Maame

Meet Maddie Wright, a 25-year-old Londoner whose childhood nickname “Maame” means woman. She's been the responsible one in her family for as long as she can remember, and now is the caretaker for her dad, who suffers from Parkinson's. You'd think her job in theatre might be glamorous but it's nothing but a slog, and her love life is nothing to write home about either. And don't get her started on the racism she's subject to at work, where she's often the only Black person in the room. So when her mother returns from Ghana, Maddie sees her chance to break free and moves into a flat with two roommates. Life's looking up until tragedy forces Maddie to reimagine her path going forward and think long and hard about what truly matters in life.

This is a stunning debut by Jessica George. Her lovable and very relatable protagonist Maddie is a young girl who embodies not only the naivete of youth but the often serious responsibility placed on children to care for their family members. Its by turns heartwarming and humorous, sad and yet strikingly realistic and emotive. Highly recommended must-read for anyone who enjoys a poignant and moving portrayal of a young girl's coming-of-age.

My thanks to Net Galley and St. Martin's Press for providing an ARC for early review