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4.56 AVERAGE
4.56 AVERAGE
emotional
funny
informative
reflective
medium-paced
Despite the "Stores From a South African Childhood" subtitle, the real weight in Trevor Noah's book is his mother's biography. Her story is woven into his: her young adulthood, her struggle with traditional gender roles, her inexplicable personal relationships. Noah tries to understand her choices -- most notably her choice to produce a son she could barely care for, and whose race would permanently mark him as an outsider in apartheid South Africa.
In a few chapters around Noah's teen years, the story dips into the standard fare of famous person memoirs: heartbreak, anxiety about dances, bad haircuts. Celebrities, they're just like us! In the end, it's not really a problem, because Noah's upbringing is so remarkable and his book is thoughtful enough to match.
Noah narrates his own audiobook, which is great not only because he does a great job but also because I doubt they could have found another narrator who could match his capacity for languages (he speaks eight, I think)
In a few chapters around Noah's teen years, the story dips into the standard fare of famous person memoirs: heartbreak, anxiety about dances, bad haircuts. Celebrities, they're just like us! In the end, it's not really a problem, because Noah's upbringing is so remarkable and his book is thoughtful enough to match.
Noah narrates his own audiobook, which is great not only because he does a great job but also because I doubt they could have found another narrator who could match his capacity for languages (he speaks eight, I think)
Trevor's story growing up in South Africa under apartheid rule is fascinating to say the least. It was hard to put the book down for any moment, I highly recommend!!
emotional
funny
inspiring
fast-paced
This book could be my favorite this year... It's hard for me to comprehend that, as I've read quite a few really, really good books this year, but this one in particular was so informative and interesting and heartfelt and charming. I'm sure the audio version is amazing. I'll have to give it a listen sometime, maybe beg my local library to add it to their digital collection.
I'm a fan of Trevor Noah. I think he's charming and intelligent, and I think he's done a good job on The Daily Show. I enjoy watching him. Honestly, even if I set all that aside, I still want to recommend this book to everyone I know. It's just that well-written and provides such an insight. It's his personal experience, his memoir, but because he is both an intelligent man and a comedian, he makes his story entertaining, endearing, and emotional.
This must be said too: Trevor's mother is one of the most amazing women I have ever had the pleasure of reading about. She is such an admirable human being, a force to be reckoned with, an almost mythical figure. I love her.
UPDATE 3/2/2017: This is not related to the book, but I'm going to see Trevor do stand-up in Ithaca in April, AND I'M SO EXCITED ABOUT IT, EVERYONE!!!
emotional
funny
sad
fast-paced
Really great book. I listened to the audiobook which was a great choice - he did a fantastic job with the narration. I know little of his work, but loved a lot of what he said and the little lessons he learned while growing up. Definitely recommend.
adventurous
funny
informative
sad
medium-paced
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
medium-paced