Review: Maame by Jessica George

Title: Maame

Author: Jessica George

Year published: 2023

Category: Adult fiction

Pages: 320 pages

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Location: (my 2023 Google Reading map): UK

Summary: 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 rather, 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 heart on the line.

Review: This is a BOTM book and I've been looking forward to reading it so brought it on my Alaska cruise. I figured I could leave it in the cruise ship library for someone else to read.

What a good book! Maddie is a character I could emphasize with; she is trying to figure out what to do with her life and has conflicting loyalties that she is having trouble balancing. She feels beholden to her dad who is dying of Parkinson's; why do her mother and brother seem to be missing in action? Maddie has sole responsibility as care giver and it is running her life. She wants to date, but is so inexperienced that she isn't sure how to go about it even though she is in her mid-twenties. Her job is one she likes, is good at, but she wants more; how can she do that?

Moving out of her family home and into a shared flat seems to kick start Maddie's life in more ways than one, even though it brings stress, heartache, and startling revelations. Maddie's journey is real, raw, and wonderful all at the same time. I really enjoyed this novel.

Challenges for which this counts: 

• Bookish--main character works in publishing and begins writing a novel