Reviews

Fascinating, honest and unflinching account of a life in a time of change in South Africa. Stories that need to be heard and tales of goodness in hard times.

The real standout is Trevor’s mum. An intriguing life and clear the love of their relationship is at the heart of the book.

Audio book is an absolute must. Trevor performs with heart and conviction, guiding the reader along.
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vanessab78's review against another edition

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emotional funny informative reflective sad medium-paced

4.5

balberry's review

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adventurous emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

5.0

I accidentally picked up the young readers’ adaptation of Trevor Noah’s “Born a Crime,” but hey, who am I to turn down a good book? Sure, I wish I had the full experience of the original, but the adaptation still managed to be profoundly educational and moving. Noah sprinkles in so much historical context about apartheid and South African culture throughout his childhood, which really helps paint the picture. The timeline jumps around a bit, but somehow it all comes together beautifully to build a compelling narrative. What struck me most was how the focus isn’t on Noah's rise to fame as a comedian; instead, it's about his journey to becoming a good person. The heart of the book is Noah's relationship with his mother, which is beautiful. Their love and respect for each other shine through. Themes of independence and freedom, both politically and within the family, resonate strongly throughout. I have a feeling this would be an incredible audiobook experience, especially with the emphasis on different languages and what they signify. One analogy that stuck with me was the proverb about teaching a man to fish but never giving him a fishing rod – a powerful metaphor for systemic racism. Overall, this was a beautiful read, and I wholeheartedly recommend it. Just maybe skip the young readers’ adaptation if you’re an adult.

amandaphill's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging emotional funny informative inspiring reflective fast-paced

5.0

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