Maame - by Jessica George

About the Book

An unforgettable debut about a young British Ghanaian woman as she navigates her twenties and finds her place in the world, for readers of Queenie and The Other Black Girl.

Book Synopsis

An utterly charming and deeply moving portrait of the joys--and the guilt--of trying to find your own way in life. --Celeste Ng, #1 New York Times bestselling author

Meeting Maame feels like falling in love for the first time: warm, awkward, joyous, a little bit heartbreaking and, most of all, unforgettable. --Xochitl Gonzalez, New York Times bestselling author of Olga Dies Dreaming

Maame (ma-meh) has many meanings in Twi but in my case, it means woman.

It's fair to say that Maddie's life in London is far from rewarding. With a mother who spends most of her time in Ghana (yet still somehow manages to be overbearing), Maddie is the primary caretaker for her father, who suffers from advanced stage Parkinson's. At work, her boss is a nightmare and Maddie is tired of always being the only Black person in every meeting.

When her mum returns from her latest trip to Ghana, Maddie leaps at the chance to get out of the family home and finally start living. A self-acknowledged late bloomer, she's ready to experience some important "firsts" She finds a flat share, says yes to after-work drinks, pushes for more recognition in her career, and throws herself into the bewildering world of internet dating. But it's not long before tragedy strikes, forcing Maddie to face the true nature of her unconventional family, and the perils--and rewards--of putting her heart on the line.

Smart, funny, and deeply affecting, Jessica George's Maame deals with the themes of our time with humor and poignancy: from familial duty and racism, to female pleasure, the complexity of love, and the life-saving power of friendship. Most important, it explores what it feels like to be torn between two homes and cultures--and it celebrates finally being able to find where you belong.

Review Quotes

An utterly charming and deeply moving portrait of the joys--and the guilt--of trying to find your own way in life. At heart, MAAME is about seeing life, your loved ones, and yourself in a new light, and Maddie's journey will resonate with anyone who's had to grow up--or who's still trying to.
--Celeste Ng, New York Times bestselling author of Little Fires Everywhere

A wry, compassionate debut novel...Full of dry humor and entirely relatable moments, Maame is a warmhearted, often hilarious account of one woman's journey through her awkward yet exciting 20s. Readers will root for Maddie to find self-confidence and happiness, both at work and in her personal life...George's narrative is a tribute to all women who make the effort--no matter how difficult or confusing--to take control of their own lives. --Shelf Awareness

I loved every page of this beautiful, heartwarming, empowering book. The world is going to fall in love with Maddie--she stole quietly into my heart and made herself at home there. An exceptional debut from an incredibly exciting new talent.
--Beth O'Leary, bestselling author of The Flatshare

A tender and absorbing novel. --Peace Adzo Medie, author of His Only Wife

This is such a special book. Warm, beautifully drawn and instantly engaging, George tackles pain, loss and longing with the lightest of touches. I learned so much from Maddie, even as I was rooting for her to reclaim her power and jump-start her own life. --Lauren Bravo, author of The Second Chance Store

Meeting MAAME feels like falling in love for the first time: warm, awkward, joyous, a little bit heartbreaking and, most of all, unforgettable. Jessica George viscerally renders the exquisite pain and poignant hilarity of coming of age as a woman today while perfectly capturing the extra thickets of thorns that lay in the paths of women of color in all white spaces. Maame is so many women I have known and loved: experiencing firsts, coming to hard revelations and choosing to bite into life with with full, open hearts.
--Xochitl Gonzalez, New York Times bestselling author of Olga Dies Dreaming

A poignant coming-of-age tale about finding strength, hope and courage when life gets too much and leaves you with more unanswered questions. Maame's quiet confidence is true to life and liberating. --Lizzie Damilola Blackburn, author of Yinka, Where is Your Huzband?

Lively, funny, poignant . . . Prepare to fall in love with Maddie. I did! --Bonnie Garmus, New York Times bestselling author of Lessons in Chemistry

I inhaled MAAME, a brilliant coming-of-age story. Maddie is such a relatable heroine, her voice honest, warm, heart-breaking and heart-healing. It felt truly modern, yet somehow timeless. I adored it. --Nikki May, author of Wahala

This book is going to be EVERYWHERE next year. A truly sparkling coming of age tale. Vividly drawn, witty and heartbreaking. --Julie Owen Moylan, author of That Green-Eyed Girl

About the Author

Jessica George was born and raised in London to Ghanaian parents and studied English Literature at the University of Sheffield. After working at a literary agency and a theatre, she landed a job in the editorial department of Bloomsbury UK. Maame is her first novel.