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A review by onmalsshelf
Maame by Jessica George
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Many thanks to NetGalley, St Martin's Press, and Libro.FM for ARC and ALC.
Maddie, also called Maame by her mother, is a 25 year old who has spent the last eight years being the caretaker of the family even though she's the youngest. Her mother spends half of her time in Ghana - only calling Maddie when she needs money wired to her, her brother is doing who knows what in the same city Maddie lives in, and her father has advanced Parkinson's.
As Maddie takes care of her father while juggling a PA job at a theatre company, she wants more. When her mom comes back from Ghana and suddenly decides Maddie needs to move out and be independent, Maddie must learn who she is without being a caretaker and catch up with what other women her age know about romantic relationships and friendships.
Maddie makes a list of things she wants to tackle and sets out on her journey to find herself.
I found Maame compelling and at times laugh out loud funny. Coming of age stories do not always work for me, but following Maddie's journey of finding her voice and confidence was refreshing.
Hoping this one is still sitting in my top ten by the end of 2023.
Maddie, also called Maame by her mother, is a 25 year old who has spent the last eight years being the caretaker of the family even though she's the youngest. Her mother spends half of her time in Ghana - only calling Maddie when she needs money wired to her, her brother is doing who knows what in the same city Maddie lives in, and her father has advanced Parkinson's.
As Maddie takes care of her father while juggling a PA job at a theatre company, she wants more. When her mom comes back from Ghana and suddenly decides Maddie needs to move out and be independent, Maddie must learn who she is without being a caretaker and catch up with what other women her age know about romantic relationships and friendships.
Maddie makes a list of things she wants to tackle and sets out on her journey to find herself.
I found Maame compelling and at times laugh out loud funny. Coming of age stories do not always work for me, but following Maddie's journey of finding her voice and confidence was refreshing.
Hoping this one is still sitting in my top ten by the end of 2023.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Death of parent