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MAAME
Jessica George
St Martins Press
January 31, 2023
320 pages
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This is my favourite book of 2023. I have only read two other books since the new year but I know this one has set the bar high for the coming year.
This is Maddie’s story. She was born in England to Ghanaian parents. She has been raised by their very strict standards. In essence, she has led a very sheltered life. Her parents lead a very unconventional life….the mother takes off to Ghana for a year at a time to attend to family business. Maddie stays home to care for her ailing father. When the mother returns to spend the year in England, Maddie spreads her wings and leaves home. She is determined that her life must catch up to that of others in their mid 20s.
The story is told in Maddie’s voice. In many parts, it’s as if she is talking directly to the reader. I couldn’t help but fall in love with her. She is very self-deprecating and unsure of herself outside the umbrella of her home. But, she is a very sweet young lady and is excited to meet the world. She sets out a list of things she wants to accomplish. She is one of the most endearing characters I have met.
Throughout the book, Maddie copes with many situations. Devastating grief, very unconventional family structure, overbearing mother, always being the only black person in the room, losing a job. The reader rides the emotional roller coaster with Maddie. I actually laughed out loud a few times and shed a few tears with her and commiserated with her. One of Maddie’s coping mechanisms is to Google every issue that crosses her path. She takes the reader along on that journey. This book is truly a study of Maddie’s complex character.
Maddie’s mother is a piece of work! She is someone who needs to be throttled!!!
MAAME: the responsible one, the woman, the mother. Often before her time.
This is the name Maddie’s mother calls her throughout the book. I think the reader is able to draw their own conclusion why the mother calls Maddie by this name by the time the book ends.
I liked the ending. But I still want more from Maddie. I loved watching her strength and her character evolve.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the Advance Readers Copy.
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