Wow. This book was amazing.

So, I don't read a lot of non-fiction or memoirs. It's just not what I normally gravitate toward. However, I've been wanting to dip my toes into more of these and I really like Trevor Noah. I've of course seen him on the Daily Show, and also several stand-up specials he's done where he speaks relatively openly about his upbringing.

This book expands on that in an incredibly candid way. We learn about the history of South Africa and the disgusting practice of institutionalized racism (Apartheid). We learn about how he was able to navigate this society where he never felt like he belonged because of the circumstance surrounding his birth. And we learn about his amazing relationship with his mother, a woman who is strict, stubborn, determined, loving, devout, and fierce in her convictions.

I loved the way he structured this book. It skips around to different time periods in his life, but it never feels choppy or confusing. There is a really steady pacing and the stories tie back into each other really nicely.

I also loved the tone of this book. There are some truly awful things described in this book. I can't even imagine what it must have been like to actually grow up like this. The fact that he is able to relate these stories in such a straightforward and candid manner while not coming off as dismissive or flippant is very compelling. The intense things are still intense. But for him, that was just the way it was, and the book's tone reflects that very well, in my opinion.

I really loved this book. I feel like I learned something and was also entertained...two of my favorite things about books.