Maame Book Review

Jun 12

Hi there! Can you believe that I’m back with another blog post so soon after the previous one? Having a space to share what I want without the pressure of algorithms has encouraged me to resume blogging. Provided you’re new here, you should know that one of my favourite things to discuss on my blog is literature. Today, we’re delving into a novel that I could not put down - Maame by Jessica George. If you’re looking for books to pull you out of a reading slump, start with this one! Continue reading for my review. I promise to not give away too much.

Summary

While her mother hides away in Ghana and her brother gallivants around the world with his entertainment industry friends, twenty something year old Maame is left in London to take care of her ailing father. Both her mother and brother seem to think that Maame wants nothing more than to shoulder this responsibility alone. Herein lies the weight of the name Maame. Among other connotations, it means woman in Twi and from childhood, the nickname has imposed adult duties upon our protagonist (whose English name is Maddie). As the story unfolds, Maame grapples with the significance of her name and her role as her dad’s caregiver. Even though Maame is devoted to her father, it’s clear that managing her father’s health and the household’s financial responsibilities take their toll. As she navigates all this, she also faces challenges external to her family life such as racial micro-aggressions at work ; dating woes and room-mate drama. To make matters worse, Maame keeps her concerns bottled up because her mother has taught her not to open up to people outside their family. No psychological counseling. No confiding in friends. It’s not surprising that Maame ends up depressed and struggles to find her voice.

My Review

This novel initially caught my attention due to its vibrant cover. Not that I needed more convincing, but the description sealed the deal. Thank goodness I didn’t hesitate to buy the book. From page one, it felt like I was following along as a younger friend figured out her life. Although Maame has been handling circumstances that many people twice her age would find difficult, in other facets of life she is inexperienced. Nonetheless, Maame is curious about the parts of young adulthood she has been missing out on and she’s ready to start living beyond the constraints of her family. She fills in the gaps in her social knowledge through a combination of Google, her friends’ savvy and her share of mistakes. Some of these mistakes are painful. Some more embarrassing than painful but they make Maame wiser and make her character endearing. Many of the mistakes Maame makes might be easy to recover from by themselves but they end up being compounded by grief. As she deals with heart-breaking loss, Maame stumbles through her new found freedom. It doesn’t help that she does not feel supported by her mother and brother or that they contribute to her stress.

Speaking of her mother and brother, they’re far from the most loathsome characters ever written but I wasn’t keen on them, especially Maame’s mother. I found myself wondering what type of woman leaves the care of her husband to her young daughter while dictating said daughter’s choices. There aren’t many opportunities to hear the mother’s and brother’s perspective since the story is told from Maame’s point of view. However, by the end of the story, the author reveals enough of the mother’s backstory to warrant some empathy towards her and make me question if I had been too quick to pass judgement. Her treatment of Maame and her father may not have been justified but knowing more about her story helped me understand. Furthermore, these revelations show how parents have their own heartbreaks, regrets and trauma which, if left unhealed, can negatively shape their children. This book also depicts how although many traditions are edifying , some - whether familial or cultural, aren’t healthy. While it’s important to preserve the positive ones, some traditions should be re-evaluated and abandoned.

I’m usually a sucker for an exquisitely written piece of prose, the sort that reads like poetry. This isn’t that type of novel. The writing is straight to the point but that didn’t make me like it less. It is a heartfelt story that covers topics that resonate with me. It is evident that the author gave a lot of thought to such subjects like mental health in black/immigrant families; racial discrimination in UK workplaces and dating circles. The author’s style also proved that sometimes the most effective way to convey profound things is to say them simply. The characters were well developed and the pacing was steady. I never had the impression that things were dragging along or being rushed from scene to scene without proper explanation.

The plot reflected talented storytelling and I enjoyed the cast of characters (even the villains). But Maame was the star. There were a few instances when I forgot I was reading a book and started crying for her or going off on one of the other characters for disrespecting my girl. Even though Maame went through some painful experiences, I’m happy that she got to know herself better and found her voice. I felt so proud of her in the end. This connection with a fictional character is the type of experience that makes me love reading.

Have you read Maame and if so, what do you think of the book?