Maame (audiobook) by Jessica George
Bibliographic Information
Title: Maame
Author: Jessica George
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
Copyright Date: January 31, 2023
ISBN: 978-1250282521
Page Count: 320
Genre/Format
Fiction/Audiobook
Reading Level/Interest Level
Adult, with special interest for young adults
Awards
Summary
Maddie (also known as Maame to her family) is a London-born 25-year-old with Ghanian immigrant parents. She is the primary caregiver for her father who suffers from Parkinson’s disease as her mother spends extended periods of time in Ghana (up to a year at a time) and her only brother is too busy living his own life to help. Her mother, however is over-bearing even from afar, and is constantly quizzing Maddie when she will get married and have kids, but Maddie is a bit of a ‘later bloomer’ (Adimora, n.d.). So when her mother decides to move back to London to take care of her father, Maddie decides to try and re-invent herself. She experiences many firsts. She loses her job whilst simultaneously finding an apartment and flatmates for the first time. After securing a new job at a small publishing house, she navigates female friendships and online dating. But after tragedy strikes, her anxiety and depression become worse when mixed with terrible grief, and she must navigate life and cultures between society and her family.
About the Author
Jessica George
George was born in London to Ghanian parents and studied English Literature at the University of Sheffield. She wrote Maame while working in the editorial department of a publishing house but worked at a literary agency and at a theatre prior. She currently lives in North London. Maame is her first published novel (Adimora, n.d.)
Critical Evaluation
I loved this book, and especially loved how real Maddie felt. She was fully developed and I think many young adults will be able to relate to her coming-of-age experiences, as well as her anxiety and depression that was magnified by grief. She explores platonic female friendships in a way that allows the reader to grasp the other female characters fully. She also she navigates online dating, painful sex, and the nuances in dating relationships that society expects. Additionally, she explores career nuances for young employees that many will find relatable. Lastly, she explores race and culture as a Black woman in London.
Creative Use for a Library Program
Maddie is a later bloomer according to George. She is renting a flat and experiencing flatmates for the first time. The library can host a young adult life skills program that includes helpful tips for moving out on your own.
Speed-Round Talk
Maddy is a 25 year old who was living with and taking care of her father who suffers from Alzheimer’s, but when her mother moves home, Maddy moves out and experiences many new firsts that most young people have already experienced, but she will it be everything she hoped for?
Me, when something goes right for Maddie
Potential Challenge Issues and Defense Preparation
This is an adult book and there are some sexual scenes. The protagonist does not enjoy sex and disassociates during it. The scenes give readers ways to see how sexual scenes might play out and how they make the protagonist feel. It won’t be for everyone, but it provides an opportunity to see how the protagonist handles things and allows the reader to think about how they might do things differently.
Reason for Inclusion
This book is an adult crossover, but due to special circumstances, the 25-year-old protagonist is experiencing things that most people experience between the ages of 18 and 22. She hasn’t ever had roommates, or a serious romantic relationship, and her career is still new. Many teens who deal with anxiety and depression, family issues, culture clashes and feelings of being torn between two identities will enjoy it.
Bonus Information
This book was a NYT bestseller, a Today Show Read with Jenna Book Club Pick, and is being adapted for a TV show.
Here is a brief part of the conversation hosted on Today with Hoda & Jenna:
References
Adimora, N. (n.d.). Jessica George: In conversation. Afreada: Stories from home. Retrieved November 15, 2024 from https://www.afreada.com/interviews/jessica-george
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation #loveCBC[@cbc]. Schitts creek love GIF by CBC [Gif]. Giphy. https://giphy.com/gifs/cbc-schittscreek-schitts-creek-dgT0gSKXnR3zr89QMq
George, J. (2023, January 31). Maame: A novel. St. Martin’s Press.
Today with Hoda & Jenna [@HodaAndJenna]. (2023, February 21). Jessica George talks personal inspiration behind ‘Maame’ [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=wnjZ06YUvRQ
*Book COver Image is property of St. Martin’s Press; taken from Amazon.