Born a Crime: Stories From a South African Childhood in Book Riot's Read Harder Challenge

Feb 10, 2018 Talia rated it really liked it

Shelves: audio-books, memoirs, readharder2018

Read Harder 2018 Challenge: A Celebrity Memoir

Lately, I've been reading a lot of books that shake my little bubble-worldview and make me realize, there's so much I don't know, and apartheid is one of those topics. Aside from being able to identify Nelson Mandela, half-reading "Cry the Beloved Country" in high school, the 80s song "Sun City", and a Disney channel movie called "The Color of Friendship", I realized I know very little about South Africa and apartheid. While this book isn't non-ficti ...more

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Aug 16, 2021 Suzanne Hamilton rated it really liked it

I listened to this excellent memoir, narrated by the author. Trevor Noah does a good job interweaving his own story with depictions of South Africa during and immediately after apartheid. He describes a childhood of hardship, but also one of typical boy adventures. The result is a thoroughly enjoyable read that also provides a vivid picture of South Africa as it emerged from a century of oppression. I kept thinking of the teens I'd like to give this book to! ...more

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Feb 24, 2017 Linda Parker rated it really liked it

What a crazy life he has led and how different it is now! Interesting glimpse into a country and culture I know nothing about. It skips around a bit time wise which is a tad confusing, and it's not a very humorous story (only occasionally), but fascinating. I need a part 2 to learn how he left South Africa! ...more

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Feb 06, 2021 Jennifer rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: memoir-autobiography, non-fiction, owned

So many people have read this book, and written about this book, and all the things that they say about how good it is are absolutely true. Given the content, you know you are going to be in for a lot of racism and corrupt institutional power and weaponized poverty, but there are a few CWs you may not be expecting: cruelty to animals, a chapter about the moral relativism of Hitler, and domestic violence. Just a heads-up.

I cried and cried at the end, but it ends up feeling affirming? And hopeful? ...more

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Feb 14, 2021 Rae added it · review of another edition

Shelves: bio-memoir, 2021

Apartheid. Adolescence. Family. South Africa. Humorous.

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Jan 24, 2022 Ally rated it liked it

Shelves: recommended-wlbb, 2022-challenge, hard-copy

3.5 rounded up

Ok, first I have to note, Trevor Noah is not a great writer. HOWEVER, one of my goals this year is to read books set in other countries and learn some history/cultural history and this book was mentioned a lot when I asked about books set in South Africa/during apartheid. I'm glad I read it - it really was fascinating (and heartbreaking - I had no idea he had that kind of upbringing). I wish we learned more about apartheid in school but I'll definitely be researching and reading mo ...more

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May 25, 2019 Cheryl rated it liked it

Shelves: book-group, non-fiction, multicultural, narrative-non-fiction, black-authors, memoir

Read for book group. Probably wouldn’t have been pulled to read it otherwise but did enjoy it. The autobiography was smooth and he really put a picture in my mind of apartheid and all the racial elements involved. How fascinating he maneuvered through it all and learned to speak so many languages. A chameleon of sorts. I would have liked to have read more beyond his childhood but maybe he’ll write another book.

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