Jessica George

In so many ways, Maame by Jessica George is a coming of age story. The word “maame” in the Twi language means mother or woman. Maddie’s journey of self-discovery is a slow read and tries cover a lot of issues – perhaps, a few too many issues for any one to be developed in full depth. An interesting premise, a relatable lesson, but ultimately a story that proves to be a challenge.

Read my complete review at target="_top">http://www.memoriesfrombooks.com/2023/12/maame.html

Reviewed for NetGalley.… (lisätietoja)

I got about a quarter of the way into this book and then wondered if this was a Reese's Book Club book because it was a romance in the model of Honey and Spice and I would have loved it between the ages of 15 and 21 but not at 61.

In it, a young woman has to stay at home and look after her father whilst her brother lives away doing his thing and her mother lives in Ghana running a hostel. Her father has Parkinson's disease and is at the stage where he needs quite a lot of help. She doesn't fit in, doesn't necessarily like to do the things other young women do and worries that she will never find a partner, as does her mother. And then of course Perfect Sam comes along and with a little bit of will they, won't they, they do. Entirely predictable and not my cup of tea.… (lisätietoja)

Maame is an excellent debut novel by Jessica George covering Maddie’s exploits following moving out of the family home at 25, where she has been looking after her sick father whilst her mother lives in Ghana, and her brother is off living his own life.

Although she is 25 Maddie is quite naive in her outlook and is hit by a number of life’s events hitting her all at once, and finds herself struggling to cope. You live every moment with her, and the gamut of different emotions this brings, this is superbly aided by the excellent writing. You can simply feel each character, as they ooze off the page.

The book covers many aspects of Maddie’s Ghanaian roots and how these impact on her, including at one point speaking to a Ghanaian counsellor. This adds extra layers and dimensions to the book.

All told this is an excellent story, which is very character driven, and is superbly told. At times it isn’t easy reading as you feel for Maddie and what she is going through, and find yourself cheering Maddie along.

An excellent, and different, book which I am happy to recommend. I look forward to seeing what Jessica George writes in the future.… (lisätietoja)