When I started reading this book I remember thinking, “this could be a fictional comedy inspired by real life events”. Personally, it was hard for me to read because I felt it was a tad bit exaggerated. I realized though that reading comedy is not my cup of tea, however, I might have enjoyed “Go Hitler!” more than I should have.
I did not particularly love the book nor do I dislike it. It is the sort of book that you read, laugh and put down; and get back to when you need to laugh again. The title befits the book as Trevor begins with how his conception had been criminal in the time that he was born. I’ve got to give it up to Trevor though because he maintained his voice and his humor in telling his story. Now, I do not know how it feels like to have been born and live under the apartheid regime, but there were so many things in Trevor Noah’s book that are similar to stories of people that lived through that time. I appreciate that Trevor took us for a walk in his life, dabbling through ethnic groups and sometimes being on the run from the law, or just mainly playing into the stereotype of the coloured gangster.
What I personally loved about this book though, or rather who; Patricia Nombuyiselo Noah, Trevor’s mom made this book for me. Her characteristics resemble many black women in my community; devoted christian, breadwinner, pillar of strength, bearer of wisdom and nurturing. The final chapter of the book, which covers her life was the most relatable for me. I too grew up in a similar household were violence was prevalent, I too understand how it is hard to step out of a situation as a victim, I understood when she said “I cannot leave him, he will kill us”, I knew, know and experienced men like Trevor’s step dad. Until this day, I fear of these men. I also know what it is like to be Trevor’s brother. I love how she was there assuring her kids that she was okay even after being shot. I especially love the fact that she always sees the brighter side, and she maintained her sense of humor. I mean, Jesus is her medical aid LOL.
Notable quotes:
The world doesn’t love you. If the police get you, the police don’t love you. When I beat you, I’m trying to save you. When they beat you, they’re trying to kill you.
We tell people to follow their dreams, but you can only dream of what you can imagine, and, depending on where you come from, your imagination can be quite limited.
People love to say, “Give a man a fish, and he’ll eat for a day. Teach a man to fish, and he’ll eat for a lifetime.” What they don’t say is, “And it would be nice if you gave him a fishing rod.” That’s the part of the analogy that’s missing.
If you’re Native American and you pray to the wolves, you’re a savage. If you’re African and you pray to your ancestors, you’re a primitive. But when white people pray to a guy who turns water into wine, well, that’s just common sense.