A review by wherethewildreadsare
Maame by Jessica George

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

4.5

Maame. Woman. But Madelyn (Maddie) Wright is so much more than that. She is a caretaker to her father who is battling Parkinson's disease and a mother who spends more time in Ghana than with her family and sick husband in England. She is a sister. She is a friend. She is a compassionate. She is funny. But she hasn't quite figured out what she wants to do with her life, as she is the sole caretaker for her father.

When her mother comes back to England for a year, Maddie is given an opportunity to move out & have a few normal 20-something life experiences. She makes a list of what the "new Maddie" should do. She meets a new man, gets a new job & things seem to look up. However, when tragedy strikes, she struggles with the guilt, grief and loss. There's no right way to grieve. She must look to her own mortality & decide what she wants to make of her life. Even as she stumbles along the way. 

I really enjoyed this story! I loved her quirky family dynamic and her complex relationship with her mother. Her journey through her grief and self-awareness towards her mental health were a privilege to follow along with. Some great dialogue and fun characters, this book had equal amount of heavy discussion and fun energy. I especially enjoyed how much she Googled things - I completely related to that! Anyways, she was a great character & i loved her! 

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