Reviews tagging 'Suicide'

Maame by Jessica George

93 reviews

cait_reads_and_drinks's review against another edition

emotional inspiring reflective sad 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? It's complicated

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent

Moderate: Toxic relationship

Minor: Suicide

jenheitland's review against another edition

emotional sad medium-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Chronic illness, Death of parent, and Grief

Minor: Suicide, Racism, and Panic attacks/disorders

thebakerbookworm's review against another edition

emotional funny 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

4.5

An excellent character book, with a stunning narration on audio!

Maddie is such an easy character to root for—I found her to be a very strongly written character, which made the book so enjoyable, because the whole story is Maddie's story. She has the perfect combination of weaknesses and strengths that I want in a character, that blend that makes her feel real and relatable and as if you (the reader) are also her. Her growth over the story was so well done too, as she figures out who she is outside of her parents' home, who she wants to be in the world, what she wants to do with her life. I loved her journey.

There's not many coming-of-age stories where the protagonist is in their midtwenties, but we need more of them! Nobody knows who they are as a teen, even if they spend a whole book "coming of age." I found this story, with Maddie being twenty-five, much more realistic!

I also really appreciated the discussions of grief, mental health, and racism that are throughout the book. They gave Maddie's story even more depth and meaning.

Just an overall well-done book!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness, Death of parent, and Grief

Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, and Sexual content

Minor: Suicide

lilygold0205's review against another edition

emotional hopeful 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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent and Grief

Moderate: Alcohol and Panic attacks/disorders

Minor: Suicide

ericah31's review against another edition

emotional 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

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Content Warnings

Minor: Suicide

mraddd's review against another edition

emotional 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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism, Toxic relationship, Terminal illness, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, Panic attacks/disorders, and Mental illness

Moderate: Sexual content

Minor: Drug use, Alcohol, and Suicide

deelightfulreads's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad 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

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Mental illness, Death of parent, Terminal illness, Sexual content, Panic attacks/disorders, Infidelity, Chronic illness, Racism, and Grief

Minor: Suicide

tnel123's review against another edition

challenging emotional sad tense 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? It's complicated

5.0

Maame is very gut wrenching for a black woman who was put on a pedestal to take care of other family members. I really relate to Maddie with family relations. It causes some real introspection when reading this book. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide

carriepond's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful 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? It's complicated

5.0

Jessica George's Maame is a lovely debut novel about grief, family, identity, and growing up. At the opening of the novel, Maddie, age 25 and of Ghanaian descent, is lonely. Maddie's family nickname, Maame, means "woman" in Twi, and is meant to praise her reliability and responsibility. And responsible she is-- since graduating from college, Maddie has been the primary caretaker for her father, whose Parkinson's has become increasingly debilitating. Her mom travels back and forth to Ghana for long periods of time to manage her father's business, calling Maddie to ask for money or remind her that she needs to find a husband but not to provide the support Maddie so desperately needs. Although her brother lives in London, he often flakes on familial obligations, knowing Maddie is taking care of everything. With her mom set to return to London to take over her caretaking responsibilities, Maddie moves out of her parents' house and starts dating for the first time since college. Maddie soon encounters unexpected bumps in the road-- losing her job and facing unimaginable tragedy-- which cause her to question who she is to herself and to the people she loves.

I really loved this novel. It deals with so many heavy topics-- mental illness, grief, casual racism, loneliness, identity, sex, and family obligations-- while also feeling sweet, full of heart, and funny. I truly loved Maddie; she is a character for whom I was immediately rooting. This book is genuine and earnest and a top-notch read for anyone who likes coming-of-age novels. I loved Maddie and I loved Maame.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent and Grief

Moderate: Racism and Sexual content

Minor: Suicide

khoala_tea's review against another edition

dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring 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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cursing, Infidelity, Medical content, Sexual content, Racism, Alcohol, Biphobia, Chronic illness, Death, Drug use, Grief, Mental illness, Death of parent, Suicide, Terminal illness, and Toxic relationship