The Daily Show host and comedian tells what it was like growing up poor in South Africa, just before and after apartheid ended. His mother was black and his father a white Swiss/German man, so he kind of fit in nowhere. He knew quite a few tribal languages, as well as English so could find a way to communicate and get along in most situations- except for the one date he had with a girl he couldn’t talk to! – but didn’t really belong anywhere. In fact his very existence was considered criminal because it was against the law at the time for people of different races to marry or even have intimate relationships (police would spy in people’s windows. No kidding). His descriptions of what it was like to flit between all the different groups, to live in the township in poverty, to grow up with a stepfather who gradually became increasingly violent, was so compelling and well-told with a large dose of humor as well. It sounds like his mother was an amazing person, determined to let nothing stand in her way and raise her children well, in spite of all the obstacles and difficulties they faced. The story stops short of telling how he came to the States and became a famous comedian, it’s just about his childhood and teenage years. It is so thoughtful and insightful, especially on topics of racism, inequality, and downright humanity, that I could listen to him talk for hours more. I only wished it had been longer. Some awful things happen, but the way they are told and the way he worked through them, make you only admire the man more.
Borrowed from the public library. This was the best audiobook yet. Hearing Trevor Noah tell his own story was great. He does different voices for all the characters- himself as young boy, his stepfather, his mother, different kids, police, those speaking various South African languages including Afrikaans. His voice made this so enjoyable.