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woolsson's review against another edition
5.0
I have never been so engrossed in a book.
Normally, even if it's a book I'm really enjoying, I'm aware of how many pages there are and what page I'm on. Not with this, I put it down after one of the sessions of reading it and realised I was half way and I was surprised when I reached the end. In other words, this book is most opposite of chore to read I've ever encountered.
Somehow, Trevor Noah manages to talk about such serious topics such as apartheid, abuse, racism and so much more in a lighthearted like way that makes you feel the gravity of the situation but with enough humour that you're smiling and suddenly reading about his deaf dog.
I knew almost nothing about Trevor Noah or South Africa before this book and while I'm aware I still know little, what I have learnt has been eye-opening and explained in such a comprehensive, interesting way that you don't realise you've learnt the basic of a country's systemic oppression and apprehension- not an easy feat in one book, especially one that isn't aimed at teaching you that.
Somehow, despite the title Born A Crime, I naively thought this book would be the humorous stories of a comedian's life. And it is, but the comedic stories are embedded within a life that has suffered from so much and Trevor Noah does not shy away from telling the realities of the harsh situations, relationships and realities he has faced growing up.
This book is easily worthy of 5 stars. The writing is comprehensive, explaining complex scenarios in an easy to read way; it is educational, I have learnt so much about South Africa that I had absolutely no idea about and most of all, its intriguing - it manages to put all these concepts together in a clear but funny but devastating way.
All this ramble is to essentially say: this book is one that everyone needs to read. It is somehow easy and a joy to read and I know I'll be revisiting it again and again.
Normally, even if it's a book I'm really enjoying, I'm aware of how many pages there are and what page I'm on. Not with this, I put it down after one of the sessions of reading it and realised I was half way and I was surprised when I reached the end. In other words, this book is most opposite of chore to read I've ever encountered.
Somehow, Trevor Noah manages to talk about such serious topics such as apartheid, abuse, racism and so much more in a lighthearted like way that makes you feel the gravity of the situation but with enough humour that you're smiling and suddenly reading about his deaf dog.
I knew almost nothing about Trevor Noah or South Africa before this book and while I'm aware I still know little, what I have learnt has been eye-opening and explained in such a comprehensive, interesting way that you don't realise you've learnt the basic of a country's systemic oppression and apprehension- not an easy feat in one book, especially one that isn't aimed at teaching you that.
Somehow, despite the title Born A Crime, I naively thought this book would be the humorous stories of a comedian's life. And it is, but the comedic stories are embedded within a life that has suffered from so much and Trevor Noah does not shy away from telling the realities of the harsh situations, relationships and realities he has faced growing up.
This book is easily worthy of 5 stars. The writing is comprehensive, explaining complex scenarios in an easy to read way; it is educational, I have learnt so much about South Africa that I had absolutely no idea about and most of all, its intriguing - it manages to put all these concepts together in a clear but funny but devastating way.
All this ramble is to essentially say: this book is one that everyone needs to read. It is somehow easy and a joy to read and I know I'll be revisiting it again and again.
acmarinho3's review against another edition
5.0
Gostei muito desta biografia. Trevor Noah demonstra uma inteligência tremenda com a escrita deste livro, porque revela factos tristes e dramáticos da sua vida, sem os estragar com piadas descontextualizadas ou desapropriadas. Conta a sua vida, tal como ela foi, sem romancear ou exagerar, e subtilmente introduz uma piada inteligente que nos permite respirar um pouco da intensidade da narrativa e da sua realidade em África do Sul. Terminei o livro a admirar ainda mais o seu profissionalismo e a sua personalidade.
kessler21's review against another edition
5.0
[b:Born a Crime: Stories From a South African Childhood|29780253|Born a Crime Stories From a South African Childhood|Trevor Noah|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1473867911s/29780253.jpg|50150838]
Wow. That's all I had to say at the end of the book. Wow. This has been reviewed several times so I will skip a synopsis.
Two themes that are at the forefront of this book, equality or really, racism does not make sense, and empowering the disenfranchised. Noah uses his own experiences to drive these points home.
This books is funny, sad, inspiring, scary, and so much more that I can't even think of words to express how this book made me feel. The writing is first class and the narration by Noah enhances this even more, not even seeming like a book, but instead Noah just talking, telling his life story Gump style.
This book is not linear, but is instead told in stories almost, driving home particular points such as family, authority, relationships, fitting in, learning independence, learning business, work ethics, the history of South Africa and more.
I am going to save my favorite part of the book for our discussion at the end of the month. I do wish the story covered his comedy career and the struggles there, Either he ran out of pages (publishing companies put limits on that stuff) or those lessons and themes didn't fit into this book.
A must read. MUST READ!!!!. I think the language will prevent it from becoming a school reading book.
Wow. That's all I had to say at the end of the book. Wow. This has been reviewed several times so I will skip a synopsis.
Two themes that are at the forefront of this book, equality or really, racism does not make sense, and empowering the disenfranchised. Noah uses his own experiences to drive these points home.
This books is funny, sad, inspiring, scary, and so much more that I can't even think of words to express how this book made me feel. The writing is first class and the narration by Noah enhances this even more, not even seeming like a book, but instead Noah just talking, telling his life story Gump style.
This book is not linear, but is instead told in stories almost, driving home particular points such as family, authority, relationships, fitting in, learning independence, learning business, work ethics, the history of South Africa and more.
I am going to save my favorite part of the book for our discussion at the end of the month. I do wish the story covered his comedy career and the struggles there, Either he ran out of pages (publishing companies put limits on that stuff) or those lessons and themes didn't fit into this book.
A must read. MUST READ!!!!. I think the language will prevent it from becoming a school reading book.
meheveran's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
4.25
shortybeans2020's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
fast-paced
4.0
hilivingston7's review against another edition
emotional
funny
medium-paced
4.0
You can see he gets his humor, if not his faith, from his mom; super interesting to read about his life (and language abilities/adoption!) in South Africa.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Physical abuse, and Abandonment