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emilysbookishlife's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Grief, Death of parent, Abandonment, Panic attacks/disorders, and Mental illness
Moderate: Drug use and Alcohol
Minor: Suicide
carlysimone's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Abandonment, Panic attacks/disorders, Mental illness, Racism, Grief, and Sexual content
katiemack's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
I put this one off for a while because I knew it would be heart-wrenching, and it is. At twenty-five years old, Maddie is not only the primary caretaker for her father, who has Parkinson's disease, but also has no support from her mother or older brother, both of whom are conspicuously absent at inconvenient times (her mother in Ghana and her brother in...various places) and contribute nothing financially. On top of this, she loses her job for an infuriating reason.
Through Maddie, Jessica George explores the themes of racism, sexism, and abuse in an occasionally funny but often devastating way; I wanted to both hug Maddie and scream at her to remove herself from dangerous situations. While a little slow at times, the way George structures Maddie's days feels organic; her development is believable, which makes what she experiences all the more frustrating. If you're worried about this feeling like a depressing slog, don't be; the ending is incredibly satisfying.
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Abandonment, Sexual content, and Death of parent
Minor: Sexual assault
amandas_bookshelf's review against another edition
- 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
4.25
Graphic: Death of parent, Abandonment, Panic attacks/disorders, Chronic illness, Racism, Sexual content, Grief, and Terminal illness
Moderate: Cursing
Minor: Drug use, Alcohol, and Infidelity
2treads's review against another edition
- 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? No
4.0
— Maddie on being called Maame
George's novel was so addictively enjoyable, even as the themes get deeper and more affecting. The obligatory existence of Maddie as daughter/caretaker, her reserved and naive character, and the slow way she blossoms as the story goes on.
I love her core friends who leave an impression even though they aren't on the page for long. Her mother is infuriating and the way she handles and handled her relationship with her children and husband had my teeth on edge.
But with compassion, George takes us into Maddie's life, her insecurities, her struggle with acknowledging the stress and weight of being the foundation for her father and the lack of support from her mother and brother. What drew me into this story was the premise of family and how obligation can become an unwelcome and almost physical millstone. As a person of Afro-Caribbean descent, this exists in my world as well and the familial dynamics were all too real for me.
With humour, moments of self-doubt and questioning, and vulnerability, George relays a story that is heartfelt and shows how familial expectation and pressure can manifest in quieting a voice and affecting mental health; but also leaving room for accessing support, speaking up for oneself, and finding a relationship where you feel safe.
Moderate: Abandonment, Grief, Sexual content, Death of parent, and Mental illness
erinmjustice's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Death, Infidelity, Racism, Sexual content, Grief, Death of parent, Panic attacks/disorders, and Abandonment
Minor: Vomit
emmas_bookshelf's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Racism, Mental illness, and Abandonment
noladawnreads's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Death of parent and Grief
Moderate: Mental illness, Sexual content, and Abandonment
cee_ceon's review against another edition
- 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
2.5
Moderate: Cursing, Emotional abuse, Alcohol, Religious bigotry, Toxic relationship, Death, Grief, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Death of parent, Sexual content, Abandonment, Terminal illness, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Lesbophobia, Racism, and Biphobia
louisekf's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Death of parent and Grief
Moderate: Racism, Sexual content, Abandonment, Mental illness, and Sexism