Reviews

Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood by Trevor Noah

kairaliberto's review against another edition

Go to review page

informative inspiring medium-paced

5.0

boyfouronetwo's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

I enjoyed this book very much. It made me want to learn more about South African history. My only complaint about this book is it’s cadence. He kept shifting back and forth between different times of his life, and the ending was a bit abrupt. Good book though, and he narrates the story very well if you’re into audio books.

hilary_weckstein's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

Normally I prefer reading but I recommend listening to this one. The story comes alive so much more in his voice and with his comedic timing.

terrym10's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

I have never seen Trevor Noah except for in an episode of Jerry Seinfeld’s show, Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee. I can tell you that you do not need to know who he is to enjoy this book. Interestingly, it doesn’t go into him becoming a comedian at all, which gives me hope that he’ll write an additional memoir down the road. I hope so, I’m looking forward to it!

katpower69's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional funny informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

3.25

jess_mango's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

BOOK RIOT READ HARDER CHALLENGE 2018 - fulfills #12: A celebrity memoir

This was the February pick for my book club. I enjoyed reading about Trevor Noah's experiences growing up in South Africa. It was also interesting to me that I read this one right after I finished Katherine Boo's Behind the Beautiful Forevers, which was about individuals living in poverty in the slums of Mumbai, India. There is a lot to compare and contrast between these two books. Both tell of a segment of society living in poverty where there are frequent activities outside or just outside the law. As expected, there were definitely more issues of race brought up in Born a Crime. Noah was born from a black mother and a white father before the end of apartheid and though he would've been classified as "colored" by the apartheid system, he didn't feel as if that was where he naturally fit.

caliseales's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad fast-paced

4.5

seymone's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

Wow!
Amazing memoir.

bisonprints's review against another edition

Go to review page

funny hopeful informative reflective medium-paced

5.0


Expand filter menu Content Warnings

hollyxbear's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

This book was astounding. I have never really learned much about South Africa and the apartheid. I always thought it was backwards and weird. The only information we as a nation got about South Africa was Nelson Mandela and his freedom. This book really helped me open my eyes to the way of life in South Africa and the atrocities that occurred during apartheid. I am so glad to have won this book in a Goodreads giveaway.