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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
amalas_bookstop'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: Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual content, Grief, Death of parent, and Abandonment
Moderate: Cursing
Minor: Drug use, Infidelity, Suicidal thoughts, and Alcohol
teacupsandfirereads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Mental illness, Terminal illness, and Grief
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Racism, Death of parent, and Abandonment
Minor: Infidelity, Sexual assault, Suicide, and Toxic relationship
mdavis26's review against another edition
3.5
Graphic: Chronic illness, Fatphobia, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicide, Grief, Death of parent, and Abandonment
alybarnett02's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Sexual content, Terminal illness, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Toxic relationship and Abandonment
cmhillner's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Mental illness, Racism, Death of parent, and Abandonment
michelles_books9's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Chronic illness, Death, Grief, Death of parent, and Abandonment
aerialwhitney's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Moderate: Chronic illness, Racism, Grief, Death of parent, Gaslighting, and Abandonment
fkshg8465'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
Graphic: Infidelity, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Terminal illness, Grief, Death of parent, and Abandonment
sophs_mood_reading'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
When a nickname becomes a life burden. This is what life is for Maddie. The youngest child and only daughter of a family in London. Her mother flees to Ghana for years at a time, her brother is too busy and her father has Parkinson’s and relies on her for his care.
But is this all life is for Maddie, can she change, does she want to change, she better google it.
This novel is about the beautiful self discovery of a 25 year old woman who’s family put to much on her and others around her take advantage of her.
I loved how her story unfolded, life forced her to change and question her life choices, her mental state and who she wants to be, all with the help of a google search.
This was a beautiful insight into family dynamics, mental illness, discrimination and found family.
At first I got annoyed by Maddie’s googling every question she had and talking out loud to herself but as the book continued I realised why she did it and why it was needed.
Highly recommend this read but there are some triggers so be kind to yourself.
Graphic: Drug use, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Grief, Death of parent, Gaslighting, and Abandonment