Reviews tagging 'Racism'

Maame by Jessica George

189 reviews

madelinedalton'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

4.25

I really, really enjoyed this novel! It didn’t have that secret sauce that makes a five-star read, but otherwise, I don’t have any criticisms.

I typically pick up books like this so that I can relate to the protagonist and gain more insight on my own life as a twenty-something. Maame was an interesting reading experience because, while I am also 25 like Maddie, I felt like I was reading about an 18-year-old due to her naïveté. This book reminded me that everyone is on a different timeline and being 25 means something different for everyone. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Death of parent

Moderate: Sexual content

Minor: Racism

stacylaughs's review against another edition

emotional inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Grief, and Death of parent

Moderate: Racism, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship

Minor: Panic attacks/disorders

beetandbaguette's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional funny inspiring sad fast-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? It's complicated

4.75

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Death, Drug use, Infidelity, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, and Alcohol

jillaay_h's review against another edition

challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring 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

3.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Mental illness, Racism, Sexual content, and Death of parent

fkshg8465's review against another edition

emotional 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

I did not enjoy reading this book, but when I was done, I felt full and satisfied. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Infidelity, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Terminal illness, Grief, Death of parent, and Abandonment

sophs_mood_reading's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful 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

Maame: Woman; the responsible one. 

When a nickname becomes a life burden. This is what life is for Maddie. The youngest child and only daughter of a family in London. Her mother flees to Ghana for years at a time, her brother is too busy and her father has Parkinson’s and relies on her for his care. 

But is this all life is for Maddie, can she change, does she want to change, she better google it. 

This novel is about the beautiful self discovery of a 25 year old woman who’s family put to much on her and others around her take advantage of her. 

I loved how her story unfolded, life forced her to change and question her life choices, her mental state and who she wants to be, all with the help of a google search. 

This was a beautiful insight into family dynamics, mental illness, discrimination and found family. 

At first I got annoyed by Maddie’s googling every question she had and talking out loud to herself but as the book continued I realised why she did it and why it was needed. 

Highly recommend this read but there are some triggers so be kind to yourself. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Drug use, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Grief, Death of parent, Gaslighting, and Abandonment

livreads4fun's review against another edition

dark emotional 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

3.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness, Racism, and Death of parent

Moderate: Suicidal thoughts

bex4dayz's review against another edition

challenging emotional funny 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

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Racism, and Death of parent

Minor: Suicide

ebun_reads's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective sad

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

There are many things to take away from this book. For me, this is a moving book that made me feel warm as I saw the protagonist progress and become a stronger woman who shows herself more compassion, and befriends herself. It gives me hope for myself, because sometimes we never realise all the experiences that have contributed to our growth until we write them down and read it back. The issue of loss is beautifully handled and I'm glad I read this book. It's also a nice reminder to express love to ourselves and to others, no matter how imperfect we (or they) may be. I also appreciated the perspective of a woman entering the dating world in her 20s with little sexual experience, and learning that her needs/wants matter too. As a young woman in the west African diaspora, I recommend this wonderfull book, that delicately approaches many cultural aspects that has shaped my personality. Despite the responsibility on her shoulders, we learn just how delicate Maame can be.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Grief, and Death of parent

Moderate: Racism

Minor: Suicide

justovereherereading's review against another edition

emotional hopeful informative 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

4.5

Really enjoyed this book, but I did find it tried to touch on too many hot topics,  which were done well but it felt like  add ons to the main story! 
I loved the glimpses into Ghanaian culture and how Maddie was caught between two cultures, which seemed to make her already complicated life more complicated. 
A great read. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Drug use, Panic attacks/disorders, Death of parent, and Toxic friendship

Moderate: Racism