MAAME

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.

“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

“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 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

“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

1. How does the meaning of the word Maame evolve throughout the story, and how does Maddie’s relationship to it change?

2. Google search results appear frequently throughout the novel. In what kind of situations does Maddie turn to Google for answers, and why do you think she does so? How did the inclusion of her search results affect your reading experience?

3. Maddie misses out on several social experiences because she is taking care of her father. How does this affect the way she views herself, particularly in relation to other young people her age?

4. How does religion and God play a role in this story? Are the two distinct at any points? Does their role in Maddie’s life shift after her father passes away?

5. Maddie’s mother tells her to “keep family matters private” (page 1). How does this affect Maddie’s personal life and/or her ability to connect with people? How does this same directive affect how Maddie’s mum lives her life?

6. At times, Maddie doesn’t feel like she meets the expectations of her English environment or her Ghanaian culture. Have you or anyone you know struggled with a similar conflict?

7. Maddie is often the only Black person in the room at both of her jobs with CGT and OTP. This environment makes Maddie hyperaware of things like her hair or the food she eats. How does Maddie’s race, gender, and culture affect her experience in the workplace? Compare and contrast Katherine’s and Maddie’s experiences in the workplace.

8. On page 14, Maddie explains that CGT hired her when they were focusing on “reflecting diversity.” Months into the job, Maddie realized that the only other Black people she worked with “were mainly front of house, serving staff.” What are your thoughts on this observation, and how companies in general treat diversity in the workplace? Do you notice any performative diversity in the story or in your own life?

9. On page 167, Shu says, “You don’t want a boyfriend who isn’t racist, Maddie. You need a boyfriend who is actively anti-racist.” How does Maddie experience the lower layers of the lasagna of racism––like microaggression and unconscious bias––in her dating experience? What about within the workplace? In your own life, what steps, if any, do you take toward being anti-racist, and why is it so important to do so?

10. Maddie’s brother and mum have been absent most of her life. Discuss their family dynamic, and how secrets and guilt play a role in it. How do Maddie, James, and their mum each deal with regret, and does this affect the way they choose to live, moving forward?

11. Maddie explains that she and her dad never spoke to each other much, but they clearly have a deep, genuine relationship. Why do you believe they are so close? What do you think brings them together?

12. To what extent does Maddie’s relationship with her mother evolve over the course of the novel? What do you imagine for their dynamic in the future?

13. How does Maddie grieve the loss of her father? How does her perspective on how she’s “supposed” to grieve evolve over the story? Does Maddie grieve the loss of her father at all before his death? What role does Nia’s and Shu’s friendship play?

14. The author dedicates the novel “For Dad.” For both Maddie and Jessica George, writing proves to be an emotional outlet. How does knowing that Maddie’s experiences are partially inspired by Jessica’s own loss of her father affect your understanding of the story? What kinds of outlets have you turned to in your own instances of grief or heartbreak?

15. How did this book impact you, and what emotions did it leave you with?