Scan barcode
crows_in_a_trenchcoat's review against another edition
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? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, and Death of parent
Moderate: Racism
Minor: Suicide
lorigee's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent
miahenry's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
4.5
I really loved Maame, the book and the young woman.
Maame, the character, is so rich, her struggles are relatable even though her circumstances are specific and she is so young. I usually have a hard time relating to stories of twentysomething’s coming-of-age, but Maame’s honesty and confusion made me look back on my younger self with compassion. Also, since she had to grow up so fast, it felt like she was both very young and very old, which made me want to just hug her. I also felt very protective of her, as maybe I would myself.
The writing style makes this a swift, but not an easy read. Maame narrates her life in a way that is both distant and self-aware. It includes text message exchanges that help us get to know other characters and her google searches for (often conflicting) guidance on her problems, the results of which were hilarious and sad and real.
All of the characters were well drawn and complex enough. We see Maame navigate friendship, romance, and family relationships the way we all have to at some point, with messy boundaries and later learning who to keep and who to let go.
Maame’s role as a caregiver elevates the quality of this read because I feel like the emotions and sense of responsibility tied to this part of her identity is handled with such beautiful and respectful nuance.
Also after really rooting for Maame for most of the book, I found the final chapters deeply satisfying. This is a strong work of literary fiction that I deeply enjoyed, an impressive debut novel I highly recommend. It’s really a 4.5.
Maame, the character, is so rich, her struggles are relatable even though her circumstances are specific and she is so young. I usually have a hard time relating to stories of twentysomething’s coming-of-age, but Maame’s honesty and confusion made me look back on my younger self with compassion. Also, since she had to grow up so fast, it felt like she was both very young and very old, which made me want to just hug her. I also felt very protective of her, as maybe I would myself.
The writing style makes this a swift, but not an easy read. Maame narrates her life in a way that is both distant and self-aware. It includes text message exchanges that help us get to know other characters and her google searches for (often conflicting) guidance on her problems, the results of which were hilarious and sad and real.
All of the characters were well drawn and complex enough. We see Maame navigate friendship, romance, and family relationships the way we all have to at some point, with messy boundaries and later learning who to keep and who to let go.
Maame’s role as a caregiver elevates the quality of this read because I feel like the emotions and sense of responsibility tied to this part of her identity is handled with such beautiful and respectful nuance.
Also after really rooting for Maame for most of the book, I found the final chapters deeply satisfying. This is a strong work of literary fiction that I deeply enjoyed, an impressive debut novel I highly recommend. It’s really a 4.5.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Death of parent, and Abandonment
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Racism, Suicide, and Toxic relationship
lisettemarie's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Drug use, Mental illness, Racism, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
kelsylee's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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: Death of parent
Moderate: Infidelity and Racism
Minor: Drug use and Alcohol
gossamer_lens's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
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? Yes
4.75
This book handled many interesting and important themes. I related a lot to how the main character thought as a Gen Z person. The instant googling and anxious inner thoughts felt very relatable. At the same time it was fun to get some insight into a Ghanian British POV.
As an audiobook this was an absolute breath of fresh air and I would highly recommend!
As an audiobook this was an absolute breath of fresh air and I would highly recommend!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexism, Toxic relationship, Xenophobia, Death of parent, and Sexual harassment
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
annarick15's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Death of parent
brewdy_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
sloanefg's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent