maybe more than any book i've read, the main character of maddie really spoke to me: her thoughts, insecurities, naïveté, and relationship with her family and ghanian culture. i saw myself in her-- the way she bears responsibility, feels intimidated by others in the workplace, struggles to ask for a seat at the table, and most of all, how she views herself. maddie is called "maame," a twi word basically meaning "woman," by her distant mother, and this book unpacks her complicated relationship to that term of endearment as someone who, at 24, is still growing up, experiencing "firsts," figuring out what it means to be loved, and learning what the world expects from her and when to fight back.

i feel like a lot of fiction books and popular culture idealize the idea of one's "twenties" but this one offered a refreshing, witty, and real take. though the circumstances of her life may have been different, maddie's inner state of mind and how she processed grief and just life in general felt so familiar--like i was reading my own thoughts back to myself. this work is clearly very personal to the author for many reasons.

4.5 stars!! thank you to netgalley, jessica george, and st. martin's press for the arc in exchange for an honest review :D

Maddie, a young Ghanaian woman is the caretaker for her father, suffering from Parkinson's, working a thankless job and living a lonely life in London. Her mother is absent but controlling. When the opportunity for independence arises, Maddie goes for it. The story focuses on Maddie as she navigates through young adulthood. She uses Google searches to get advice with friends, dating, work and family as she finds her way. I found myself loving this couragous, heartbrakingly honest and authentic character. Jessica George created Maddie brilliantly. Maddie's growth and coming of age, mistakes and all, are relatable, painful, joyous and very real. I laughed, cried and didn't want to finish this unforgettable book.

Maame by Jessica George tells the story of Maddie (Maame) and her late coming-of-age. Maddie lives with her father, who has Parkinson's disease, as his primary caretaker. Her mother spends most of her time in Ghana and her brother, James, is usually out of town or unavailable. Maddie feels incredible responsibility for her father's care and has basically put her own life on hold. She is stuck living at home at 25 years old, has a job where she is treated poorly, doesn't date and has few friends. She realizes that she is unhappy but doesn't think she can do anything to change her situation.

Her mother decides that she will return from Ghana for a year and that Maddie should move out. Maddie agrees, finds a flat and starts to go out and meet people. She finally finds a guy she likes. They date and she starts to check things off her personal bucket list. Without revealing too much of the story, suffice it to say that we see Maddie make changes to her life and her outlook. We also see her make some stupid decisions and deal with the consequences. In effect, we watch Maddie grow up and learn to take up space in the world.

George's writing engages the reader quickly. I found myself rapidly ensconced in Maddie's life and her trials. I did find part of the story slow-going and I wanted to yell at Maddie to open her eyes. Or actually her mouth to communicate her feelings. Much of the story felt somewhat predictable, but I did enjoy watching Maddie realize that she can do great things.

Maame is a Twi word for "woman/mother" and is Maddie's nickname, bestowed upon her by her family. Although she is the youngest, she has the most responsibility for her family's well-being, physically, financially and emotionally. It's a lot to put on a 25 year old first-generation English-Ghanaian woman. Maddie's growth throughout the story and her rebellion to the box "Maame" puts her in is inspiring to all who have felt pushed into a box by their family and situation.

Thank you to #StMartinsPress, #JessicaGeorge and #NetGalley for an #ARC of #Maame

What beautiful coming to age story! Maddie the main character had me crying, cheering and celebrating the beautiful women she aspires to be. I felt this kindred spirit to her as a people pleaser and missing out childhood because you have taken on the adult responsibilities in your family.

This story is for every mother, family traditions, and all daughters wanting to be their own person.

Maddie’s life is not what she thought it would be, taking care of her sick father, a mother who is rarely home and a brother she almost never sees.

She is given this moment where she can do something for herself a whole new Maddie. But then tragedy happens, she blames herself. Can she move forward and forgive herself?

Can’t wait for what is next from this author.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for copy of this book for my honest review.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I was particularly moved by Maddie's relationship with and love for her father. Although she is the youngest in her family, Maddie has assumed all the responsibilities with little if no help from her mother and brother. She moves out for the first time when her mother returns from Ghana for the year. This becomes a coming of age novel as Maddie tries to check off the experiences all of her peers already have had. Many of the new situations she finds herself in are presented with a touch of humor. She is navigating roommates, career, dating and yes, still trying to hold her family together. I enjoyed the writing style and Maddie's internal conversations and expressions of self doubt. I was always rooting for her and on her side.

Maame is the beautiful story of a young Ghanaian woman living in London. She's 25 and has been the sole caretaker of her infirm father. Her mom lives in Ghana half the time, and she's quite estranged from her brother, James. When her mom makes a visit home, she insists that Maame move out and make a life for herself, which Maame, or Maddie as she is known socially, does. She moves in with some girls, and begins dating. Maddie's life goes from mediocre to awful, and major depression sets in. With the help of her sweet girlfriends, and a little professional help, Maddie lets herself be known, and healing begins to set in.

This book is well written. I feel like I really know Maddie, and that made this reading experience a little depressing. The ending is beautiful and redeems some of the sadness.

Thanks to NetGalley for allowing me to read and review Maame.

Maddie is from Ghana but now living in London. As a young woman, she should be going out with friends, dating, and growing into the woman she was meant to be. Instead, she lives at home taking care of an aging father who is homebound, suffering from dementia, while her mother is supposedly running a business in Ghana. Her mother continually asks Maddie to send her money while she lives a secret life. Though Maddie's father has a man who helps four days a week, she is still ultimately responsible.

This is a familiar story of the child caring for the parent but with the twists of multiple cultures. As a child and caregiver should Maddie bend to her Ghanan culture, or with her new life of London culture? Which direction is best for her and is that the one best for her father? When her mother returns from Ghana, Maddie finds that nothing is the way she imagined it to be.

A fascinating read and look into other cultures. An eye opener when Maddie finds out her parents aren't who she thought or expected them to be.

The new novel Maame by Jessica George marks a solid, interesting debut by the author.
The story tells of a Ghanaian young woman, Maddie, and her fair share of struggles trying to establish her independence in London while living with her father, who has Parkinson's, and taking care of him while her mother spends months at a time in their native country.

When Maddie learns her mom will finally be coming home, she decides to move out on her own for the first time at age 25. The book was enjoyable but I did not care of the main character who lets people walk all over her and tells constant lies. She was not very likable to this reader, but I did like the story as a whole.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my review.

Maame is a strong story about the truth we all live within our families. It has a truth and rawness that takes your breath away. It shows how an individual can grow and blossom to become the best they can be.

Oh my god oh my god, i couldn't put this book down. I just couldn't bear to leave Maddie alone.
This book is so raw, it deals with grief, growth, finding love and everything in between. Maddie's relationship with both her parents is a bit messy (mostly her mom) and that's okay, she's doing her best. I'm also so glad she got Sam.
I couldn't believe this was a debut it's SO GOOD.

Jessica George moved me deeply with her debut novel. The sacrifice and love of a daughter seen through the lens of Ghanaian culture, made for a brilliant read. Maame lives in London with her ailing father, and what unfolds in her journey of awakening to her authentic self is raw, relatable, funny, sad. Ms George evoked so many emotions with sharp prose and dialog. Truly impressed with this one, highly recommend!

I was completely sucked into this compelling coming of age novel. George deftly handles difficult topics (grief, depression, racism), and Maddie is a character that you are rooting for from the first page to the last. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for my gifted ARC!

Maddie lives in London and takes care of her father with Parkinson's. Her brother is little help. Her mother is working in Ghana, where they are from. Maddie has a job she dislikes. Her mother returns and Maddie feels she can finally move out and begin to live the life of a 25 year old. The story is about family, friends, betrayal and finding your way in the world. It was an enjoyable read.
Thanks, NetGalley for a great recommendation.

I couldn’t put this book down. I fell in love with the main character, Maddie Wright- the way she took care of her loved ones, sacrificing her own needs, until she found a way that she could both take care of others while caring for herself as well. I laughed with her, I cried alongside her, and the way George wrote this book, I felt like she was a friend I was getting to know.

This book had two markers of what I define as a great book: a character who really comes alive for me and makes me want to get to know them, and the kind of writing I want to save and reread portions of because of how moved I was by it. There were many passages in this book that moved me to my core.

One of those passages was when a friend of Maddie’s talks with her about how she’s navigating her grieving process after losing a loved one, and it’s a narrative I read and reread because of how much it hit home for me, too.

Maame by Jessica George is hands down a 5 star read for me. It is available February 7, 2023.

Thank you to St. Martins Press and NetGalley for the Advanced Review Copy that was provided for my review. I will be anxiously awaiting Jessica George’s next book.

3.5 stars.
Maame is a very successful debut novel and one that will appeal to a wide range of readers. The art work on the cover is stunning and the title is captivating. The story itself is a good representation of what young people go thru when they are starting out in the working world and trying to maneuver the ins and outs of forming new friendships and relationships, while also dealing with the added pressures from family.

Maame, or Maddie, is a 25 year old administrative assistant for a theater group and then a publishing company. Her parents are from Ghana and her mother still spends time there running a family charity, while leaving Maddie at home to care for her father who has Parkinson's. The book covers many topics; such as low self esteem, self exploration, race, the pursuit of happiness, familial relationships, grief and depression. While reading this, I felt like the author must be writing from her own personal experiences. Ultimately, the story carries the message that, as people, we are all vulnerable and we are all imperfect, but you can still find happiness.

My sincere thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for giving me the opportunity to read a digital ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. Publication date: February 7, 2023.

I love this book so much; It's hard to believe it's a debut writer! Maddie, a young Ghanian woman living in London, takes care of her father with Parkinson's Disease while working at an entry level job and navigating her difficult family. She's a 25 year old with the weight of the world on her shoulders, an old soul. Things keep piling on, she suddenly loses her job, her Dad's health deteriorates, and her absent mother arrives from Ghana. Maddie, working through her grief and depression has a lot of grit. She is an amazingly fresh voice. As Maddie figures things out, Maame will have you crying on one page and laughing out loud on the next. What a great debut!

A beautiful story from cover to cover! This novel made me feel all the emotions. Fantastic read.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the digital ARC in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are completely my own.

What a fresh new character in Maddie (aka Maame). Maddie’s mother is off in Ghana working at her hostel, whil she is left to care for her father who is suffering from Parkinson’s Disease.
This novel touches deep in the heart, focusing on family disappointments and trying to find your own way while being a primary caregiver. Maddie finally branches out and is met with disappointments, racial discrimination and finally lands an editorial job where she finds her niche.
Thank you Net Galley for the ARC and the opportunity to enjoy this fabulous book.

This book opened my eyes a lot about culture. Maddie’s family is from Ghana and family is huge. She is 25 and has spent her adult life taking care of her sick dad, while her mom is in their homeland. Her mom moves back and Maddie finally gets to move out and life on her own for once. This book was interesting to see how a 25 year old adapts to the world when they have never had the chance to stay out late and be themselves. You can’t have relationships if you don’t leave the house. It was eye opening and how even if you love someone, you still need to have your own life and experiences. Parents can’t control their kids forever.

"Maame" is the debut novel of Jessica George - and quite frankly, I still can't believe it.

George's first work focuses on 25 year-old Maddie Wright, a black girl living in London with a lot on her shoulders. Maddie's father has been living with Parkinson's for many years, and having to care for him means she still lives at home. Her oldest brother, George, is almost never home. Maddie's mother lives in Ghana, helping her brother run a hostel, and frequently calls Maddie to berate her. Maddie works a less-than-desirable job as a personal assistant in a theater company, where is she unexpectedly and unfairly fired from - and to top it all off, Maddie's mother suddenly announces that she's flying to London to stay with her husband, so Maddie is forced to move out.

The story is told from Maddie's perspective, and I immediately developed empathy for her character. Because of her childhood (or lack thereof) and upbringing, there's a lot in life that she has been able to experience and enjoy. At just 25 years of age, she also bears the crux of the financial responsibility for her family, and it's clear she's been forced to grow up faster than she should given the lack of support from her other family members. Throughout the rest of the novel, Maddie navigates countless difficulties: finding a new career and speaking up for herself; working through new and old friendships; rampant racism and sexism in both personal and professional environments; grief and loss; confronting her fears and family members; and exploring sex and her understanding of it. Despite the lengthy and heavy topics, none of it feels forced or inappropriate - George introduces them carefully and with care, and it's just a reflection of what many people today struggle with.

My one (very minor) quip with the novel might be the writing style; I understand the prose was intentionally pared down to match Maddie's character and voice, but there were many instances I felt I imparted my own emotion and experiences throughout the pages. Nonetheless, George's novel is a triumphant one that features a complex and all-too-realistic main protagonist who ultimately succeeds in finding her own identity and path in life - and one that I will recommend to anyone to read.