Maame by Jessica George is an absolutely delightful, poignant character study of Maddie- a 25 year old woman living in the UK who is trying to find her own way and meet the expectations of her Ghanian family. Maddie is often called "maame" by her mother, it is a name with many meanings including woman and mother, often bestowed upon the eldest daughter. As the maame of her family, Maddie is saddled with many responsibilities including being the primary caregiver for her father who has Parkinson's. 

When her father's health rapidly declines, we journey with Maddie through her grief whilst she also has to deal with employment, flat mates, and attempts at dating. I loved how accurately and tenderly this book showed what it feels like to be in your twenties, the true mess that that time is for many of us. I also loved the complex and nuanced depiction of a family that is grieving, loving, and dysfunctional. Maddie learns to stand up for herself as she finds her own worth in this story. 

Maame is a hands down five star read for me, excellently written and beautifully narrated. The audiobook was top notch; the narrator seamlessly transitioned from a UK accent to a Ghanian accent to portray all of the characters. This book is a real treat, full of the range of emotions. I have not a single criticism.