bigga's review against another edition
4.0
Jafnvígur á þyngd og léttleika. Skemmtileg og upplýsandi. mæli með
ajsterkel's review against another edition
5.0
I’m a massive fan of Trevor Noah’s comedy shows. As soon as I learned about this book’s existence, I knew I had to read it. Then it took me years to actually pick it up because I’m a terrible person who has too many books.
This memoir is brilliant. Each chapter reads like a short story / essay about an incident from Trevor Noah’s childhood. I’m not entirely sure how he survived to adulthood. Between South Africa’s cruel laws and the trouble he brings on himself, he shouldn’t be alive.
This book is both accessible and insightful. I learned about South Africa in school, but this book made it real for me. You feel like you’re there with the author while he’s being thrown out of a moving car or (accidentally) burning down a white family’s home. While you’re reading about the author’s personal experiences, you’re also learning about South Africa’s history, culture, and flawed legal system. It’s a compelling book.
Even if you’ve never seen Trevor Noah’s comedy shows, you should read this book. I promise you’ll be entertained while learning a lot.
Do you like opinions, giveaways, and bookish nonsense?
I have a blog for that.
This memoir is brilliant. Each chapter reads like a short story / essay about an incident from Trevor Noah’s childhood. I’m not entirely sure how he survived to adulthood. Between South Africa’s cruel laws and the trouble he brings on himself, he shouldn’t be alive.
This book is both accessible and insightful. I learned about South Africa in school, but this book made it real for me. You feel like you’re there with the author while he’s being thrown out of a moving car or (accidentally) burning down a white family’s home. While you’re reading about the author’s personal experiences, you’re also learning about South Africa’s history, culture, and flawed legal system. It’s a compelling book.
Even if you’ve never seen Trevor Noah’s comedy shows, you should read this book. I promise you’ll be entertained while learning a lot.
Do you like opinions, giveaways, and bookish nonsense?
I have a blog for that.
samatya's review against another edition
5.0
Trevor Noah's story is simply amazing. His retelling is honest and entertaining. Great read.
tanyagold's review against another edition
4.0
A fascinating series of interconnected stories about growing up biracial in South Africa during and post-apartheid.
lindsnest13's review against another edition
5.0
8/31/18: Just as incredible the second time! Easily my favorite audiobook I’ve ever listened to.
4/19/17: I went into this expecting a funny life story given Trevor Noah's day job, but instead found an intense and important recounting of the end of apartheid and the times that followed. Such thoughtful words about his dealings with poverty and racism and failure and loss, and about the endless hope and faith of his mother and the lessons of love and courage she taught him.
I haven't read many memoirs, but this made me want to read more. Highly recommend listening to the audiobook - hearing Trevor Noah read his own words makes it so real, like hearing a friend tell you their life story. I loved this.
4/19/17: I went into this expecting a funny life story given Trevor Noah's day job, but instead found an intense and important recounting of the end of apartheid and the times that followed. Such thoughtful words about his dealings with poverty and racism and failure and loss, and about the endless hope and faith of his mother and the lessons of love and courage she taught him.
I haven't read many memoirs, but this made me want to read more. Highly recommend listening to the audiobook - hearing Trevor Noah read his own words makes it so real, like hearing a friend tell you their life story. I loved this.
alliemyers's review against another edition
So good. If you’re able to listen to the audiobook version definitely do so.
lookatmybookshelf's review against another edition
5.0
What's not to love about Trevor Noah? He has charm, brains, and humour. This story about Noah's upbringing will only leave you loving him so much more. He truly has you addicted to this memior with his wit and powerful storytelling. Noah's power in his writing and telling is truly magnetic.
Although I'm usually much more of a fictional reader, I couldn't resist reading this memior. Especially after seeing all the great reviews. A part of me wishes I would have experienced the Audiobook instead of reading the physical copy myself.
There's no way this book canr eceive anything less than 5 stars.
You'll find youreself laughing through some of the most heartbreaking stories as Noah manages to make you feel so moved with the jokes and reality of his upbringing.
Although I'm usually much more of a fictional reader, I couldn't resist reading this memior. Especially after seeing all the great reviews. A part of me wishes I would have experienced the Audiobook instead of reading the physical copy myself.
There's no way this book canr eceive anything less than 5 stars.
You'll find youreself laughing through some of the most heartbreaking stories as Noah manages to make you feel so moved with the jokes and reality of his upbringing.
mhuntone's review against another edition
5.0
Listened to this on audio and loved, loved, LOVED this book. I always enjoy when an author reads their own bok, especially when it's a memoir like this one- to be able to get his tone and emotion in with his writing, is incredible. It's no surprise the host of The Daily Show makes the most of his performance, in an affable, genuine way. What an incredible story, not only telling tales from his old childhood but also defty covering history and culture in the politics and people of South Africa in the apartheid and post-apartheid era. I learned so much more about South Africa and apartheid from this book than any of the history taught in school. Above all, what a wonderful tribute to his mother. As the child of a single Mom, I could relate to so many of his stories of 'us against the world'. Fitting to wrap this up around Mother's Day. Moms really are superheroes, as my Mom as, just as Trevor's Mom is.
80ng5's review against another edition
4.0
Awesome book, very informative about so much more than what you expect to learn from it. I've been a Trevor fan for what he's been doing for the longest time but now I'm a fan of who he is.