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madiskend's review against another edition
4.0
Entertaining. As someone who didn’t know much about Trevor Noah from the start I didn’t really know what I was getting into. I was very curious how he came from this background and ended up with a show and I have to say, I still am very curious it did not detail that at all. Oh well. Good read.
almodine's review against another edition
challenging
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
4.5
Trevor is a mixed race man who partially grew up living under apartheid in South Africa, which might make it seem like his would be a story that’s tough to relate to. On the contrary, this is a collection of stories for anyone who has ever felt like they don’t fit in anywhere. At times tough to read, at times laugh out loud funny, at times both simultaneously, I respected him before but I adore him now.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism and Domestic abuse
Minor: Animal cruelty
jenni_elyse's review against another edition
4.0
Amazing memoir. It was fascinating to read about the life of a mixed person's life growing up during the apartheid. It was also interesting to read about Trevor Noah's life since he's one of my favorite comedians.
whatlenalikes's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
Wow. This book is breathtaking. It’s written in the same simple, funny, intimate style as Trevor’s comedy, but it deals with the real darkness and tragedy of his childhood growing up under and after apartheid. The complicated figure of his mother throughout the book is so stunningly and humanistically portrayed.
Do you ever read a memoir that you know you won’t be able to stop thinking about for years? Because that’s this one. It’s so matter of fact with the way it deals with the dark stuff, and it also has such moments of light, it’s impossible to put down or forget. Even though it’s an essay collection, so it’s far from a cohesive storyline of Trevor’s childhood, the puzzle pieces are all there that explain how he became the individual he did. It’s just stunningly told.
There weren’t a whole lot of negative reviews that I saw for this, but I’ll say it: the ones that I did see were straight up racist, or completely unaware of their own privilege. I saw people complaining about the choices Trevor’s parents made, or the way he recounted some of the abuses he experienced. I hope those people maybe take a moment to reflect on why that disturbed them as much as it did. This was a stunning collection of well-written stories, and definitely a book I will be revisiting.
Do you ever read a memoir that you know you won’t be able to stop thinking about for years? Because that’s this one. It’s so matter of fact with the way it deals with the dark stuff, and it also has such moments of light, it’s impossible to put down or forget. Even though it’s an essay collection, so it’s far from a cohesive storyline of Trevor’s childhood, the puzzle pieces are all there that explain how he became the individual he did. It’s just stunningly told.
There weren’t a whole lot of negative reviews that I saw for this, but I’ll say it: the ones that I did see were straight up racist, or completely unaware of their own privilege. I saw people complaining about the choices Trevor’s parents made, or the way he recounted some of the abuses he experienced. I hope those people maybe take a moment to reflect on why that disturbed them as much as it did. This was a stunning collection of well-written stories, and definitely a book I will be revisiting.
xcen's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
4.5
khander84's review against another edition
5.0
Listen to this one on audio - it is so much better told in Trevor Noah's own voice!
jbrownleo's review against another edition
5.0
I’ve always liked Trevor Noah. I find him hilarious and extremely intelligent. This book made me love him even more. Filled with stories that will make you laugh and stories that will make you cry, his memoir is definitely a story of hope and faith.
cewhouser7405's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
4.75