Reviews tagging 'Terminal illness'

Maame by Jessica George

55 reviews

calamitywindpetal's review

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad 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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief, Sexual content, Sexism, Death, Death of parent, Terminal illness, and Racism

Minor: Sexual assault

teacupsandfirereads's review against another edition

hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

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

3.0

I'm on the fence if I loved this one. It told a realistic story, the responsibilities of caring for a sick parent and not getting to "grow  up" in time. I found the main character believable, but I struggled to connect with her. I found for broaching such a dense topic, this book just skimmed the surface level. I wanted more substance to it, and didn't feel I got what I wanted. Take my review with a grain of salt. It is still worth reading.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief, Mental illness, and Terminal illness

Moderate: Death of parent, Abandonment, Racism, and Emotional abuse

Minor: Infidelity, Suicide, Sexual assault, and Toxic relationship

nanirump's review

emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad tense 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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Racism, Sexism, Medical content, Sexual content, Drug use, Gaslighting, Terminal illness, Misogyny, Chronic illness, Classism, Cultural appropriation, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Panic attacks/disorders, Racial slurs, Homophobia, Body shaming, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Mental illness, Sexual violence, and Death of parent

theliteraryloot's review

emotional hopeful sad 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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Terminal illness, Racism, Death of parent, and Mental illness

Moderate: Sexual content

alybarnett02's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective sad medium-paced

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

5.0

See trigger warnings! The “Tragedy strikes” was really heavy for me. But so so good, I cried and reflected on my own similar experience. And how those hard things we go through shapes us. Shows such personal growth. I could definitely relate to Maddie when I was that age. Being in London as a black woman, along with her challenges in dating white men. Whew!! Say it for the people in the back! Such good topics!

This was hard to read after Maddie’s dad died. Mostly the process of her grief, and talking to him at her nightly prayer. Wow. I cried. I lost my mother in law and slowly coming on her birthday while reading this. I felt Maddie’s pain. Most people around that age don’t understand what it’s like. But, everything from her talking to her dad, knowing he isn’t in pain, and can be free was so beautiful. And so true for all of our loved ones. It was the reminder I needed. And ending that part with her dad responding? My heart yall. Whatever your religion is, it’s insane, and it might not seem real. But your loved ones can tell you, “its okay”.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content, Terminal illness, Grief, and Death of parent

Moderate: Toxic relationship and Abandonment

evawhite's review against another edition

emotional hopeful 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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent, Grief, and Mental illness

Moderate: Sexual content and Racism

Minor: Suicide and Terminal illness

bookedbykiki's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

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

5.0

What a breath of fresh air! A beautifully, heartbreaking and hopeful experience!  The tears and laughter were both appreciated.
 
Jessica George’s debut novel shares the story of Maddie as she balances family drama, being a caretaker for her ill dad and the corporate world. After finally deciding to move out of her family home, Maddie’s world starts to fall apart, leaving her to pick up the pieces.
 
This was a beautiful piece by George and was a spectacular debut novel. It felt so personal, I’ve never read a book and felt so seen in so many ways. The complexities of immigration of family, expectations within love and relationship, the life-sucking performance at the office; all of these feel overwhelming and suffocating at times as we experience them through Maddie.
 
rating: 5/5
genre: fiction, contemporary, literary, emotional, reflective, sad, medium-paced
cw: death, grief, mental illness, racism, sexual content, suicide 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness, Grief, and Terminal illness

Moderate: Sexual content

beckyvh523's review

emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent

Moderate: Grief and Terminal illness

Minor: Panic attacks/disorders

rachelkreadsbookz's review against another edition

I do like how long it took to get into the story and how the MC just let stuff happen to her. She is naive beyond and I got irritated at the constant googling about what to do in day to day situations. The not understanding herself at all bothered me and being taken advantage of just bugged me. Her mom enraged me and her brother annoyed me beyond reasonable. I just never wanted to pick up this book so I decided to finally set it down

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Terminal illness

esbarnard_'s review against another edition

dad’s parkinson’s a little close to home 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent and Terminal illness