Maame: A Today Show Read With Jenna Book Club Pick

Written by:
Jessica George
Narrated by:
Heather Agyepong

Unabridged Audiobook

Ratings
Book
36
Narrator
12
Release Date
January 2023
Duration
10 hours 10 minutes
Summary
A Today Show #ReadWithJenna Book Club Pick

One of BookPage's Best Audiobooks of 2023

'The patchwork elements cooperate with one another both on the page and in the audiobook, thanks to Heather Agyepong’s elegant narration.' —New York Times

'Maame is a deeply funny yet emotional novel that comes alive with narration. A great pick for the twenty-something trying to make their way in the world, this audiobook will have you laughing on your commute to work.' —USA Today

'Sardonic, authentic, and a little bit sad, it moves along at a brisk pace. Compulsively listenable.' —Vulture

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 life 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.

'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

A Macmillan Audio production from St. Martin’s Press.
Reviews
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Anonymous

Good read. A coming of age story for young people to enjoy. Simple story line, expertly read.

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MaryLynn

A woman realizing her worth to her family.

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Latoya L.

Maame (ma-meh) has many meanings in the West African African language Twi, but in this book, it means woman. Maddie is a Ghanaian who lives in London and the primary person who takes care of her ailing father, who suffers from an advanced stage of Parkinsons disease. Her mother can't be bothered while she lives her life in Africa, as though she has no children, no a dying husband. Just like her mother, her brother leaves her to take care of their father as he lives his life worry free. Maddie works at a publishing company and the only Black girl there. Just like her personal life, those at work take advantage of her until she finally speaks up for herself. Then comes Sam, and their relationship blossoms, and he encourages her to speak up for herself at work and with her family. Maddie tells her mother to call her by her name and to stop calling her Maame. She despises the name/word because her mother had been calling her a woman since she's been a little girl, and tacked on the responsibilities with it. When Maddies father passed he left only her 50 thousand pounds, and her mother was shocked. She assumed she would het some, but her father knew who took care of him. This story is a prime example of how families can expect one to do all the work and, in the end, want recognition. It also addressed familial duty, racism, female pleasure, love, the power of friendship, how important boundaries are, and what it feels like to be torn between 2 homes and cultures and finally being able to fond where you belong and speaking up for yourself. #Book3of2023 #BookWorm #Whatsnext

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