her brother, James resides locally but is not very involved. Maddie also has a job but finds it to be unfulfilling.
Her mother is overbearing to say the least. She wants Maddie to date and get married. She also cites bible verses and always seems to know what is best for her daughter, even though she has been absent for a huge portion of her life.
Maddie is a people pleaser and does not put herself first. She is mature beyond her years in many ways, and not mature at all in others. When her mother comes back to London, Maddie moves into a flat and experiences living with roommate. Maddie makes a list of things the new Maddie should do and embraces them. Along the way, she has many new experiences - some good; some bad.
When Maddie and her family are dealing with horrible news, Maddie must face some "truths" and begins to grow in many aspects of her life.
Maddie was an interesting character, and I wanted many times to tell her to stand up for herself and be strong. To make her voice known and put her foot down. I felt her brother and mother were constantly asking too much from her yet never really took the time to get to know her. I enjoyed and cheered for her as Maddie began to grow and find her voice and footing.
This was a coming-of-age story that looks at culture, family, friendship, responsibility, loyalty, love, and growth. There is also the aspect of the power of a name. Our names are huge part of our identity. Maddie is called Maame from an early age. A name that means woman. She felt the responsibility and power of that name all her life. I found this to be a very interesting part of the story.
I enjoyed the second half of the book more than the first part, mainly because I was happy to see change occurring.
*Buddy read with Traveling Friends/sisters
Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
August 3, 2023
5 incredible debut stars!
A beautifully written blend of quirky, funny, sad and serious.
This novel follows Maddie, a young woman caring for her aging father who has Parkinson’s disease. Maddie’s mother spends most of her time in Ghana running the family business depending on Maddie to stay in London to run the household in her absence. Maddie struggles to find her sense of self while carrying the weight of her family household, facing the pressure of her mothers overbearing personality from afar, and overcoming workplace challenges.
I adored Maddie. She is an incredible character who will stay with me long after finishing this book. I felt for her, rooted for her, cried for her, longed for her to see her worth and gain confidence. I loved following her journey of self discovery. I enjoyed how this novel was a narrative of her inner thoughts, giving the reader full disclosure of her social awkwardness and tendency to over analyze every situation. Several heavy themes are explored through the lighter lens of a quirky, endearing, loveable main character.
Through this story, I deeply felt the heaviness of the expectations placed on Maddie by her mother which was heartbreaking. The expectations were a mixture of Ghanaian culture along with the strong pushy personality of her mother.
Branching out from her family in her late 20’s, Maddie has a lot of growing and learning to do in order to figure out who she really is and what she wants out of life. After caring for her father for so many years, she lost (or never really found) her voice and sense of identity.
Maddie faces various challenges and passes several life milestones throughout this novel — moving out, depression, racism, dating, financial burden, roommate struggles, death of a loved one, etc. These challenges were well explored, making me feel a strong investment in each aspect of Maddie’s life.
This was a fantastic, unique, memorable book that easily earned a spot on my 2023 Favourites Shelf!
A beautifully written blend of quirky, funny, sad and serious.
This novel follows Maddie, a young woman caring for her aging father who has Parkinson’s disease. Maddie’s mother spends most of her time in Ghana running the family business depending on Maddie to stay in London to run the household in her absence. Maddie struggles to find her sense of self while carrying the weight of her family household, facing the pressure of her mothers overbearing personality from afar, and overcoming workplace challenges.
I adored Maddie. She is an incredible character who will stay with me long after finishing this book. I felt for her, rooted for her, cried for her, longed for her to see her worth and gain confidence. I loved following her journey of self discovery. I enjoyed how this novel was a narrative of her inner thoughts, giving the reader full disclosure of her social awkwardness and tendency to over analyze every situation. Several heavy themes are explored through the lighter lens of a quirky, endearing, loveable main character.
Through this story, I deeply felt the heaviness of the expectations placed on Maddie by her mother which was heartbreaking. The expectations were a mixture of Ghanaian culture along with the strong pushy personality of her mother.
Branching out from her family in her late 20’s, Maddie has a lot of growing and learning to do in order to figure out who she really is and what she wants out of life. After caring for her father for so many years, she lost (or never really found) her voice and sense of identity.
Maddie faces various challenges and passes several life milestones throughout this novel — moving out, depression, racism, dating, financial burden, roommate struggles, death of a loved one, etc. These challenges were well explored, making me feel a strong investment in each aspect of Maddie’s life.
This was a fantastic, unique, memorable book that easily earned a spot on my 2023 Favourites Shelf!
September 10, 2025
4/5
- Such a great book to read if you want to read a real & raw story of someone navigating grief. There were so many moments where I could have easily cried because I felt so many emotions.
- If you want to read a story that feels like a coming of age story of a girl in her late 20’s, you’ll love this one. Love how she truly was finding her way from start to finish in this story.
- This is one of those stories that every woman should read! You’ll feel so validated in your own life experiences!
- Such a great book to read if you want to read a real & raw story of someone navigating grief. There were so many moments where I could have easily cried because I felt so many emotions.
- If you want to read a story that feels like a coming of age story of a girl in her late 20’s, you’ll love this one. Love how she truly was finding her way from start to finish in this story.
- This is one of those stories that every woman should read! You’ll feel so validated in your own life experiences!
August 11, 2023
2.5⭐️ maybe I'd have enjoyed this more if I weren't Ghanaian
I was told this is a moving book, yeah it moved me alright, to throw the book through my window.
There's been a lot of hype around this book yet reads like it was written by a 12 year old. I'm unsure if Maddie(25 y/old) is supposed to be naive or just constantly prejudice towards others, tone-deaf, dumb and in need of a fucking spine.
*** incoming minor spoiler
A cute guy made small talk with her and asked for her number, she gave it him and started to freak out asking "WHAT DOES THAT EVEN MEAN?" then she proceeds to google it but stops herself because phones out during theater performance are prohibited 🤦🏽♀️
Update: Someone mentioned that Maddie may be on the autism spectrum though it wasn't inferred or mentioned *sighs* if that's so I sympathize and it would explain a lot of her thoughts and actions.
I was told this is a moving book, yeah it moved me alright, to throw the book through my window.
There's been a lot of hype around this book yet reads like it was written by a 12 year old. I'm unsure if Maddie(25 y/old) is supposed to be naive or just constantly prejudice towards others, tone-deaf, dumb and in need of a fucking spine.
*** incoming minor spoiler
A cute guy made small talk with her and asked for her number, she gave it him and started to freak out asking "WHAT DOES THAT EVEN MEAN?" then she proceeds to google it but stops herself because phones out during theater performance are prohibited 🤦🏽♀️
Update: Someone mentioned that Maddie may be on the autism spectrum though it wasn't inferred or mentioned *sighs* if that's so I sympathize and it would explain a lot of her thoughts and actions.
February 27, 2023
Audiobook….read by Heather
Agyepong
…..10 hours and 10 minutes
My faith in high-rating, highly anticipated debut novels has been restored.
Our twenty-five year star Maame, (Maddie), a London Ghanaian - a young woman to root for - has a full plate of responsibilities …. self-doubt ….worries …. cultural struggles …. guilt ….and very little support.
Jessica George dazzles us with her heartfelt blend of humor and pathos. Wonderful comic/tragic witty prose.
It’s irresistibly touching with a ‘flawed-beauty’ protagonist.
Maddie is at the center of this coming-of-age story…..
with her overly self-involved mother, a dying father, and an absent brother. The discovery of new friends and lovers adds to her personal growth.
The audiobook was fantastic.
Heather Agyepong brought this book ‘alive’.
It was as much of a treat listening to her read this book as it was to discover a new author that I’d like to read again.
Between the wonderful storytelling and characters from Jessica George —
—the honesty and self deprecation she brings to this story ….
and Heather Agyepong’s enlightening reading …..
‘Maame’ was very enjoyable, and fully entertaining….
but at the same time it had many real world insights.
Last….
….I ‘love’ when a popular book doesn’t disappoint.
Congrats to the author and audio-reader! Both should definitely have a bright future ahead of them!
4.5 rating…. Rating up for the overall remarkable-ness of this engaging debut.
Agyepong
…..10 hours and 10 minutes
My faith in high-rating, highly anticipated debut novels has been restored.
Our twenty-five year star Maame, (Maddie), a London Ghanaian - a young woman to root for - has a full plate of responsibilities …. self-doubt ….worries …. cultural struggles …. guilt ….and very little support.
Jessica George dazzles us with her heartfelt blend of humor and pathos. Wonderful comic/tragic witty prose.
It’s irresistibly touching with a ‘flawed-beauty’ protagonist.
Maddie is at the center of this coming-of-age story…..
with her overly self-involved mother, a dying father, and an absent brother. The discovery of new friends and lovers adds to her personal growth.
The audiobook was fantastic.
Heather Agyepong brought this book ‘alive’.
It was as much of a treat listening to her read this book as it was to discover a new author that I’d like to read again.
Between the wonderful storytelling and characters from Jessica George —
—the honesty and self deprecation she brings to this story ….
and Heather Agyepong’s enlightening reading …..
‘Maame’ was very enjoyable, and fully entertaining….
but at the same time it had many real world insights.
Last….
….I ‘love’ when a popular book doesn’t disappoint.
Congrats to the author and audio-reader! Both should definitely have a bright future ahead of them!
4.5 rating…. Rating up for the overall remarkable-ness of this engaging debut.
January 31, 2023
1.5⭐️
For whatever reason, I decided to finish this after originally dnf’ing this a week ago and what a mistake that was. Where do I start?
We follow Maame, the titular MC, who also goes by Maddie and who has a lot on her plate dealing with a dad with Parkinson’s disease, an absentee mom, a workplace that doesn’t appreciate her, and feeling like she’s missing out on all the great experiences everyone else her age is experiencing (relationships, socializing, sex).
Maddie was obnoxiously naive, ignorant, and annoying.
To start off, we’re supposed to believe Maddie is 25 years old when she thinks and behaves like a 15 year old. So much so, that this book read more like a YA contemporary than an adult literary book. And it’s not just bc Maddie has less life experience in terms of socializing and dating, it’s the childish way she thinks about things. A good chunk of the book is, I kid you not, Maddie literally just google searching any problem she is currently experiencing.
Here is just a short list of the things the MC enlists google to answer:
Where do you wear a yellow suit to?
Should You Knock on the Door of A New Flatmate
How to Prepare for a First Date
Is Pre-Date Exhaustion a thing
Does a Third Date Mean Sex
How to lose your virginity
What’s It Like Dating Someone Bisexual
That is not even all the things that they googled.
I mean did the author thinks this was cute or charming? Perhaps it could’ve been if it was just once, twice, or thrice and the questions weren’t so basic or obnoxious, but no.
Again there’s nothing wrong with Maddie being inexperienced in life but there’s a way to depict someone who grew up very sheltered and lacks experience but the author infantilized Maddie to the point where Maddie was clueless about things that you don’t need much experience to know, moreso just common sense. Her internal monologue also consisted of stuff like “DTF, I think that means down to fuck but I’ll google that later.” 1) Here we go again with the google shit. 2) These comments are accompanied by repeated proclamations of how Maddie never drinks, smokes weed, dates, socializes period so saying stuff like this in addition to what we already know about Maddie’s lack of social experiences is doing too much.
Onto the writing, which like the rest of the book is not good. First of all, the actual prose is way too casual for my taste. It is conversational. It is basic. It is emotionless. Especially the first 50%. It does not read like the prose of a published book, especially anything being shelved as literary, and it reminded me of the prose of the indie kindle unlimited books I used to read. But at least those were fun. The author was also doing this thing in the beginning where the 4th wall was occasionally broken. Maddie’s internal monologue would read:
I read a book, apply for jobs, then write. Don’t roll your eyes, please. I know it seems almost everyone wants to write something, but I used to write a lot at school.
Here, Maddie is telling the reader not to roll their eyes. Why break the fourth wall just to tell me that? Thankfully, this was a random thing I noticed that doesn’t continue throughout the book, but speaks to the random inconsistencies found in the book.
Maddie also embarks on a series of relationships throughout the book, and the only thing of note to say about it is that, unsurprisingly, Maddie has some pretty ignorant things to say about sexuality, bisexuality, and even lesbians. While on a dating app, Maddie looks through the profile of Alex, someone she’s interested in, and learns he’s bisexual. The first thing she thinks verbatim is:
Bisexual? Does that mean he’s only dating women right now? What happens when he prefers men again? Is that how it works? Can I ask him? Probably not.
This is soon followed up by more thoughts and conversations that make me uncomfy, more overall ignorance, lack of empathy, and just knowledge of how to behave like a decent human being by Maddie.
She literally picks up her phone one day and asks one of her closest friends “Why are you a lesbian and not bisexual?” Like, why would you ask someone that….
Less important is Maddie’s lack of experiences, and much more noteworthy is her lack of maturity.
I picked this up expecting a literary family drama starring a young Ghanaian MC, but all I got was kindle unlimited prose, biphobia, and google searches like: Should You Knock on the Door of A New Flatmate. A shame, truly.
Original DNF review:
DNF @ 10%.
This is a slice of life story following our 25 year old protagonist who has taken on the burden of caring for her Dad who has Parkinson’s. Unfortunately this book is just too mundane to me. I’m not sure what I was expecting here, a family drama or something more literary but this is more-so contemporary coming of age in your 20s fiction, which has an audience, but just isn’t for me.
For whatever reason, I decided to finish this after originally dnf’ing this a week ago and what a mistake that was. Where do I start?
We follow Maame, the titular MC, who also goes by Maddie and who has a lot on her plate dealing with a dad with Parkinson’s disease, an absentee mom, a workplace that doesn’t appreciate her, and feeling like she’s missing out on all the great experiences everyone else her age is experiencing (relationships, socializing, sex).
Maddie was obnoxiously naive, ignorant, and annoying.
To start off, we’re supposed to believe Maddie is 25 years old when she thinks and behaves like a 15 year old. So much so, that this book read more like a YA contemporary than an adult literary book. And it’s not just bc Maddie has less life experience in terms of socializing and dating, it’s the childish way she thinks about things. A good chunk of the book is, I kid you not, Maddie literally just google searching any problem she is currently experiencing.
Here is just a short list of the things the MC enlists google to answer:
Where do you wear a yellow suit to?
Should You Knock on the Door of A New Flatmate
How to Prepare for a First Date
Is Pre-Date Exhaustion a thing
Does a Third Date Mean Sex
How to lose your virginity
What’s It Like Dating Someone Bisexual
That is not even all the things that they googled.
I mean did the author thinks this was cute or charming? Perhaps it could’ve been if it was just once, twice, or thrice and the questions weren’t so basic or obnoxious, but no.
Again there’s nothing wrong with Maddie being inexperienced in life but there’s a way to depict someone who grew up very sheltered and lacks experience but the author infantilized Maddie to the point where Maddie was clueless about things that you don’t need much experience to know, moreso just common sense. Her internal monologue also consisted of stuff like “DTF, I think that means down to fuck but I’ll google that later.” 1) Here we go again with the google shit. 2) These comments are accompanied by repeated proclamations of how Maddie never drinks, smokes weed, dates, socializes period so saying stuff like this in addition to what we already know about Maddie’s lack of social experiences is doing too much.
Onto the writing, which like the rest of the book is not good. First of all, the actual prose is way too casual for my taste. It is conversational. It is basic. It is emotionless. Especially the first 50%. It does not read like the prose of a published book, especially anything being shelved as literary, and it reminded me of the prose of the indie kindle unlimited books I used to read. But at least those were fun. The author was also doing this thing in the beginning where the 4th wall was occasionally broken. Maddie’s internal monologue would read:
I read a book, apply for jobs, then write. Don’t roll your eyes, please. I know it seems almost everyone wants to write something, but I used to write a lot at school.
Here, Maddie is telling the reader not to roll their eyes. Why break the fourth wall just to tell me that? Thankfully, this was a random thing I noticed that doesn’t continue throughout the book, but speaks to the random inconsistencies found in the book.
Maddie also embarks on a series of relationships throughout the book, and the only thing of note to say about it is that, unsurprisingly, Maddie has some pretty ignorant things to say about sexuality, bisexuality, and even lesbians. While on a dating app, Maddie looks through the profile of Alex, someone she’s interested in, and learns he’s bisexual. The first thing she thinks verbatim is:
Bisexual? Does that mean he’s only dating women right now? What happens when he prefers men again? Is that how it works? Can I ask him? Probably not.
This is soon followed up by more thoughts and conversations that make me uncomfy, more overall ignorance, lack of empathy, and just knowledge of how to behave like a decent human being by Maddie.
She literally picks up her phone one day and asks one of her closest friends “Why are you a lesbian and not bisexual?” Like, why would you ask someone that….
Less important is Maddie’s lack of experiences, and much more noteworthy is her lack of maturity.
I picked this up expecting a literary family drama starring a young Ghanaian MC, but all I got was kindle unlimited prose, biphobia, and google searches like: Should You Knock on the Door of A New Flatmate. A shame, truly.
Original DNF review:
DNF @ 10%.
This is a slice of life story following our 25 year old protagonist who has taken on the burden of caring for her Dad who has Parkinson’s. Unfortunately this book is just too mundane to me. I’m not sure what I was expecting here, a family drama or something more literary but this is more-so contemporary coming of age in your 20s fiction, which has an audience, but just isn’t for me.
September 7, 2025
A Today Show Read with Jenna Books.
This is not why I read it. It was a donation to my Little Free Library Shed.
And…Well, if I am being honest, it actually was originally on my library “want to check-out list.” Unfortunately, the library did not have the version in book format, so…when it came as a donation to my LFL, I was excited.
I am now bringing my review to Goodreads.
Intense. Emotional.
A young woman who was originally neglected by her parents, is now caring for her father.
Premise: Maddie’s life in London is far from what she ever expected or wanted for herself. Her father is suffering from advanced-stage Parkinson’s. She is taking care of him while her mother is spending most of her time in Ghana. Her brother lives his own life on the other side of town.
When her mother returns from Ghana, Maddie sees this as her opportunity to live life in London. She finds a flat share and moves in with two other women. They go out, and then tragedy strikes. Maddie is forced to re-evaluate her life.
As readers we are given the opportunity to be introduced to Ghana culture.
Do I like the characters? Debatable.
Still…There is Maddie. She is beautiful and I want the best for her. When she had the chance to be on her own – as readers we could feel her naivety and vulnerability. I wanted her to succeed, but I was also concerned in her approach to her newfound freedoms.
Even the characters I didn’t care for (like Maggie’s mother), were well-developed with good backstories, which made the book believable.
Having been a caregiver to my mother who also had a form of Parkinson’s (although she was in Assisted Living) I could relate to the pressures of that role for Maddie.
I was upset that her brother and mother weren’t more engaged in the care and process. And I could also feel how it felt for me with my own family (since my brother and sister were also distant with our own Mother’s care {for obvious reasons} – both living out of state/country at the time.).
Still having said all that…For the most part…
The story was smart, funny, deeply affecting, dealing with themes of our time with humor and poignancy: from familial duty and racism, the complexity of love, and the life-saving power of friendship.
Most importantly it explores what it feels like to be torn between two homes and cultures.
Finally, it celebrates being able to find where we belong.
This is not why I read it. It was a donation to my Little Free Library Shed.
And…Well, if I am being honest, it actually was originally on my library “want to check-out list.” Unfortunately, the library did not have the version in book format, so…when it came as a donation to my LFL, I was excited.
I am now bringing my review to Goodreads.
Intense. Emotional.
A young woman who was originally neglected by her parents, is now caring for her father.
Premise: Maddie’s life in London is far from what she ever expected or wanted for herself. Her father is suffering from advanced-stage Parkinson’s. She is taking care of him while her mother is spending most of her time in Ghana. Her brother lives his own life on the other side of town.
When her mother returns from Ghana, Maddie sees this as her opportunity to live life in London. She finds a flat share and moves in with two other women. They go out, and then tragedy strikes. Maddie is forced to re-evaluate her life.
As readers we are given the opportunity to be introduced to Ghana culture.
Do I like the characters? Debatable.
Still…There is Maddie. She is beautiful and I want the best for her. When she had the chance to be on her own – as readers we could feel her naivety and vulnerability. I wanted her to succeed, but I was also concerned in her approach to her newfound freedoms.
Even the characters I didn’t care for (like Maggie’s mother), were well-developed with good backstories, which made the book believable.
Having been a caregiver to my mother who also had a form of Parkinson’s (although she was in Assisted Living) I could relate to the pressures of that role for Maddie.
I was upset that her brother and mother weren’t more engaged in the care and process. And I could also feel how it felt for me with my own family (since my brother and sister were also distant with our own Mother’s care {for obvious reasons} – both living out of state/country at the time.).
Still having said all that…For the most part…
The story was smart, funny, deeply affecting, dealing with themes of our time with humor and poignancy: from familial duty and racism, the complexity of love, and the life-saving power of friendship.
Most importantly it explores what it feels like to be torn between two homes and cultures.
Finally, it celebrates being able to find where we belong.
December 27, 2022
Maame is a debut novel set in London.
A coming of age story where you will be rooting for this girl from the start.
Maame (Madeline) takes care of her father who has Parkinson’s for much of the year while her mother is away in Ghana.
She is quite reclusive and awkward around people, has just two gal pals that she doesn’t see often. Googles all her questions about life, she’s awkward and sad a lot of the time. has a very overbearing mother.. even from afar!
I loved Maame, I laughed quite a bit and also felt so bad for her at times as she comes into her own and navigates relationships.
Good ending.
Thank you to Netgalley and St.Martin’s Press for the Arc!
A coming of age story where you will be rooting for this girl from the start.
Maame (Madeline) takes care of her father who has Parkinson’s for much of the year while her mother is away in Ghana.
She is quite reclusive and awkward around people, has just two gal pals that she doesn’t see often. Googles all her questions about life, she’s awkward and sad a lot of the time. has a very overbearing mother.. even from afar!
I loved Maame, I laughed quite a bit and also felt so bad for her at times as she comes into her own and navigates relationships.
Good ending.
Thank you to Netgalley and St.Martin’s Press for the Arc!
February 10, 2025
I adored this heartfelt, well-developed story about a twenty-something navigating her Ghanaian and British cultures. Under unusual circumstances, she's grown up quickly, taking care of more than a young girl should. She’s uncertain how the cultures will mesh without time to socialize and understand herself.
She has a lot on her shoulders. She is single-handedly taking care of her father, who has late-stage Parkinson's, while her mother is in Ghana "working."
The world is complicated for Maddie, and Google searches (like many of us) are her comrades. The hilarious things she looked up at had me laughing out loud, but it is also something I would do.
It’s funny to think about where our minds wander and how Google is our savior. Like "Jobs with the happiest employees" or "How long does a guy wait before he asks a girl out." We know, we've all done it.
When a turn of events forces Maddie's mother to be responsible for her husband, Maddie, at 25, enters a world that keeps moving while she is paused and sheltered. She has never dated, hasn't lived alone, and is lost in the chaos.
In Twi, 'Maame' essentially means woman. It's a nickname Maddie is stamped with at an age when she should have been a child. Maddie experiences some heavy things, but the story is told in such a well-versed style that it feels like listening to a friend. It feels homely and honest.
Some might say Maddie wasn't hard enough on those who let her down, but it's a cultural thing, not always a bad one. We aren’t always required to settle scores with people. Independence isn't the goal of every culture; it’s more of a Western construct. It may be hard to believe, but parents are the essential cornerstone of most of the world. Not to say it's the right way, but it does cause a lot of unchecked mental health issues.
Maddie experiences a lot of trial and error and slowly finds a way that makes sense, a story that does not have a perfectly tied bow but feels complete.
I devoured this story. I can't stop thinking about how wonderfully it flowed, how well the writing was, and how I could relate. Everyone should read it!
5/5 beautiful stars!
Everyone talks about the importance of standing out, but never the benefits of fitting in
She has a lot on her shoulders. She is single-handedly taking care of her father, who has late-stage Parkinson's, while her mother is in Ghana "working."
We grow up fast. Not by force, but because we are needed.'
'I think sometimes we're needed for the wrong reasons
The world is complicated for Maddie, and Google searches (like many of us) are her comrades. The hilarious things she looked up at had me laughing out loud, but it is also something I would do.
It’s funny to think about where our minds wander and how Google is our savior. Like "Jobs with the happiest employees" or "How long does a guy wait before he asks a girl out." We know, we've all done it.
When a turn of events forces Maddie's mother to be responsible for her husband, Maddie, at 25, enters a world that keeps moving while she is paused and sheltered. She has never dated, hasn't lived alone, and is lost in the chaos.
In Twi, 'Maame' essentially means woman. It's a nickname Maddie is stamped with at an age when she should have been a child. Maddie experiences some heavy things, but the story is told in such a well-versed style that it feels like listening to a friend. It feels homely and honest.
Some might say Maddie wasn't hard enough on those who let her down, but it's a cultural thing, not always a bad one. We aren’t always required to settle scores with people. Independence isn't the goal of every culture; it’s more of a Western construct. It may be hard to believe, but parents are the essential cornerstone of most of the world. Not to say it's the right way, but it does cause a lot of unchecked mental health issues.
Maddie experiences a lot of trial and error and slowly finds a way that makes sense, a story that does not have a perfectly tied bow but feels complete.
I devoured this story. I can't stop thinking about how wonderfully it flowed, how well the writing was, and how I could relate. Everyone should read it!
5/5 beautiful stars!
February 14, 2024
Blog | Instagram
Rating: 5 stars
Cover: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
The vibrant yellow and gorgeous illustration of the main character, Maddie, makes this simple design stunning and perfect for the genre. Maddie’s bright yellow suit is also mentioned several times in the story, but little else about the complex storyline is portrayed.
Writing: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
A conversational yet compelling writing style kept the character-driven storyline captivating and easy to follow. Besides this, media elements, such as texts, emails and Google searches, added a creative and modern element that made the writing even more engaging.
“Protect your peace in whatever and every way you can.”
Storyline: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
The storyline revolves around various family, work and social challenges Maddie faces as she struggles to find happiness. Topics such as grief, depression, family dynamics, dating and caring for someone with Parkinson’s provide a deep exploration of the complex factors that affect the mental health of the main character. This raw, emotive content was painfully relatable and even made me cry a few times.
Main character(s): 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Maddie is a sweet, caring character whose realistic narrative and struggles made it easy for me to root for her. The incorporation of her family’s Ghanaian culture and the strong arc she experienced brought even more depth to her character, but I found it sad that her experiences with and references to Ghanaian culture were rarely positive.
“A person's troubles are not measured by the size of those troubles, but by how much they weigh on the individual carrying them”
Secondary characters: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Maddie interacts with family, friends, colleagues and other characters who are skillfully used to drive the complex situations she encounters and/or support her through them. In particular, the members of Maddie’s family stood out to me because of their complexity and how they are used to explore various topics and cultural concepts.
Romance: 🌟🌟🌟
Despite some cute moments, all the romantic connections Maddie formed seemed weird or unhealthy, and I struggled to root for them. These connections were also undeveloped, which made the topics they raised less substantial.
“There are healthy and unhealthy expressions of love. And not all of them should be accepted”
Narration & Audio: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Heather Agyepong brilliantly enriches the complex narrative and conversational writing with accents, smooth cadence and different voices for the characters.
In a nutshell, 'My Name is Maame' delivers a compelling journey of self-discovery with engaging, conversational prose. Why not check out Yinka, Where is Your Huzband? by Lizzie Damilola Blackburn for a similar self-love journey by a black female protagonist if you enjoyed this.
Rating: 5 stars
Cover: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
The vibrant yellow and gorgeous illustration of the main character, Maddie, makes this simple design stunning and perfect for the genre. Maddie’s bright yellow suit is also mentioned several times in the story, but little else about the complex storyline is portrayed.
Writing: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
A conversational yet compelling writing style kept the character-driven storyline captivating and easy to follow. Besides this, media elements, such as texts, emails and Google searches, added a creative and modern element that made the writing even more engaging.
“Protect your peace in whatever and every way you can.”
Storyline: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
The storyline revolves around various family, work and social challenges Maddie faces as she struggles to find happiness. Topics such as grief, depression, family dynamics, dating and caring for someone with Parkinson’s provide a deep exploration of the complex factors that affect the mental health of the main character. This raw, emotive content was painfully relatable and even made me cry a few times.
Main character(s): 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Maddie is a sweet, caring character whose realistic narrative and struggles made it easy for me to root for her. The incorporation of her family’s Ghanaian culture and the strong arc she experienced brought even more depth to her character, but I found it sad that her experiences with and references to Ghanaian culture were rarely positive.
“A person's troubles are not measured by the size of those troubles, but by how much they weigh on the individual carrying them”
Secondary characters: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Maddie interacts with family, friends, colleagues and other characters who are skillfully used to drive the complex situations she encounters and/or support her through them. In particular, the members of Maddie’s family stood out to me because of their complexity and how they are used to explore various topics and cultural concepts.
Romance: 🌟🌟🌟
Despite some cute moments, all the romantic connections Maddie formed seemed weird or unhealthy, and I struggled to root for them. These connections were also undeveloped, which made the topics they raised less substantial.
“There are healthy and unhealthy expressions of love. And not all of them should be accepted”
Narration & Audio: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Heather Agyepong brilliantly enriches the complex narrative and conversational writing with accents, smooth cadence and different voices for the characters.
In a nutshell, 'My Name is Maame' delivers a compelling journey of self-discovery with engaging, conversational prose. Why not check out Yinka, Where is Your Huzband? by Lizzie Damilola Blackburn for a similar self-love journey by a black female protagonist if you enjoyed this.
October 6, 2022
’Maame (ma-meh) has many meanings in Twi but in my case, it means woman.’
This would be an impressive novel from a seasoned author, but knowing this is a debut novel is astounding.
This story pulled me in from the first pages. The way that it is shared feels as though a friend you thought you knew begins to reveal themselves for the first time, releasing all those heartbreaking moments, the ones they felt they had to keep inside.
‘Maame’ is the nickname her mother has called her since she was a child, a word in Twi language meaning many things, but the most common meaning is woman, which applies since her mother leaves her in charge of most of the adult duties of caring for the house and her father, and is taught to keep their family issues private.
Her real name is Madeline, or Maddie. She grew up resenting her nickname because she feels as though she never had a chance to live her life as the young girl that she was, but has always been expected to behave as a woman. Taking on the housework, and now caring for her father who has Parkinson’s Disease, as this story begins. Her mother is back in Ghana, which is where she spends the majority of her time, managing the hostel that she inherited from her father. As for her brother, well… he shows up now and then, but isn’t exactly reliable. There is a man who comes in to help, but Maddie is a young woman living a life that has been burdened with so many responsibilities, and yet never even been on a date or had a real relationship.
When her mother returns, she takes advantage of her return, and moves out of her family home and into a flat shares with other young women around her age.
As this story begins to share other aspects of her life - her job, her friends as well as the new friends she makes, it shows how the years have left her without any real belief in herself, and her lack of experience in the world outside the family walls. She’s vulnerable, and at times others take advantage of that vulnerability. Lessons she is determined not to repeat.
This is sweetly humorous at times, poignant at times, and explores so many facets of life. Death, friendship, racism, familial love as well as romantic love, and the pitfalls that can come with dating are part of this story, but at its heart it is a story of family, finding yourself, and love in all its many forms. There’s an element of quirkiness in Maddie as this begins that was a tiny bit reminiscent of Eleanor Oliphant, to me. Maddie’s someone who doesn’t seem to quite fit in anywhere, at first, but seems to find confidence as she navigates her new world, the one outside of her family, and sees that she is not the only one who is happy to be different, to be herself, and embrace that.
To quote Glinda, ”You had the power all along, my dear"
Pub Date: 31 Jan 2023
Many thanks for the ARC provided by St. Martin’s Press!
October 11, 2022
Maame has several meanings in Twi but when applied to Maddie it means woman and oh boy, does she have to grow up quickly. She becomes the primary carer for her father who suffers from Parkinson’s Disease while her mother spends most of her time working in Ghana. Even from a distance her mother rules the roost and is an expert in the art of manipulation and less tour and more force. When her mother returns home for a while Maddie takes the opportunity to move out and start living the more normal life of someone in their 20s. When tragedy strikes it forces Maddie to reassess a multitude of issues.
What a beautiful read this is, Maddie captivates me from the start and I become fully immersed and engaged in her life as she faces all her ups and downs. It’s sad at times and at others it’s poignant, sweet, tender and very moving especially the relationship between Maddie and her father which is written with such empathy and love. You want to yell at her mother and brother whose selfish use of Maddie makes you so angry. Maddie is such an endearing character, she’s bright, somewhat of an innocent and a bit naive but she’s very caring while keeps her emotions in check until she doesn’t. Then I’m cheering her on from the sidelines loving her telling certain characters exactly how it is! She makes me laugh too, I love her Google questions and who doesn’t have conversations with themselves? I love both the old and the new Maddie.
This is a book that takes you on a journey, that of an an an awakening and a voyage of self discovery. It sounds includes some difficult topics but does so really well and with sensitivity. I love the ending, in fact, scrap that, I love the whole book. It’s feels fresh, different and is a wonderfully written debut novel. Highly recommended.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Hodder and Stoughton for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
What a beautiful read this is, Maddie captivates me from the start and I become fully immersed and engaged in her life as she faces all her ups and downs. It’s sad at times and at others it’s poignant, sweet, tender and very moving especially the relationship between Maddie and her father which is written with such empathy and love. You want to yell at her mother and brother whose selfish use of Maddie makes you so angry. Maddie is such an endearing character, she’s bright, somewhat of an innocent and a bit naive but she’s very caring while keeps her emotions in check until she doesn’t. Then I’m cheering her on from the sidelines loving her telling certain characters exactly how it is! She makes me laugh too, I love her Google questions and who doesn’t have conversations with themselves? I love both the old and the new Maddie.
This is a book that takes you on a journey, that of an an an awakening and a voyage of self discovery. It sounds includes some difficult topics but does so really well and with sensitivity. I love the ending, in fact, scrap that, I love the whole book. It’s feels fresh, different and is a wonderfully written debut novel. Highly recommended.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Hodder and Stoughton for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
March 11, 2023
A well-written and heartwarming debut about 25-year-old Maddie Wright, a Black woman living in London who’s got a lot on her plate as she transitions from living with family to living more independently with roommates. On top of that switch up, she’s adjusting to a new job, trying to date for the first time, and contending with her mother who doesn’t respect her boundaries. When a tragedy strikes, Maddie is forced to face some of the deeper and more difficult parts of both her family and her acclimation to adulthood.
I enjoyed how Jessica George wrote about so many different challenges in Maddie’s life and still made Maame flow so well. George addresses nuanced family dynamics, experiencing microaggressions and outright racism at work, deeply satisfying and unsatisfying friendships, mental health, and sexual pleasure. At the same time, this book reads like an unrushed, unbothered slice-of-life telling of Maddie’s day-to-day. The novel feels real, funny, and grounded in an honest 25-year-old’s pursuit of a better way of living amidst multiple stressors.
I will say I am *so* thankful for how and with who Maddie’s romantic life ended with by the conclusion of the novel. I also appreciate how George honors complexity in Maddie’s life. Like with Maddie’s family, George highlights the role of boundary-setting while still showing an understanding of Maddie’s mother, both her culture and what she’s experienced as an immigrant woman. While I didn’t feel as electrified and enamored with the writing in this novel as I did by my favorite read of 2023 so far, Post-Traumatic by Chantal Johnson, I still breezed through Maame and would recommend it those whose interest is piqued by its synopsis.
I enjoyed how Jessica George wrote about so many different challenges in Maddie’s life and still made Maame flow so well. George addresses nuanced family dynamics, experiencing microaggressions and outright racism at work, deeply satisfying and unsatisfying friendships, mental health, and sexual pleasure. At the same time, this book reads like an unrushed, unbothered slice-of-life telling of Maddie’s day-to-day. The novel feels real, funny, and grounded in an honest 25-year-old’s pursuit of a better way of living amidst multiple stressors.
I will say I am *so* thankful for how and with who Maddie’s romantic life ended with by the conclusion of the novel. I also appreciate how George honors complexity in Maddie’s life. Like with Maddie’s family, George highlights the role of boundary-setting while still showing an understanding of Maddie’s mother, both her culture and what she’s experienced as an immigrant woman. While I didn’t feel as electrified and enamored with the writing in this novel as I did by my favorite read of 2023 so far, Post-Traumatic by Chantal Johnson, I still breezed through Maame and would recommend it those whose interest is piqued by its synopsis.
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