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ld01's review against another edition
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.75
kindredspiritreads's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.75
My in-person book club voted to read Trevor Noah’s book for our celebrity memoir month.
As the subtitle, Stories from a South African Childhood suggests, this memoir focuses heavily on Trevor’s childhood and teenage years and doesn’t really delve into his career. Trevor was born to a white father and a black mother at a time when such a union was illegal. Even with the end of apartheid and the abolishing of the law that made his parents’ act illegal, Trevor still struggled to figure out where he belonged in a society whose racial groups he didn’t neatly fit into. His relationship with his mother is also a large focus of his story as he shares the adventures they’d go on together and the pranks he would pull and then be punished for.
I don’t love to rate memoirs, and I’m not really familiar with Trevor’s career, but I raced through his book very quickly. There was a great balance between the comedic moments of his childhood and the seriousness of some of the trials he and his mom endured. I also learned so much about apartheid, a period of time that I, admittedly, didn’t know a lot about. Learning about apartheid through the firsthand experiences of Trevor and his mother as well as his reflections on that time as an adult, left a lasting impression. My only complaint about the book is that, at times, I found it difficult to discern what age he was in a chapter because it was not structured chronologically. Overall, I highly recommend this book!
mike_onofrio21's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
cjordan94's review against another edition
funny
inspiring
medium-paced
5.0
Listen to it being read.
nneka23's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
4.25
merilyn_ohtla's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
fast-paced
4.75
Trevor Noah's "Born a Crime" is a comedic masterpiece that not only tickles your funny bone but also leaves an indelible mark on your soul. With wit as sharp as a South African safari guide's machete, Noah takes us on a rollercoaster ride through his unconventional upbringing in apartheid-era South Africa.
What makes "Born a Crime" truly remarkable is Noah's ability to infuse humour into even the most harrowing tales. But it's not just Noah's wit that shines; it's also his effortless prose that makes "Born a Crime" a joy to read. Whether he's recounting his misadventures with his mother or reflecting on the deeper issues of identity and belonging, Noah's words are like a warm embrace, inviting you into his world with open arms.
What truly sets "Born a Crime" apart, however, is its memorability. With its wit, easy readability, and memorable anecdotes, it's a book that will stay with you long after you've finished reading. So do yourself a favour and dive into Trevor Noah's world—you won't regret it.
sam2085's review against another edition
4.0
A quick read for a slow reader like me. The author’s account of growing up in apartheid and post-apartheid/democratic South Africa is riveting. As an outsider to all official racial groups, Noah developed a sense of humor and relays an insider’s perspective on the madness of apartheid. Some of his most thought-provoking observations arrive when he discusses how society functions with 11 official languages (hilarity often ensues). Highly recommended as an introduction to South African studies.