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blurrypetals's review against another edition
5.0
"Truth is stranger than fiction, but it is because Fiction is obliged to stick to possibilities; Truth isn't." - Mark Twain
I feel like Trevor Noah's life embodies and proves that quote true. He's an incredible human being who has thus far lived an incredible life that is so crazy, funny, heartbreaking that it feels like it's made up, but it isn't.
I loved this book. It was great, almost as great as the man who wrote it and the mother who raised him.
I feel like Trevor Noah's life embodies and proves that quote true. He's an incredible human being who has thus far lived an incredible life that is so crazy, funny, heartbreaking that it feels like it's made up, but it isn't.
I loved this book. It was great, almost as great as the man who wrote it and the mother who raised him.
reality_x's review against another edition
5.0
This book has the power to make you laugh while reading, upset after you think about it more in the shower.
tamanda94's review against another edition
5.0
This is my favourite book of the year so far!!! I know it's just the beginning of the year but ...
The story and the performance were both amazing and just when I thought I couldn't love Trevor Noah anymore, he proved me wrong.
The story and the performance were both amazing and just when I thought I couldn't love Trevor Noah anymore, he proved me wrong.
lauralantran_'s review against another edition
5.0
Hilarious and touching, Trevor Noah didn't leave anything unsaid in this book, including his struggles with Apartheid and his identity in South Africa. I am startled by how I much can relate so much to Trevor's childhood stories in many regards, including my experience growing up having a semi-alcoholic father and my conflicting feelings of love and have for him, of domestic abuse, of being bullied, of travelling to Australia and having to deal with "choosing a side" in life, and of dealing with people who have given me pain.
I am very aware of how my life is more privileged than Trevor's in many other aspects, but the fact that I found myself in his stories speaks volumes about how (1) Trevor Noah is truly brilliant and (2) in a way we are all connected through shared feelings and experiences. I find a sense of calm and humility having read this book, a lesson and starting point to grapple with my place in this world.
I am very aware of how my life is more privileged than Trevor's in many other aspects, but the fact that I found myself in his stories speaks volumes about how (1) Trevor Noah is truly brilliant and (2) in a way we are all connected through shared feelings and experiences. I find a sense of calm and humility having read this book, a lesson and starting point to grapple with my place in this world.
stephxsu's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
informative
lighthearted
medium-paced
4.5
The incomparably talented Trevor Noah smashed it out of the ballpark with this hilarious, heartfelt, and eye-opening memoir.
Noah has always stood out for me among the sea of comedians for his way with accents and his keen understanding of the intersections of race relations, social commentary, and humor. BORN A CRIME is the perfect culmination of Noah's strengths. Supporting Noah's funny memories is concise yet insightful commentary about South African society just before and just after the end of apartheid, which is revelatory in how it informs his humor (he learned that speaking others' languages helps him connect); identity (in a country in which social stratification was literally coded into the law, he belonged nowhere); and social activism.
BORN A CRIME will be a rewarding read for anyone who:
- likes Trevor Noah
- enjoys humor
- enjoys memoirs
- wants to learn more about race relations
And it goes without saying that if you can access the audiobook, DO IT. Noah narrates it himself and it's the only audiobook I've listened to so far where I slowed down the reading speed because I was enjoying it so much that I didn't want to miss a word.
Noah has always stood out for me among the sea of comedians for his way with accents and his keen understanding of the intersections of race relations, social commentary, and humor. BORN A CRIME is the perfect culmination of Noah's strengths. Supporting Noah's funny memories is concise yet insightful commentary about South African society just before and just after the end of apartheid, which is revelatory in how it informs his humor (he learned that speaking others' languages helps him connect); identity (in a country in which social stratification was literally coded into the law, he belonged nowhere); and social activism.
BORN A CRIME will be a rewarding read for anyone who:
- likes Trevor Noah
- enjoys humor
- enjoys memoirs
- wants to learn more about race relations
And it goes without saying that if you can access the audiobook, DO IT. Noah narrates it himself and it's the only audiobook I've listened to so far where I slowed down the reading speed because I was enjoying it so much that I didn't want to miss a word.
sustainably_lucia's review against another edition
funny
informative
medium-paced
5.0
I highly recommend the audiobook version! Hearing Trevor read his story was so much more impactful than reading it to myself. In this honest and witty account of his life, Trevor shares snippets of what it was like to grow up as a colored person (not Black or white) in South Africa during apartheid. I felt like I was in the story with him even though my experience was very different. He explains the realities of what he had to do to not only survive but make the most of what he had and enjoy life. This is an important and enjoyable book that I’m very glad I read.
fexelli's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
4.75