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A review by 2treads
Maame by Jessica George
emotional
funny
hopeful
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? No
4.0
“It made me grow up,” I answer. “It made me grow up when I should have had more time. It made my dad overlook me when I was a child, my mum leave me behind, and my brother get away with doing the bare minimum. It made me lonely and it made me sad. It made me responsible and guilty. It made me someone, if given the choice, I wouldn’t want to be.”
— 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.
— 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.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment, Grief, Sexual content, Death of parent, and Mental illness