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ashep's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
4.5
cierra_hudson's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
informative
medium-paced
5.0
suvata's review against another edition
5.0
What a fantastic memoir! Trevor Noah is a bi-racial child born in South Africa during Apartheid. This is his story and it’s funny, and frightening, and educational, and everything else a great story should be. Enlightening and thought provoking — a must read!
rballenger's review against another edition
4.0
Type of read: Weekend read (ebook)
What made me pick it up: Friend suggested to me.
Overall rating: I really enjoyed 'Born a Crime.' I wouldn't say that I was a huge Trevor Noah fan before reading the book. I like him, I like how he handles the Daily Show, I like his work, but I'm not like 'OH MY GOSH I HAVE TO SEE TREVOR NOAH.' Born a Crime gave a unique perspective to a place I don't think many of us give a second thought. I enjoyed hearing Noah's experiences and stories. I continually had to remind myself that what he was writing about, such as the time frames, didn't happen that long ago...which completely boggled my mind. I liked Noah's writing style and cadence. I would definitely recommend Born a Crime and consider it to be a good read.
What made me pick it up: Friend suggested to me.
Overall rating: I really enjoyed 'Born a Crime.' I wouldn't say that I was a huge Trevor Noah fan before reading the book. I like him, I like how he handles the Daily Show, I like his work, but I'm not like 'OH MY GOSH I HAVE TO SEE TREVOR NOAH.' Born a Crime gave a unique perspective to a place I don't think many of us give a second thought. I enjoyed hearing Noah's experiences and stories. I continually had to remind myself that what he was writing about, such as the time frames, didn't happen that long ago...which completely boggled my mind. I liked Noah's writing style and cadence. I would definitely recommend Born a Crime and consider it to be a good read.
book_concierge's review against another edition
4.0
Book on CD performed by the author.
Subtitle: Stories From a South African Childhood
Born under Apartheid in South Africa, Trevor Noah was born a crime. He had a white Swiss German father, and a black Xhosa mother, at a time when such a relationship was punishable by up to five years in prison. His early childhood years were spent being hidden behind walls so that the government would not take him. This is his memoir of growing up a “colored” boy in a black neighborhood, in a changing South Africa.
The narrative is not strictly in chronological order; at time he relates a story from his primary school days, then goes back to pre-school age. Or he’ll tell a tale of being about eighteen, and in the next episode he’s about eleven. Still the general arc of the story shows how he grew up and was influenced by his mother’s deep faith and insistence on his becoming self-sufficient. He was obviously intelligent, learning several languages, which helped him to fit in even when he did not necessarily “look” like the people he was around. He’s honest about his criminal activity – shop lifting, pirating music, hustling, etc. But also takes a hard look at the episodes that helped to shape him, the influences and decisions that ultimately saved him.
Noah narrated the audiobook himself. I cannot imagine anyone else doing a better job. 5***** for his performance on the audio.
Subtitle: Stories From a South African Childhood
Born under Apartheid in South Africa, Trevor Noah was born a crime. He had a white Swiss German father, and a black Xhosa mother, at a time when such a relationship was punishable by up to five years in prison. His early childhood years were spent being hidden behind walls so that the government would not take him. This is his memoir of growing up a “colored” boy in a black neighborhood, in a changing South Africa.
The narrative is not strictly in chronological order; at time he relates a story from his primary school days, then goes back to pre-school age. Or he’ll tell a tale of being about eighteen, and in the next episode he’s about eleven. Still the general arc of the story shows how he grew up and was influenced by his mother’s deep faith and insistence on his becoming self-sufficient. He was obviously intelligent, learning several languages, which helped him to fit in even when he did not necessarily “look” like the people he was around. He’s honest about his criminal activity – shop lifting, pirating music, hustling, etc. But also takes a hard look at the episodes that helped to shape him, the influences and decisions that ultimately saved him.
Noah narrated the audiobook himself. I cannot imagine anyone else doing a better job. 5***** for his performance on the audio.
jaynamihalick's review against another edition
5.0
Such a good and important book! I loved the way Trevor Noah tells his experiences with the humor and the seriousness in a good balance. Very authentic and genuine
sare1125's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Racism, Abandonment, and Child abuse
kirsty_b's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, and Gun violence
Moderate: Hate crime