Asked what inspired her new novel The Rest of You, Maame Blue recalls a vivid image from her memories of early 2020 while living in Melbourne: a young woman dancing alone in a club, surrounded by people, yet completely solitary. This image became Whitney, the novel’s protagonist, and from there, the story unfolded.
A central theme of the novel is identity, particularly what it means to be Ghanaian British. Like Whitney, Blue grew up in London with Ghanaian heritage, and she wanted to explore this duality. “Everyone’s experience of being Black British or Ghanaian British is different,” she said. Through Whitney’s friendships and her ties to London, the novel captures the fluid and intersectional nature of cultural identity.
The novel’s dual timeline – one half set in present-day London, the other in 1990s Ghana – adds another layer to Whitney’s journey. While Blue didn’t grow up in Ghana, she conducted extensive research and visited the country to bridge the gaps in her understanding.
Blue’s background as a psychotherapist also played a crucial role in shaping the novel’s themes. “I was really interested in what happens after you’ve discovered something devastating – how do you move forward?” she said. Her work with trauma survivors informed her portrayal of Whitney’s emotional landscape, making her journey all the more compelling.
A Voice Shaped by TV and Film
While many authors cite literary influences, Blue attributes much of her narrative voice to film and television. “I grew up watching Disney movies, which are full of drama and peril,” she said, adding that she gravitates towards stories with complex, often unlikeable characters.
For Blue, storytelling is less about exposition and more about character depth. “I don’t like too much description. I want to know how things feel, not necessarily where things are in a room.” This cinematic approach is evident in her work, where emotions and character interactions take centre stage.
Whitney’s character, while clear in Blue’s mind from the outset, presented challenges in writing. “Her journey was personal to me,”. The novel explores Whitney’s childhood in Ghana, her questions about the past, and the missing pieces in her sense of self.
“I wanted to show what happens when you don’t have all the answers,” Blue said. “Can you still accept yourself, even with the gaps in your history?” This theme of being enough resonates throughout the book, asking readers to reflect on their own identities and the unknowns in their family history.
What’s Next for Maame Blue?
Currently based in Australia, Blue is continuing to write while teaching. While she remained mysterious about the details, she teased that her next project is “something very different”. Readers will have to stay tuned to see what’s next from this compelling storyteller.
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