Prime logo Prime members: New to Audible?
Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.
Maame  By  cover art

Maame

By: Jessica George
Narrated by: Heather Agyepong
Try for $0.00

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $20.24

Buy for $20.24

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.

Publisher's summary

A Today Show #ReadWithJenna Book Club Pick

ALA Alex Awards winner (Adult for Young Adults), 2024

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.

©2023 Jessica George (P)2023 Macmillan Audio

Interview: In "Maame", Jessica George Taps into the Relatability of Loneliness and Grief

'The biggest regret people usually have is how much time they spent with someone who is now gone...'
-0.00
  • Maame
  • 'The biggest regret people usually have is how much time they spent with someone who is now gone...'

Editorial Review

An irresistible coming-of-age story
Jessica George’s flawless debut explores a young British Ghanaian woman grappling with delayed adulthood and the burden of family secrets. Maddie Wright has earned the nickname Maame (“the responsible one”) taking care of her Parkinson’s afflicted father while her mother stays in Ghana and her brother James lives his life unencumbered. Her mother’s return signals Maddie to move out, but her awkward steps toward newfound independence lead to new hurts and complicated truths. Heather Agyepong voices Maddie with the perfect mix of sharpness and vulnerability, making Maddie’s blossoming a delight to listen to—my heart hurts when hers breaks, and I can’t help but cheer alongside her moments of triumph and joy. —Margaret H., Audible Editor

More from the same

Narrator

What listeners say about Maame

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    477
  • 4 Stars
    182
  • 3 Stars
    72
  • 2 Stars
    13
  • 1 Stars
    0
Performance
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    542
  • 4 Stars
    96
  • 3 Stars
    16
  • 2 Stars
    1
  • 1 Stars
    0
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    421
  • 4 Stars
    162
  • 3 Stars
    53
  • 2 Stars
    12
  • 1 Stars
    5

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A dang good book!

I happened to be watching Today and Jenna Bush Hager recommended this book, I have so many credits to use but I’m stingy with them. This book did not disappoint, so real, so raw, most of all fills you with hope.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Enjoyed listening to the story of Maddie

Good book! I really enjoyed the narrator and hearing about the life of Maddie and how it evolves.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Such a beautifully heartbreaking read

Who can’t feel for Maddy in this book. This first hand account of the struggle of living up to everyone else’s expectations of you broke my heart yet there were parts of Maddy I could see in my own upbringing from Caribbean immigrants where we don’t share what’s going on at home. And what a wonderful job by the narrator. My favorite book in a long time.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Such a refreshing story

I laughed so often through this reading. It was funny real and so entertaining. Loved it!!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

What a great read - I was hooked from start to finish

I have done another 5 hours. Such creative and expressing and imaginative writing, I could have visualize this and I will surely like more and more. Part 2?

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Smart read enjoyed it

This book is real as simple as it appears explores deeply complex issues. Narration was top notch

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Heartfelt and I loved the main character

I loved Maddie as a main character. She was so relatable and I loved seeing her arc and hearing the inner dialogue.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Beautiful story and performance.

I loved the book’s pacing. Wonderful story. I look forward to more from the author and narrator.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great read

Really enjoyed this coming of age story of a young woman who is dealing with loss, guilt, learning of self,and relationships. Highly recommend!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Another great choice by Read with Jenna

I enjoyed this coming of age book. The narration was amazing. Great debut novel from a talented writer. I look forward to her future books.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!