I loved it. I thought he seemed like a genuine human being who endured a lot as a child. He may not have always been perfect, but none of us are, especially as children.
I read a whole lot of books last year and that book stuck with me the most of all the books I read. There are several pages/stories that impacted me quite a bit.
As a bi-racial woman, I relate closely with his perspectives on societal matters.
His comedy is a coping mechanism against systemic issues of racism, and it helps to have that release when faced with realities that often feel surreal.
If you don’t experience life through a similar lens, consider yourself privileged. I thought his Son of Patricia special was real, and hilarious!
@Cindy I’ve never seen anything he’s done-comedy or anything. It was recommended by a friend who loaned it to me so I was like “what the hell, I love to read” and it sounded interesting. I learned a lot.
I just love all of his work though- I was a very big of John stewart (I’m Gen X so John Stewart was a big deal in my day) but I had no idea how much better he would be – as a woman raising a bi-racial son he helps me to keep my privlage in check and have some hope for our future at the same time.
@Cindy I read it and thought, I could not imagine a life experience more different than my own and how remarkable that he’s thrived. I thinks it’s a common mistake not to recognize that it’s impossible to judge by a set of standards so unrelated to his life experience. Based on our country, I came from lower middle class whit America, but that it privileged beyond compare to apartheid South Africa.
I learnt a lot about apartheid from this book. I don’t necessarily listen to his show a lot but he is a good writer and the audio was amazing. One of the best audio books out there in my opinion.
I was so excited when I received as a gift but I started it and had to stop for awhile and haven’t tried to finish it. I thought what I read so far was boring.
I read it and thought it was interesting. I liked it (I do like him as a comedian also). I really liked the perspective of using language as an entry into people’s circle. Not a laugh out loud but I found the story interesting.
I thought it was good but not what I was expecting. It gave insight on some cultures I hadn’t thought about a lot and so that was good….some funny stuff but I thought it would be more so. I learned a lot!
I wasn’t really a follower of his and didn’t know that much about him prior to listening to the audiobook. I enjoyed it quite a bit, especially since it was read by him.
I listened to it and found certain parts redundant. I dont remember specific examples, but there were some random facts he repeated multiple times unnecessarily. Like where a particular person was from, or seeing like that. I seemed to recall Everytime he referred to a particular person in his life, be said where they were from. For example, my best friend, Susie Q, from Austin, TX.
Just an editing detail, but an editing detail that annoyed me.
I’m not a big fan of his, but a lot of that has to do with how much I loved Jon Stewart. Those are big shoes to fill, and I couldn’t bring myself to watch the Daily Show after he left. However, I’ve seen clips here and there, and I didn’t find him particularly funny.
I loved the book and I lived in Apartheid South Africa. We need many more stories about those evil times to be told. Thanks Trevor Noah for telling it as you did.
It was more poignant and acerbic than it was funny. I enjoyed it, but if people are going into the book looking for comedy it’s not really what that book is.
I did read it because we were planning to take our daughter to see him at s nearby casino. Wanted to learn more about him. He lived quite an interesting life. Born to a black woman and white man, he struggled with his race fitting in at school. The show at the casino was postponed due to him being on vocal rest. The new date is 5/10. Looking forward to it.
He is a good storyteller. He loves his mother. He is an intelligent, compassionate man who can see more than one side, and can understand how people are motivated. His characters are 3 dimensional. He has a sense of history, and how he lived through one of the great turning points for his country. He writes well, with some artistry. I like how he planted Easter eggs all through the book, then tied them all together at the end. For example, he starts his story talking about his mother and her obsessive insistence on religion and going to church, and how much that annoyed him. At the end of the book, he describes how her life was spared in a gunfight, apparently by Divine Intervention. The implied message is that his mothers faith was validated, despite Trevor’s dismissal of it. Mom was right.
Another thing, I did my thesis on a development project in South Africa, and those slums in Lesotho and the Townships are some of the most difficult living conditions in the world. He talks about that in terms of what was negative, but also what was positive about that life. Nowadays we see the fame, the tuxedo, the smile, dimples, the British-y accent, but he is also the guy who sold pornography, drugs, and has a police record. He owns all that. I suspect there is another book coming about how he came to the realization that he could change his life. The pain of always being an outsider gave him the strength to walk away, into the unknown. He may not be a “nice guy.” I can’t imagine anyone trying to have a personal relationship with someone so busy and so successful, but he does have something to say. And he says it well.
I’m reading it now and loving it. He has had to face many struggles his entire life. Has a great sense of humor and the way he’s telling his story makes it enjoyable. I’m personally learning a lot about Africa
I enjoyed it, but I also like him.
@Lanie he kind of seems like a bit of a dick though. ?
@Kim Idk if I’d like him in real life, but I think he’s funny and really cute.
Love him and the book
I listened to it twice in the last 6 months. I loved his insights and perspectives. He has lived a very different life than I have.
@Karol absolutely. And I see his point on many things. Still, I’m not sure if I like him.
He did some crazy stuff. I believe he grew up in survival mode, trying to fit in and be accepted and not end up dead.
Not a fan of him, his book, the audio book, or his comedy. I wanted to be after all I heard here, but not my cup of tea.
@Kelly Fair enough. I’ve felt the same about books/authors that others have raved over. It happens ??♀️
Yes, and I loved it. His experience and perspective are so unique.
@Jessica agree on the experience and perspective.
It was fine. The pooping on the newspaper and Hitler dancing bits made it worthwhile.
@Whitney I don’t like that he feels no remorse for setting that house on fire!
I’d forgotten that. Yeah, I suspect he’s not a guy I would like.
I’m listening to the audiobook (my first ever!) and I really enjoy it so far. I’m about halfway through.
I loved the book but I already loved him.
I loved it. I thought he seemed like a genuine human being who endured a lot as a child. He may not have always been perfect, but none of us are, especially as children.
@Melissa Yes, a lot of honesty there!
I really enjoyed the audiobook. His accents are amazing!
Love him! Loved his book!
❤❤ him! I listened to the audiobook, he narrated.
I read a whole lot of books last year and that book stuck with me the most of all the books I read. There are several pages/stories that impacted me quite a bit.
His statement on regret blew me away!
Loved it! What is it about him that you don’t like…or is it the way he writes?
@Kristin I’m not sure yet. I need to mull it over and get back to y’all.
Loved the book. I learned a LOT.
@Sue I did too!
The book totally wasn’t what I was expecting but I absolutely loved it. I think he is just amazing
LOVED IT. If you’d like a visual – here’s a clip from a visit he recorded to his childhood home and with his grandmother.
Yes. I listened to the audio book, and it was my favorite book of last year. Love it! What gives you pause?
It’s a fave on this page. On my TBR list. You can check the search function for some more discussion if interested
As a bi-racial woman, I relate closely with his perspectives on societal matters.
His comedy is a coping mechanism against systemic issues of racism, and it helps to have that release when faced with realities that often feel surreal.
If you don’t experience life through a similar lens, consider yourself privileged. I thought his Son of Patricia special was real, and hilarious!
@Cindy ^^^ all the above and yes to Son of Patricia special
@Cindy I’ve never seen anything he’s done-comedy or anything. It was recommended by a friend who loaned it to me so I was like “what the hell, I love to read” and it sounded interesting. I learned a lot.
@Kim Agreed, and I have not watched his show either, just the special on Netflix.
@Jeneffer Tacos!
@Cindy ?
@Cindy I haven’t even seen that. I’ll have to watch it.
@Jeneffer I turned it on while organizing my daughter’s puzzles, and time flew by!
I just love all of his work though- I was a very big of John stewart (I’m Gen X so John Stewart was a big deal in my day) but I had no idea how much better he would be – as a woman raising a bi-racial son he helps me to keep my privlage in check and have some hope for our future at the same time.
Jeneffer Haslam Huge Jon Stewart fan here too so it took me a good year to warm up to Trevor Noah but I do adore him now.
@Cindy I read it and thought, I could not imagine a life experience more different than my own and how remarkable that he’s thrived. I thinks it’s a common mistake not to recognize that it’s impossible to judge by a set of standards so unrelated to his life experience. Based on our country, I came from lower middle class whit America, but that it privileged beyond compare to apartheid South Africa.
I read it, didn’t love it. I thought it was okay, but I really like his show.
I read and loved it
I didn’t know anything about him when I read it. I totally loved it!
Loved it and love him!
It was a great story to read–enjoyed it, kept me interested to see what happened next!
It’s best on audio. I loved it.
I learnt a lot about apartheid from this book. I don’t necessarily listen to his show a lot but he is a good writer and the audio was amazing. One of the best audio books out there in my opinion.
I was so excited when I received as a gift but I started it and had to stop for awhile and haven’t tried to finish it. I thought what I read so far was boring.
Well, one less woman getting to know my boyfriend. ?
I read it and thought it was interesting. I liked it (I do like him as a comedian also). I really liked the perspective of using language as an entry into people’s circle. Not a laugh out loud but I found the story interesting.
@Sarah I liked the language as entry a great idea as well. I hadn’t thought about it that wAy.
I felt it was more of a memoir/love story to his mom. I loved it!
I thought it was good but not what I was expecting. It gave insight on some cultures I hadn’t thought about a lot and so that was good….some funny stuff but I thought it would be more so. I learned a lot!
I wasn’t really a follower of his and didn’t know that much about him prior to listening to the audiobook. I enjoyed it quite a bit, especially since it was read by him.
Great book!
Love the book!
Loved it and love him! What an interesting insight into his upbringing!
Excellent?
Loved it
I listened it to. I like him 70% of the time and freely similarly about the book
I loved it
If you are worried, he doesn’t hate white people because of apartheid. He does explain the system and shows how it damaged everyone including whites.
I thought it was fantastic. Also, damn he’s SMART. (I love Jon Stewart but he’s not an I-speak-5-languages kind of guy.)
@Kate same! And he’s amazing in person too. We saw him at the Chicago Theatre.
Loved it! Definitely a great one to get on audiobook. Unique childhood growing up in South Africa
I listened to it and found certain parts redundant. I dont remember specific examples, but there were some random facts he repeated multiple times unnecessarily. Like where a particular person was from, or seeing like that. I seemed to recall Everytime he referred to a particular person in his life, be said where they were from. For example, my best friend, Susie Q, from Austin, TX.
Just an editing detail, but an editing detail that annoyed me.
Loved it!! Love him!
Yes and didn’t love it
Slow in, fast out. Worth it.
I loved it.
I’m not a big fan of his, but a lot of that has to do with how much I loved Jon Stewart. Those are big shoes to fill, and I couldn’t bring myself to watch the Daily Show after he left. However, I’ve seen clips here and there, and I didn’t find him particularly funny.
I loved it – a fresh perspective -and after reading his book,I appreciated him on the Daily Show even more…..
My daughter read it for school. She LOVED it – and she learned a lot, too.
I really enjoyed the book and his perspective about growing up in South Africa. I learned a lot.
I love Trevor and loved his book as well.
I listened thought it was great I heard they are making a movie too..
I loved the book and I lived in Apartheid South Africa. We need many more stories about those evil times to be told. Thanks Trevor Noah for telling it as you did.
Just finished it. I liked it and his perspective as it is far different from how I grew up, but I am a fan of his already.
I read it and enjoyed it. Definitely different than what I expected.
Loved it
I liked it a lot.
It was very good!! Funny, thought provoking and poignant. I listened to it on Audible and throughly enjoyed it!
I loved it. I also love him. I listened to it on audible and it is my favorite audiobook to date.
@Jennica I totally agree!
It was more poignant and acerbic than it was funny. I enjoyed it, but if people are going into the book looking for comedy it’s not really what that book is.
Love him and his book
I can’t stay up late enough to watch his show but the book was interesting as I knew so little about life in South Africa. I LOVE his mom!
I loved it!! I listened to the audio book and he was fantastic!
*love* him. I really want to read his book!
I found his life and background very interesting.
I read it before going to South Africa and ansolutely loved it.
Love him. Didn’t care for the stand up or book.
Loved it!
Listened to it on Audible and thought it was fantastic.
I did read it because we were planning to take our daughter to see him at s nearby casino. Wanted to learn more about him. He lived quite an interesting life. Born to a black woman and white man, he struggled with his race fitting in at school. The show at the casino was postponed due to him being on vocal rest. The new date is 5/10. Looking forward to it.
I loved the book, it was funny and really informative. It made me want to learn more about South Africa.
Eh. Some parts were interesting, but as a whole it wasn’t my favorite book. I never even heard of him or watched his show prior to reading the book
He is a good storyteller. He loves his mother. He is an intelligent, compassionate man who can see more than one side, and can understand how people are motivated. His characters are 3 dimensional. He has a sense of history, and how he lived through one of the great turning points for his country. He writes well, with some artistry. I like how he planted Easter eggs all through the book, then tied them all together at the end. For example, he starts his story talking about his mother and her obsessive insistence on religion and going to church, and how much that annoyed him. At the end of the book, he describes how her life was spared in a gunfight, apparently by Divine Intervention. The implied message is that his mothers faith was validated, despite Trevor’s dismissal of it. Mom was right.
@Mary yes exactly!! What a wonderful review of the book
Another thing, I did my thesis on a development project in South Africa, and those slums in Lesotho and the Townships are some of the most difficult living conditions in the world. He talks about that in terms of what was negative, but also what was positive about that life. Nowadays we see the fame, the tuxedo, the smile, dimples, the British-y accent, but he is also the guy who sold pornography, drugs, and has a police record. He owns all that. I suspect there is another book coming about how he came to the realization that he could change his life. The pain of always being an outsider gave him the strength to walk away, into the unknown. He may not be a “nice guy.” I can’t imagine anyone trying to have a personal relationship with someone so busy and so successful, but he does have something to say. And he says it well.
Trevor Noah is articulate, intelligent and compassionate (and funny)>
I enjoyed the book more than expected. I don’t think of him as a writer but I was pleasantly surprised.
Loved it. I listened to it; he is the reader and loved hearing his accent(s).
loved it
I’m reading it now and loving it. He has had to face many struggles his entire life. Has a great sense of humor and the way he’s telling his story makes it enjoyable. I’m personally learning a lot about Africa
I loved it.
Loved it
Love him and his book
I really enjoyed it. What’s your reservation?
@Patricia not sure yet. I’m mulling it over. Which in my opinion is something a good book will do – stay with you and make you think.
@Kim hmmm. Ok