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 (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 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"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"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"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"Maame is a really special novel, at once sweet and sad and funny and so full of life. The sort of book that people are going to cherish, and with good reason" --Bobby Palmer, author of
Isaac and the Egg
