Maame

Reviews / Votes

'One of the must-reads of the year' * Sunday Times * Tender and compelling from the word go, Maame is one of the year's most anticipated books . . . Very funny and utterly readable, this is one for your reading lists' * Stylist * Jessica George's Maame has a warmer, frothier take on family matters. The book follows 20-something British Ghanaian Maddie, who has spent years as a carer for her father and the breadwinner for her family, as she breaks free of doing what's expected of her * Vogue * A poignant and heart-warming coming of age story * Red Magazine * A must-read for 2023 * Belfast Telegraph * This sparkling and poignant coming-of-age novel is going to be huge * Fabulous, Sun on Sunday * A funny coming-of-age novel. When Maddie Wright is presented with the opportunity to leave her traditional Ghanaian home to become the type of woman she has always dreamt of being, she leaps into her new life. However, tragedy then strikes, leaving Maddie forced to consider what she's sacrificing * Huffington Post UK * Maame will have you laughing, crying, and rooting for the protagonist the whole way * Pop Sugar * George's novel is a deeply moving one, packed with heart and sparkling prose * Harper's Bazaar * Moving, funny, poignant and completely unforgettable, you'll love this beautiful coming of age tale about a young woman on a journey to discover the real her' * My Weekly * George has fashioned an appealing hero here: You can't help but root for Maddie's emancipation. Funny, awkward, and sometimes painful, her blossoming is a real delight to witness. A fresh, often funny, always poignant take on the coming-of-age novel -- Kirkus starred review George illustrates the complexities of navigating two cultures and rising from the pressure of other people's expectations beautifully. This is a clever and deeply moving debut * Booklist * A pitch-perfect debut...The work's ample magnetism resides in the savvy portrayal of Maddie as a complicated, sharp, and vulnerable person who is trying to figure out adulthood. Readers will revel in this. * Publishers Weekly * An exciting and emotionally charged debut... Every word is a gem. You will fall in love with Maddie's character as she sets out to find her way in the world via nightmare bosses, passive-aggressive flatmates, questionable men and online dating. A really heart-warming tale of redemption and self-discovery * The i paper * It's impossible not to champion Maddie from the start of this fantastic debut... A truly remarkable debut. Powerful, poignant and downright heart-breaking in parts * My Weekly * Jessica George's first novel is a compassionate portrait of a young woman caught between cultures, and a moving look at how grief can undo you. Maddie is a charming mix of innocence and world-weariness; you end up rooting for her to find her place in the world * Times * An accomplished debut from a talented writer * Prima * Warm and heartfelt, this tender coming-of-age novel will have you rooting for her through it all. * Marie Claire * This coming-of-age story is witty, poignant and inspiring * Elle * Pick of the Week: We root for her through triumphs and tears in this funny tale * The Sun * A moving, funny story about finally finding out where you truly belong * Cosmopolitan * The hot debut * Grazia * A resonant and engaging debut from Jessica George, we absolutely loved Maddie's mature voice as she deals with challenges at this potent time in her life * Magic Book Club * A coming of age tale with a perfectly imperfect protagonist, Maame holds a mirror up to the lives of Black British women anxiously treading the tightrope of our twenties, with little to lean on and much to learn * AZ Magazine * Irresistibly charming, this story of a later bloomer shows us that we all find our stride in life when we are meant to, even if it's not when the rest of the world expects us to. Maame left me with a huge smile and a full heart! * Mikki Brammer * This book will make you laugh and cry but you'll be rooting for Maame all the way * Stylist *