Maame(107)

To Chris Modafferi, because she is the ultimate, feel-great-about-yourself hype woman, and every author needs a Chris. Nobody effervesces quite like you do and I hope you know that. To Delal Jamal, simply because I still have that card you brought me, with THE BEST IS YET TO BE on the front, when after hundreds of submission rejections, I found an agent.

Last but by no means least, to Dad—obviously. Thank you for everything even when you weren’t doing much. Writing this book has reminded me of a lot and I’m so grateful for that. I’m so grateful to have been given the opportunity to immortalize you in print, our wordless memories trapped within paper and ink. Our introverted tendencies meant we have hardly any photos or videos together, and I’ve heard a lot about how it can get harder and harder to remember a loved one the more time passes after their death. I know it has nothing to do with how much you loved the person or how much they meant to you, and I don’t see myself forgetting certain things about you on purpose, but alas, memory and age are not the greatest of partners. That combined with a lack of photographic evidence needed to illuminate a fading memory, it wasn’t looking good for me. Now, I’ll always have this book. So the dedication at the beginning reads: For Dad, but secretly, in invisible ink perhaps, it reads For Jess as well. This book is for days when my memory could use an extra bit of help.

Dad, I’m not sure if you’re reading this as I’m unaware of what the book delivery system is like up there, but just in case, I hope you like it. Just don’t read the naughty bits. I love you, okay?

I said last but not least, but I do have a few words for readers. Thank you for taking the time out to read Maame when there is a literal sea of books you could have selected from. If I may, if you have a loved one in your life, write something down about them. Take a picture and record a video and keep them safe for days when your memory could use an extra bit of help.

So, how did I do? Too long?

Jess x





About the Author

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 theater, she landed a job in the editorial department of Bloomsbury UK. Maame is her first novel. You can sign up for email updates here.