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4.56 AVERAGE
4.56 AVERAGE
Listening added a whole other dimension to the book - Trevor Noah is so adept at accents, and it made the story that much more interesting
However, many stories were repeated, almost verbatim. A better editor would have caught these repetitions.....
However, many stories were repeated, almost verbatim. A better editor would have caught these repetitions.....
I actually haven't watched The Daily Show since Trevor Noah began hosting but I was compelled to read this book based off of recommendations from my friends. I was curious to read more about growing up during the apartheid which he does go into early on in the book but I would say the majority of the book is a tribute to his mom.
It wasn't what I was expecting but it was a fun read. I found myself relating to a lot of his childhood stories even though our upbringings and personalities were completely different.
It wasn't what I was expecting but it was a fun read. I found myself relating to a lot of his childhood stories even though our upbringings and personalities were completely different.
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
I am usually not a memoir person, but I am a big Trevor Noah fan, and I read Ashley's review of the memoir when she read it, so I decided to try a memoir. It truly was one of the most compelling stories I have ever read. I laughed, I choked up.
I feel like apartheid is something that was very much skimmed over growing up. My classes never really made it to that section of world history. In a lot of ways, this memoir was my first exposure to the topic. I thin it is interesting to see how growing up when apartheid was ending impacted Trevor Noah's childhood and worldview.
I think the thing that struck me the most was that the memoir truly comes off as a love letter to his mom. He writes with admiration of her self-confidence and her no-nonsense attitude. He even writes with love about how she diciplined him. The thing that he truly seems both confused by and respectful of is how religious his mom is. Trevor Noah makes a lot of jokes about his mom's religiousness, but the ending of the book really speaks of her belief with almost a reverence. His love for his mother really radiates off the pages.
Obviously, I will never have his same life experiences, and I can't necessarily place myself in his shoes because of how different his childhood was, but I do think this book is eye-opening. It introduces South African culture - specifically black, South African culture. It focuses on a specific, impactful piece of world history. And most poigntently, it makes you feel connected to the author even over the distance of the novel.
Overall, this is easily one of the best books I've ever read, if not THE best book I've ever read. I think it is impactful, and I would recommend it to anyone (of an appropraite age to read a book that tackles dark themes).
I feel like apartheid is something that was very much skimmed over growing up. My classes never really made it to that section of world history. In a lot of ways, this memoir was my first exposure to the topic. I thin it is interesting to see how growing up when apartheid was ending impacted Trevor Noah's childhood and worldview.
I think the thing that struck me the most was that the memoir truly comes off as a love letter to his mom. He writes with admiration of her self-confidence and her no-nonsense attitude. He even writes with love about how she diciplined him. The thing that he truly seems both confused by and respectful of is how religious his mom is. Trevor Noah makes a lot of jokes about his mom's religiousness, but the ending of the book really speaks of her belief with almost a reverence. His love for his mother really radiates off the pages.
Obviously, I will never have his same life experiences, and I can't necessarily place myself in his shoes because of how different his childhood was, but I do think this book is eye-opening. It introduces South African culture - specifically black, South African culture. It focuses on a specific, impactful piece of world history. And most poigntently, it makes you feel connected to the author even over the distance of the novel.
Overall, this is easily one of the best books I've ever read, if not THE best book I've ever read. I think it is impactful, and I would recommend it to anyone (of an appropraite age to read a book that tackles dark themes).
Trevor Noah is always funny, but this book also offers insights into life in apartheid and post-apartheid South Africa.
emotional
funny
sad
fast-paced
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
This was very enjoyable to read - well written, engaging and I would thoroughly recommend.