Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood

by Trevor Noah

Book Overview

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER - More than one million copies sold! A "brilliant" (Lupita Nyong'o, Time), "poignant" (Entertainment Weekly), "soul-nourishing" (USA Today) memoir about coming of age during the twilight of apartheid

"Noah's childhood stories are told with all the hilarity and intellect that characterizes his comedy, while illuminating a dark and brutal period in South Africa's history that...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0399588191
• ISBN13: 9780399588198
• Release Date: February 2019
• Publisher: One World
• Length: 304 Pages
• Weight: 0.59 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.5" x 8.2"

Customer Reviews

This book was not NoT in good condition the binding is broken the book received in bad condition!

This book should be returned its in bad condition broken binding and pages missing and a stank smell.

Born a Crime

Excellent both written and CD format (for long drives for those of us who have vehicle with a CD player!)... Gave me fresh perspective and understanding of prejudice in todays world... Trevor has marvelous manner in which to share sensitive topics in a humorous manner.

A book about apartheid has no right to be this funny

[Edit: There is a version for kids called "It's Trevor Noah: Born a Crime" that has any swear words taken out, get it for all the kids in your life.] I can't think of another book that is this readable and this eye-opening at the same time. I lost count of how many times I actually laughed out loud and how many times I had real tears in my eyes. You'll be left marveling at the resilience of the human spirit, especially when it is fortified by the faith that Trevor's mother Patricia held on to in the middle of bone-chilling circumstances. After you read it, go find the audiobook read by the author - so much emotion is added by hearing him retell the stories himself, and he is masterful at imitating voices and speaks the many different languages throughout the book, putting you in that world in a totally different way than reading it. Also, find his stand-up about his mother in the last chapter on Youtube. A small excerpt of how the author injects humor, describing his grandmother's two-room house: "There was a bedroom, and then there was basically a living room/kitchen/everything-else room. Some might say we lived like poor people. I prefer 'open plan.' " The humor makes it easier to learn about this important, not-long-ago history.

loved it.

This is an amazing, very readable, and insightful book. so many laugh out loud moments and the part with his mum near the end - wow. Highly recommend.

Top 10

Absolutely love this book! The audio version that he reads himself is also wonderful. At times it’s hard to believe it’s not a fictional story.

One of my favorites

This book was so amazing. Funny, emotional, and makes you not want to stop reading!!! Trevor Noah is a brilliant comedian and I suggest listening to stand up of his if you’re thinking of reading to get a feel for his voice.

Thoroughly enjoyed!

You don't have to know who Trevor Noah is to want to read this book. Though the Daily Show is what lead me to read this book. I was impressed with his story telling and how much it allowed me a glimpse into Apharteid. My admiration for Trevor Noah is infinitely greater after reading this book.