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karlymarcy's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Mental illness, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, and Toxic relationship
albadee's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
everything. mommy issues, immigrant family dynamics, coming of age, grief, depression, female friendships/found family, finding your voice, I could go on. What a stunning debut. this book has been sitting on a shelf in my living room for two years and I read it at the exact time I needed to. Also a much needed slow paced palate cleanser after reading a new contemporary romance I didn’t enjoy. I can’t wait for her next book 😭
Content Warnings
Graphic: Terminal illness
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Rape, Suicide, and Vomit
There are a couple of moments of uncomfortable sexual encounters where consent isn’t clearbrewdy_reader's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
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
Contemporary Fiction • LitFic • Coming of Age
Published • 31 January 2023
Once again the cover fooled me… non spoiler alert: this is not a romance 😂 although that does not mean I’m sorry I read it — and there are a couple of steamy bits.
Maame is a moving coming of age novel as well as a story of grief, life, and love (including platonic love), as told from the perspective of Maddie, a 25-year old second generation Ghanian immigrant living in London. It reads like it could have been a memoir and indeed in the afterword the author indicates she took much inspiration from her own life.
This is a character driven story that explores themes of assimilation, racism, sexuality, micro-aggressions, online dating, infidelity, belonging, and family. Many of the characters made me want to scream, especially the well-meaning ones.
I drew many parallels between Maddie’s life and my own, in the parental expectations, attempts to fit into the dominant culture, societal expectations, and immigrant experience. I think I would have related even more when I was in my 20s- 30s, when I was more naive and less cynical of human nature.
For a large part of the book I felt sad and depressed, so although the story ultimately ends with redemption and hope, I would recommend saving this for a time when you have the mental capacity to sit with some trauma. This is a story that you won’t be able to put down and that you’ll think about long after you’re done.
This novel had been sitting on my shelf for too long after I bought it for the gorgeous floral cover. @bakers.bookends incentivized me to start this, although it was @tiques.tbr who I buddy read it with!
TW: Depression, Death of Parent, Sexual Trauma
Published • 31 January 2023
Once again the cover fooled me… non spoiler alert: this is not a romance 😂 although that does not mean I’m sorry I read it — and there are a couple of steamy bits.
Maame is a moving coming of age novel as well as a story of grief, life, and love (including platonic love), as told from the perspective of Maddie, a 25-year old second generation Ghanian immigrant living in London. It reads like it could have been a memoir and indeed in the afterword the author indicates she took much inspiration from her own life.
This is a character driven story that explores themes of assimilation, racism, sexuality, micro-aggressions, online dating, infidelity, belonging, and family. Many of the characters made me want to scream, especially the well-meaning ones.
I drew many parallels between Maddie’s life and my own, in the parental expectations, attempts to fit into the dominant culture, societal expectations, and immigrant experience. I think I would have related even more when I was in my 20s- 30s, when I was more naive and less cynical of human nature.
For a large part of the book I felt sad and depressed, so although the story ultimately ends with redemption and hope, I would recommend saving this for a time when you have the mental capacity to sit with some trauma. This is a story that you won’t be able to put down and that you’ll think about long after you’re done.
This novel had been sitting on my shelf for too long after I bought it for the gorgeous floral cover. @bakers.bookends incentivized me to start this, although it was @tiques.tbr who I buddy read it with!
TW: Depression, Death of Parent, Sexual Trauma
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Death of parent, and Abandonment
aisya_'s review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
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? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
erkadahl's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Suicide, and Death of parent
Moderate: Sexual content
lucymbriggs's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Death of parent
Moderate: Mental illness, Racism, and Sexual content
bombshellbibliophile's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
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: Sexual content and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Cursing, Racism, and Vomit
mikaclapson's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
reflective
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
I loved this book! I loved joining Maddie on her journey of trying to find herself in the world and figure out society along the way. Her family dynamics frustrated me but in a way that I resonated with and I loved the healing that went along with this. I laughed and cry. Highly recommend!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Racism and Sexual content
Minor: Sexual assault
aftereliza's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
slow-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
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Chronic illness, Drug use, Mental illness, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Grief, and Death of parent
Minor: Racism, Sexism, Suicide, Toxic relationship, and Sexual harassment
jaklyn_heath_reads's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
Maame is an emotional and memorable book that I believe I will be thinking about for a while.
It has themes of loss, grief, and guilt, coming of age, complex family dynamics, growth, racism and micro aggressions, starting over, relationships, and friendships.
I loved Maddie and was rooting for her throughout the novel. My heart broke when hers did, I smiled when she did.
I am so glad I read the acknowledgements at the end of the book too as reading about how similar the author is to Maddie’s character made me love the story even more. After the acknowledgements, this novel feels way more personal and like it was more of a memoir than a novel.
One of my favourites of the year- I will be recommending this to anyone who will listen.
It has themes of loss, grief, and guilt, coming of age, complex family dynamics, growth, racism and micro aggressions, starting over, relationships, and friendships.
I loved Maddie and was rooting for her throughout the novel. My heart broke when hers did, I smiled when she did.
I am so glad I read the acknowledgements at the end of the book too as reading about how similar the author is to Maddie’s character made me love the story even more. After the acknowledgements, this novel feels way more personal and like it was more of a memoir than a novel.
One of my favourites of the year- I will be recommending this to anyone who will listen.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief and Death of parent
Minor: Chronic illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, and Suicide