Reviews

Maame by Jessica George

simmykapoor's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful reflective sad fast-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

4.75

I can’t begin to express how Jessica’s writing made me feel. It’s comforting to know there are people out there who go through the same grief, sadness and constant depression but somehow manage to keep living their life. Maame opened up all my feelings and healed them at the same time. 

rimamandwee's review

4.0

I find it extremely refreshing to read stories about immigrant families that don’t drown the reader in first-generation guilt. Our protagonist is an abandoned daughter whose mother and brother have completely left her to be the sole caretaker of her father, who is fighting Parkinson’s. On top of this full-time nest of anxiety and fear, she’s a normal 25-year old who is trying to date, stand her ground at work, move into an apartment with strangers, manage the money her mother depends on her for, and be a human. (Naturally all of these are burdened by the racism she experiences as a Ghanaian woman living in London). It’s an extremely accurate, touching, and vulnerable portrayal of the burden young women often carry. If you're a fan of Candice Carty-Williams's Queenie, Maame will hit the spot for you.

kemo382's review against another edition

4.0

I loved the beginning, almost gave up in the middle, and was really glad I pushed through to the end. Lots of interesting character dynamics and character development

darcys01's review

5.0

Loved this character. Great read.

a_reflective_reader's review

emotional reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

The character development in this book is what I appreciated the most. I also thought the exploration of grief and depression was thoughtful and well done. I feel very different about the main character at the end than I did at the beginning. I think overall I struggle with reading books with young 20’s protagonists. This might mean I’m officially old. 🤣

maddie46's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful reflective sad slow-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

4.0

luciavk's review against another edition

emotional inspiring reflective

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

Sweet story about a 25-year old daugther/ people pleaser/ trying-to-be-grown-up that in many parts was very relatable. Very similar (if less dramatic) to 'Queenie', so nothing ground-breaking. 

john_v_ev's review against another edition

emotional funny sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

emshields's review

emotional hopeful medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

kissmelicia's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful reflective sad

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0