Maame is one of those books that is being discussed widely everywhere. And by “everywhere,” I mean on the social media platforms I’m active on. I wanted to clarify that.
Maame, which means “woman” in Twi (a Ghanaian language), is the debut novel by Jessica George, a British Ghanaian author. It tells the story of Maddie, a 25-year-old who had to mature quickly, left alone to care for her sick father while navigating her young adult life.
Her mother, who was often absent, was a deeply religious woman who believed prayers could solve everything. I believe in prayers, but sometimes life becomes so challenging that praying may be the last thing on one’s mind. Maddie’s doubts grew stronger as things became increasingly difficult to bear.
Maame is a richly layered book that explores themes of family, grief, friendships, work, love, mental health, and more.
I could relate to Maddie when she talked about love and how it can vary from one person to another. Each individual has their way of giving and receiving love.
I loved how Maddie’s character developed into this amazing woman who strived to discover her true self and worked hard to achieve that. Therapy played a significant role in this process, as she accepted herself and became honest with herself and those around her.
As an introvert myself, I felt a strong connection with her. I, too, enjoy making lists and searching for everything on Google, even some unconventional topics. This aspect of the book made me feel understood.
I thoroughly enjoyed the writing style, which was calm. I am a big fan of short sentences, and Jessica did a brilliant job with it.
This book was simultaneously funny, heartbreaking, and heartwarming. Some parts made me laugh out loud. Others brought tears to my eyes. I truly loved this one.
Oh, and Sam? Ah, I adored him. I think he resembles John Boyega, but a taller version.
I recommend it to anybody looking for a heartwarming book.
Until next time,
Jane 🙂
