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dkatreads's review against another edition
5.0
Touching, hilarious, informative.
Emphatically not a retired sage sipping tea in his home office full of the western canon classics kind of memoir, but for that, it shined. Noah is an incredible storyteller, and he held no punches bringing us a story of love and devotion, and fear and oppression.
Emphatically not a retired sage sipping tea in his home office full of the western canon classics kind of memoir, but for that, it shined. Noah is an incredible storyteller, and he held no punches bringing us a story of love and devotion, and fear and oppression.
neelamreadsalot's review against another edition
5.0
I listened to the audiobook and it was definitely the way to go. I love Trevor Noah on the daily show and his stand ups, and hearing him tell his own story was amazing.
As for the story itself, there’s so much rich history he divulges and he manages to tell the most heartbreaking moments by softening the blows with humour. He covered so many topics that are so important, especially these last few years. But it’s the warmth portrayed in the writing that sucks you in. Just so good. I highly recommend it.
As for the story itself, there’s so much rich history he divulges and he manages to tell the most heartbreaking moments by softening the blows with humour. He covered so many topics that are so important, especially these last few years. But it’s the warmth portrayed in the writing that sucks you in. Just so good. I highly recommend it.
issianne's review against another edition
4.0
Noah vulnerably recounts his childhood and early adulthood in South Africa during and following the apartheid. It made me realize how little I actually knew about the apartheid... He gives an integral look into the social structure of South African society and provides a humorous aspect to it all. The rollercoaster of emotion that comes from Noah's relationship with his mother creates a great structure to the book, and the end will make you want to hold his mother tight and wonder if some of the intense things she said had great merit. Overall, I enjoyed my read and have a great respect for Noah.
alexgoldstein4's review against another edition
4.0
Audiobook. Thought it was really interesting (and funny) but it did drag on in some parts
krumanda's review against another edition
3.0
I think Trevor Noah delivered a great story with a powerful ending.
What I wanted more from the book was a deeper cut, more education about apartheid. I think he touched on some very deep topics but with a very light hand, and being a comedian, always with some kind of joke or good metaphor to lighten it up. I enjoyed his voice as a writer, I enjoyed the stories. I went into this book not expecting to "enjoy" it much, you know, being about such a terrible time in the world. It's a great book and I definitely recommend it. There's so much to unpack.
During the whole book I was waiting for the ending, I needed to know what happened (he mentions it offhand near the beginning and the reader is like "wait, WHAT?! how can you drop that and not tell me about it immediately?!") and got what I wanted at the very end.
Having literally just finished it, I may still need some time to soak it in.
TL;DR
Very fast read. Definitely Recommend. Wanted something more which I can't quite articulate at this time.
What I wanted more from the book was a deeper cut, more education about apartheid. I think he touched on some very deep topics but with a very light hand, and being a comedian, always with some kind of joke or good metaphor to lighten it up. I enjoyed his voice as a writer, I enjoyed the stories. I went into this book not expecting to "enjoy" it much, you know, being about such a terrible time in the world. It's a great book and I definitely recommend it. There's so much to unpack.
During the whole book I was waiting for the ending, I needed to know what happened (he mentions it offhand near the beginning and the reader is like "wait, WHAT?! how can you drop that and not tell me about it immediately?!") and got what I wanted at the very end.
Having literally just finished it, I may still need some time to soak it in.
TL;DR
Very fast read. Definitely Recommend. Wanted something more which I can't quite articulate at this time.
mayatorres's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse