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kelsylee's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Infidelity and Racism
Minor: Drug use and Alcohol
gossamer_lens's review
- 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
As an audiobook this was an absolute breath of fresh air and I would highly recommend!
Moderate: Sexism, Toxic relationship, Xenophobia, Death of parent, and Sexual harassment
karlymarcy's review against another edition
- 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
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
- 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
Moderate: Death and Death of parent
brewdy_reader's review against another edition
- 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
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
Graphic: Sexual content, Death of parent, and Abandonment
sloanefg's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Death of parent
machenn's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Moderate: Chronic illness, Death, and Death of parent
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, and Alcohol
erkadahl's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Death, Suicide, and Death of parent
Moderate: Sexual content
randeerebecca's review against another edition
- 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
3.0
Graphic: Chronic illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Grief, Death of parent, and Gaslighting
Minor: Suicide
madmollyann's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Racism, Sexual assault, and Death of parent