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Squat
Australia's most intrepid Jew finds out just how precarious identity can be.
'This house is freaking me out. It's bad for me. But I'm finishing this.'
Discovering Kanye West is praising Adolf Hitler, John Safran heads to America to find out what's up. Kanye proves elusive, one thing tumbles into another, and John packs his duffle bags and moves in, squatting at one of Kanye's mansions in the rolling hills of Los Angeles.
Will the neighbours get wise and snitch to the cops? Are the creatures in the woods behind the mansion a worry? Will Kanye return? More paranoid each day, John becomes convinced the house itself is turning against him.
Alone with his thoughts in Kanye's haunt, John finds himself asking where he fits into the world as a Jew. Dangerous and hilarious, Squat examines just how precarious identity and belonging can be.
'This house is freaking me out. It's bad for me. But I'm finishing this.'
Discovering Kanye West is praising Adolf Hitler, John Safran heads to America to find out what's up. Kanye proves elusive, one thing tumbles into another, and John packs his duffle bags and moves in, squatting at one of Kanye's mansions in the rolling hills of Los Angeles.
Will the neighbours get wise and snitch to the cops? Are the creatures in the woods behind the mansion a worry? Will Kanye return? More paranoid each day, John becomes convinced the house itself is turning against him.
Alone with his thoughts in Kanye's haunt, John finds himself asking where he fits into the world as a Jew. Dangerous and hilarious, Squat examines just how precarious identity and belonging can be.
320 pages, Paperback
Published October 22, 2024
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370 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews
October 26, 2024
Safran fails again! Get this: he has a book about Kanye—with no Kanye! - Hommusman.
November 22, 2024
So I’m only half way through and COMPELLED to review early- this is one of the wildest stories I’ve ever heard. At NO point have I been able to predict what is coming. I have no idea how this book is going to end (the squatting in Kanye’s creepy blue abandoned mansion bit- the book begins in the present). I know of John Safran as more of a journalist/media personality in Australia. Like Australia’s Louis Theroux. I haven’t read any of his other books and will be immediately reading everything. But… THIS BOOK. Ten stars. I never want it to end. Highly recommend the Audible version narrated by the author- he is a BORN storyteller.
January 7, 2025
After American rapper Kanye West tweeted his intention to go "death con 3 on the Jewish people," humorous journalist John Safran flew to the USA, wanting to ask West some follow-up questions. Unable to find West, Safran instead broke into one of Kanye's abandoned homes and lived there for a week, trying to get inside the hip-hop star's head.
Squat is really two books smooshed together, and one of them is really good. As he wanders around the US, Safran finds a colourful bunch of rappers, rabbis and rascals to interview, including a homeless guy who was offered the position of West's campaign manager (in a typically eccentric outburst at the VMA awards, West announced his intention to run for President).
In these sections, Safran's musings on what it means to be a secular Australian Jew in 2024 are insightful and (for me) educational. Anyone who enjoyed Safran's previous books will enjoy them.
The other book, the one about Safran squatting in Kanye's house, is merely OK. Safran's gift is his willingness to ask difficult questions of dangerous people, and in the mansion (spoiler warning) there's no-one for him to talk to. He tries to keep things interesting by repeatedly putting his own life in unnecessary danger, climbing on things that shouldn't be climbed, walking around barefoot on broken glass like John McClane because he "forgot" his socks, and so forth. He also "forgets" his medication. (Not sure I buy that, Saffo.) But ultimately, Safran doesn't have much to show for all the crimes he committed (which include not only breaking and entering, but also vandalism and theft). His reflections on the ethics of his investigation never get far beyond "maybe this is unethical".
Prior to reading this book, the only thing I knew about Kanye West was that he had bipolar disorder. This goes some way towards explaining (though perhaps not excusing) his history of erratic behaviour and bigoted outbursts. As at least one Britney Spears fan has noted, if Kanye West was a woman, he would have a conservatorship by now. The story of a (by most accounts) brilliant musician with a tenuous grip on reality getting exploited and radicalised would be an interesting one, but Safran refuses to tell it, instead searching futilely for method amidst Kanye's madness. Suspiciously, Squat doesn't include any references to West's illness. Perhaps Safran guessed it would seem like punching down to break into the home and steal the belongings of a guy whose illness had cost him his marriage and most of his wealth. Then again, I might feel differently if I belonged to one of the groups that West had threatened, or if he'd stolen a microphone from me at an award ceremony. Either way, Squat was unputdownable.
Squat is really two books smooshed together, and one of them is really good. As he wanders around the US, Safran finds a colourful bunch of rappers, rabbis and rascals to interview, including a homeless guy who was offered the position of West's campaign manager (in a typically eccentric outburst at the VMA awards, West announced his intention to run for President).
In these sections, Safran's musings on what it means to be a secular Australian Jew in 2024 are insightful and (for me) educational. Anyone who enjoyed Safran's previous books will enjoy them.
The other book, the one about Safran squatting in Kanye's house, is merely OK. Safran's gift is his willingness to ask difficult questions of dangerous people, and in the mansion (spoiler warning) there's no-one for him to talk to. He tries to keep things interesting by repeatedly putting his own life in unnecessary danger, climbing on things that shouldn't be climbed, walking around barefoot on broken glass like John McClane because he "forgot" his socks, and so forth. He also "forgets" his medication. (Not sure I buy that, Saffo.) But ultimately, Safran doesn't have much to show for all the crimes he committed (which include not only breaking and entering, but also vandalism and theft). His reflections on the ethics of his investigation never get far beyond "maybe this is unethical".
Prior to reading this book, the only thing I knew about Kanye West was that he had bipolar disorder. This goes some way towards explaining (though perhaps not excusing) his history of erratic behaviour and bigoted outbursts. As at least one Britney Spears fan has noted, if Kanye West was a woman, he would have a conservatorship by now. The story of a (by most accounts) brilliant musician with a tenuous grip on reality getting exploited and radicalised would be an interesting one, but Safran refuses to tell it, instead searching futilely for method amidst Kanye's madness. Suspiciously, Squat doesn't include any references to West's illness. Perhaps Safran guessed it would seem like punching down to break into the home and steal the belongings of a guy whose illness had cost him his marriage and most of his wealth. Then again, I might feel differently if I belonged to one of the groups that West had threatened, or if he'd stolen a microphone from me at an award ceremony. Either way, Squat was unputdownable.
December 27, 2024
I wanted to like this!
Kanye’s pivot to Nazism remains one of the most disappointing and infuriating things I’ve experienced in pop culture. While he had a lot of initial backlash and lost a lot of money, it does feel like people moved on and nobody cares anymore. CARNIVAL, one of the worst songs ever made, went to #1 on the billboard hot 100 in 2024. Kanye managing to weather that storm deserves analysis.
This book isn’t that, which is fine. This book is mostly about John Safran self-actualising about his own Jewish identity as an Australian, with the Kanye stuff as a set piece. It never really comes together, though, in a way that disappointed me. John Safran was not particularly familiar with Kanye before the book, and he never really works out what the purpose of tying this self actualising journey to him is. He manages to uncover a severe disconnect between himself and White Australia (specifically progressive movements) and it’s a well written moment, especially as just this month antisemitic attacks in Australia are on the rise.
My problem is mostly that I think it’s a bit too meta for me. I had not heard of John Safran before the book, and maybe that’s what I’m missing. Throughout the story John wishes for bad or exciting things to happen, specifically because they’d be “good for the book”. He frames this as being a writer breaking his brain, but it also serves to kind of lampshade that none of this is that interesting. It’s not interesting to ask Matt Stone from South Park what’s up with Kanye. There’s no point in bringing up Palestine over and over when you’re consciously avoiding having a take on the current mass death occurring in Gaza. In the final chapters of the book, Safran is still trying to work out what the point is. I guess it ends up being a cool writers retreat to get the creative juices flowing, and that’s all it is.
There’s other stuff in the book I liked. The interview with the guy from Public Enemy is well written and enlightening, and John Safran is a talented writer. Possibly good for people who already like him, but as an introduction point it kind of flopped for me.
If you want a great book about someone investigating a former media darling’s pivot to right wing conspiracy theories, in a story that eventually expands to considering the author’s place as a Jewish person in modern society, I’d recommend Doppelgänger by Naomi Klein
Kanye’s pivot to Nazism remains one of the most disappointing and infuriating things I’ve experienced in pop culture. While he had a lot of initial backlash and lost a lot of money, it does feel like people moved on and nobody cares anymore. CARNIVAL, one of the worst songs ever made, went to #1 on the billboard hot 100 in 2024. Kanye managing to weather that storm deserves analysis.
This book isn’t that, which is fine. This book is mostly about John Safran self-actualising about his own Jewish identity as an Australian, with the Kanye stuff as a set piece. It never really comes together, though, in a way that disappointed me. John Safran was not particularly familiar with Kanye before the book, and he never really works out what the purpose of tying this self actualising journey to him is. He manages to uncover a severe disconnect between himself and White Australia (specifically progressive movements) and it’s a well written moment, especially as just this month antisemitic attacks in Australia are on the rise.
My problem is mostly that I think it’s a bit too meta for me. I had not heard of John Safran before the book, and maybe that’s what I’m missing. Throughout the story John wishes for bad or exciting things to happen, specifically because they’d be “good for the book”. He frames this as being a writer breaking his brain, but it also serves to kind of lampshade that none of this is that interesting. It’s not interesting to ask Matt Stone from South Park what’s up with Kanye. There’s no point in bringing up Palestine over and over when you’re consciously avoiding having a take on the current mass death occurring in Gaza. In the final chapters of the book, Safran is still trying to work out what the point is. I guess it ends up being a cool writers retreat to get the creative juices flowing, and that’s all it is.
There’s other stuff in the book I liked. The interview with the guy from Public Enemy is well written and enlightening, and John Safran is a talented writer. Possibly good for people who already like him, but as an introduction point it kind of flopped for me.
If you want a great book about someone investigating a former media darling’s pivot to right wing conspiracy theories, in a story that eventually expands to considering the author’s place as a Jewish person in modern society, I’d recommend Doppelgänger by Naomi Klein
October 28, 2024
Unbelievably good- couldn’t stop reading it!! This has to be my favourite of all John Safrans books. Brilliantly written - so much depth and I loved it so much. Hummus man is full of sh*t- Safran wins again with an enthralling twisted journey that had me hooked from the first page
November 8, 2024
This was an illuminating exploration of anti-semitism and other confronting and problematic schools of thought. I’m both impressed and slightly horrified by the author’s nerve and gumption to trespass onto properties (including the belly of the beast, Ye’s mansion). Without a doubt, his findings were intriguing and hard to look away from, even though it felt wrong to be witnessing them. The subject matter of the book was interesting indeed but I found some of those featured in the book to be just too reprehensible (see the proud boy guy, amongst others) and wondered whether the platforming of their horrible views was really beneficial to anyone and maybe kind of ironic since the whole project was in response to the negative impact of Ye’s toxic influence? This is probably a personal preference. I also felt the book didn’t really have a resolution and sort of meandered through the author’s meetings with people and the madness of the house squatting without a neat ending.
Safran is a talented storyteller, and the audiobook was an entertaining listen. I deducted a star because he mis-pronounced Ye’s name as YEE not YAY for the entire book and it irritated me to no end. How did no one catch this?!
In any case, kudos to Safran for seeing this mad adventure through and having the gall to publish it.
Safran is a talented storyteller, and the audiobook was an entertaining listen. I deducted a star because he mis-pronounced Ye’s name as YEE not YAY for the entire book and it irritated me to no end. How did no one catch this?!
In any case, kudos to Safran for seeing this mad adventure through and having the gall to publish it.
November 6, 2024
I am a sucker for a John Safran book and this was no exception.
This was a completely wild ride and I have found myself recommending it to so many people. John comes across as brave, scared, smart, dumb, a loner and a romantic all at the same time!
This was a completely wild ride and I have found myself recommending it to so many people. John comes across as brave, scared, smart, dumb, a loner and a romantic all at the same time!
October 28, 2024
John Safran embarks on a wild, obsessive journey to understand Kanye West and his controversial, anti-Semitic remarks. Driven by a blend of humor, curiosity, and his own complex Jewish identity, Safran delves into Kanye’s worldview, eager to uncover what drives the rapper’s hostility toward the Jews. Safran’s relentless compulsion to question and investigate puts him in precarious, often bizarre situations, as he pushes boundaries like a war journalist on a mission. This dogged pursuit reflects his audacious personality and a mind almost as unhinged as those he explores. Through his unfiltered perspective, Safran brings sharp, often uncomfortable insights into questions of identity, prejudice, and belonging.
Thanks John.
Thanks John.
November 28, 2024
I challenge you to read this book without having Safran’s voice a la Music Jamboree in your head.
November 17, 2024
John Safran once tracked down a bad Amazon review to the partner of an extended family member and called them up to ask them why.
Could have been a five star read but in a time of genocide, a look into antisemitism could have done more in solidarity. I am assuming solidarity from context and past work but honestly I don’t mind being left without a shadow of a doubt. But plz don’t call me John cos I was hanging on your every word otherwise.
Could have been a five star read but in a time of genocide, a look into antisemitism could have done more in solidarity. I am assuming solidarity from context and past work but honestly I don’t mind being left without a shadow of a doubt. But plz don’t call me John cos I was hanging on your every word otherwise.
November 13, 2024
Hilarious, clever, and thought-provoking.
January 1, 2025
Underwhelming fun
January 2, 2025
I have always enjoyed John Safran’s work and even though he was partly responsible for me being needlessly being put on anti-psychotics when the on-duty psychiatrist at a major hospital did not believe we knew each other “what’s a little agony between friends” (due to national security reasons I cannot really go into the initiating incident).
I have known him early 2000s when he was doing RRR Breakfasters and saw him filming something for John Safran’s Music Jamboree near my work as the production office is close by. Due to him making a comment at the Breakfasters end of year show at the St Kilda bowlo and me posting another comment I ended up filming a pick up for John Safran vs God in early 2004. We have sort of kept in touch since then, at least he says hello when I see him. RRR hosts know when I SMS them at least Tim Thorpe does. The Breakfasters refused to read out one of my messages on air, was a the “vaping during sex” one.
As I said to him at the Breakfasters end of year show the other week at the end of 2024 I am a couple of books behind on his releases but I doubt he has read any of my work either! It does too count if they are in the State Library of Victoria for “legal deposit” reasons. The library did actually buy one of them.
I have always found his books eminently readable and more like the outline of a screenplay than a “proper” book, showing you do not have to write books just the one way. I can’t really think when I have read a book so quickly that was not a graphic novel since Tomorrow When the War Began which you can sit down and read in one go. I even took to reading this on the train which I had stopped doing due to the Werribee line being so bumpy.
I reject the premise that the book “fails” as he did not actually get to meet Kayne, that wasn’t the point of it. You can still get a sense of a person the way they influence the people around them. “Moonface” has to deal with a lot of people trying to threaten Kayne and also keep the man himself in check so they would have very short patience for any nonsense. Believe you me my patience has buggered off to the pub after 5 years in customer service phone support.
Not too much name-dropping in this one but as John is in Los Angeles it makes sense he would have just come across these people or had connections to others. I liked the part where his partner goes off with the Pastor and leaves him the compound. I would like to hear what she thought of him bashing on the wall at the church.
Well worth your time if you have even a passing interest in the cultural impact of Kayne West and want something more behind it as it does go more into the effects of his pronouncements have on other people.
I have known him early 2000s when he was doing RRR Breakfasters and saw him filming something for John Safran’s Music Jamboree near my work as the production office is close by. Due to him making a comment at the Breakfasters end of year show at the St Kilda bowlo and me posting another comment I ended up filming a pick up for John Safran vs God in early 2004. We have sort of kept in touch since then, at least he says hello when I see him. RRR hosts know when I SMS them at least Tim Thorpe does. The Breakfasters refused to read out one of my messages on air, was a the “vaping during sex” one.
As I said to him at the Breakfasters end of year show the other week at the end of 2024 I am a couple of books behind on his releases but I doubt he has read any of my work either! It does too count if they are in the State Library of Victoria for “legal deposit” reasons. The library did actually buy one of them.
I have always found his books eminently readable and more like the outline of a screenplay than a “proper” book, showing you do not have to write books just the one way. I can’t really think when I have read a book so quickly that was not a graphic novel since Tomorrow When the War Began which you can sit down and read in one go. I even took to reading this on the train which I had stopped doing due to the Werribee line being so bumpy.
I reject the premise that the book “fails” as he did not actually get to meet Kayne, that wasn’t the point of it. You can still get a sense of a person the way they influence the people around them. “Moonface” has to deal with a lot of people trying to threaten Kayne and also keep the man himself in check so they would have very short patience for any nonsense. Believe you me my patience has buggered off to the pub after 5 years in customer service phone support.
Not too much name-dropping in this one but as John is in Los Angeles it makes sense he would have just come across these people or had connections to others. I liked the part where his partner goes off with the Pastor and leaves him the compound. I would like to hear what she thought of him bashing on the wall at the church.
Well worth your time if you have even a passing interest in the cultural impact of Kayne West and want something more behind it as it does go more into the effects of his pronouncements have on other people.
May 8, 2025
Many chortles and more than one guffaw. I particularly liked John as a unit of measure ie 2 Safran’s long.
Also enlightening!
3.5 stars
Also enlightening!
3.5 stars
March 2, 2025
Shoutout John Safran! I’ve been fighting for my life trying to read a book but have been so busy and preoccupied for the last few weeks. This was perfect to plow through!
John literally goes and squats at Kanye Wests mansion in LA for a week. He’s also Aussie from Melbourne so respect.
This book is funny and I certainly recommend it. It wasn’t life altering but I do think it’s worth the read. I always thought that I knew that Kanye west was bat shit crazy but he is actually next level. So is America as a whole. I haven’t had much thought on what it must be like to navigate life as a Jew in general and at the moment so also it was interesting to read in that respect. I liked the story. You should read it. I reckon the audiobook would be lit cos he narrates it!
John literally goes and squats at Kanye Wests mansion in LA for a week. He’s also Aussie from Melbourne so respect.
This book is funny and I certainly recommend it. It wasn’t life altering but I do think it’s worth the read. I always thought that I knew that Kanye west was bat shit crazy but he is actually next level. So is America as a whole. I haven’t had much thought on what it must be like to navigate life as a Jew in general and at the moment so also it was interesting to read in that respect. I liked the story. You should read it. I reckon the audiobook would be lit cos he narrates it!
November 14, 2024
Ultimately, this is a book about antisemitism and identity...and it's also about Kanye. It's a wild and bizarre ride down a creepy rabbit hole. John Safran is hilarious and knows how to spin a yarn. Thoroughly enjoyed, listened to audiobook narrated by author. Laughed out loud many times.
January 12, 2025
My goodness he's wild haha
November 15, 2024
Loved this so much. Listened to the audio book with John reading it (a must by the way) and gawfuffed (?) all the way through. Certainly left no stone unturned. I wonder if Kanye has read this?
January 26, 2025
What a delight- fantastic work John! This left me nostalgic and entertained. Good mix
February 4, 2025
Relatable writing style and good insight if you are interested in religious themes and Kanye west lol
November 15, 2024
Listened to the audio, love John’s voice. Brilliant book. Wish I could see photos of it all, especially the Holocaust monkeys (although I have in my mind thanks to John’s wonderful descriptions).
4.5 ⭐️
4.5 ⭐️
December 26, 2024
I’ve read and really enjoyed a few of Safran’s books - exploring the weird and wonderful world of the outsiders and the fringes. This book is a little different and takes a big swing at Kanye, his popular beliefs about Judaism and anti-semitism generally.
Unfortunately I struggled to find coherence in the book - maybe it was the audiobook format, maybe it’s my own understanding of the topics, but this felt like an underdeveloped book of good ideas that don’t really interact in a way that makes sense to me. Is that the point? Maybe the concept got in the way of communicating good ideas.
There’s interesting ideas to connect with - and it is genuinely funny and thought provoking at times. I just can’t help but wonder if this just needed more of a linear structure to make the ideas speak for themselves, as opposed to jumping around between interactions and different times and places.
Unfortunately I struggled to find coherence in the book - maybe it was the audiobook format, maybe it’s my own understanding of the topics, but this felt like an underdeveloped book of good ideas that don’t really interact in a way that makes sense to me. Is that the point? Maybe the concept got in the way of communicating good ideas.
There’s interesting ideas to connect with - and it is genuinely funny and thought provoking at times. I just can’t help but wonder if this just needed more of a linear structure to make the ideas speak for themselves, as opposed to jumping around between interactions and different times and places.
February 2, 2025
A good laugh. Clever, insightful and timely. He takes risks, sticks his neck out and reveals some of the madness behind the Kanye West enigma
December 4, 2024
Interesting commentary on religion, hip-hop, and breaking and entering in the usual Safran manor.
June 18, 2025
Easy read. Interesting read. Even more interesting given Ye's new drop. Will probably check Safran's show out at Darwin Festi after this. 🎤🕍✡️
August 20, 2025
An enjoyable fever dream, punctuated with short chapters helping the book to get you on board with the paranoia and anxiety of squatting in Kanye's mansion.
I really liked the format, my favourite part was the tracking down of the Hummus Man.
Well worth a read.
I really liked the format, my favourite part was the tracking down of the Hummus Man.
Well worth a read.
October 26, 2024
Safran fails again! Get this: he has a book about Kanye—with no Kanye! - Hommusman.
November 10, 2024
Hilarious, unsettling. Another Safran trainwreck from which I could not look away. An insightful and at times confronting examination of identity and belonging.
December 19, 2024
John saffran heads over to try and meet Kayne West aka Ye to understand what West is on about with his anti-semitic remarks.
He squats in ye’s old pad and meets some interesting characters & does lots of introspection.
The book reminded me in some ways of that series ‘lost’; there’s the constant carrot of ‘the big reveal’ or finding something … which almost always results in not much happening.
It was interesting reading this book shortly after ‘sapiens’; which discusses the myths and made up beliefs we have.
When hearing the views of the people who want to hate others because of this particular passage in the bible or something i thought of john lennon’s ‘imagine’. Imagine if human beings could just love others without dividing them up based on this or that.
I am generally a fan of saffran but this book lacked enough interesting events to sustain it.
He squats in ye’s old pad and meets some interesting characters & does lots of introspection.
The book reminded me in some ways of that series ‘lost’; there’s the constant carrot of ‘the big reveal’ or finding something … which almost always results in not much happening.
It was interesting reading this book shortly after ‘sapiens’; which discusses the myths and made up beliefs we have.
When hearing the views of the people who want to hate others because of this particular passage in the bible or something i thought of john lennon’s ‘imagine’. Imagine if human beings could just love others without dividing them up based on this or that.
I am generally a fan of saffran but this book lacked enough interesting events to sustain it.
September 6, 2025
I’ve always liked John Safran. He’s good at making fun of religion in ways that even I, a religious person laugh at. Safran has this ability to deprecate himself twice as much as the person he is interviewing and presenting to you: even if that person smells of wee and has questionable motives and sanity. Safran is someone who is delighted and fascinated with people in all their complex eccentricities. He sees the humour in every situation and is utterly fearless. There’s a kind of shameless journalist/writer drive to draw out any oddity he could use to entertain, but it’s void of any cheap shots against people. There’s a deep humanity and willingness to see people as they are.
Safran has put his finger on the growing movement of casual anti-semitism without even blaming or finger pointing. It’s a kind of dark but somehow relentlessly hopeful tone that made me keep reading through the painful and awkward parts. Thanks John. Keep writing them pls.
Safran has put his finger on the growing movement of casual anti-semitism without even blaming or finger pointing. It’s a kind of dark but somehow relentlessly hopeful tone that made me keep reading through the painful and awkward parts. Thanks John. Keep writing them pls.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews