95 pages 3 hours read

Trevor Noah

Born a Crime

Nonfiction | Autobiography / Memoir | Adult | Published in 2016

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

Born a Crime by Trevor Noah is a comedic autobiographical memoir detailing Noah’s experiences growing up during and after apartheid in South Africa, where his mixed-race heritage left him feeling divided and out of place. The narrative, interspersed with prologues that provide historical context, explores his interactions with diverse communities, his mother's defiance of racial restrictions, and his quest for identity amidst systemic segregation. The book includes instances of racial violence and abuse.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Trevor Noah’s Born A Crime is widely praised for its insightful and humorous exploration of his upbringing in apartheid South Africa. Readers appreciate Noah's storytelling and wit, shedding light on complex social issues through personal anecdotes. Some critique the book for perceived repetitiveness. Overall, it’s an engaging, thought-provoking memoir.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Born a Crime?

Readers who would enjoy Born A Crime by Trevor Noah are typically fans of humor, socio-political commentary, and compelling memoirs. Similar to readers of Becoming by Michelle Obama and A Long Way Gone by Ishmael Beah, they appreciate stories of resilience and overcoming adversity.

RecommendedReading Age

18+years

Book Details

Genre

Coming of Age / Bildungsroman

Topics

Race / Racism

History: African

Themes

Identity: Race

Society: Colonialism

Life/Time: Coming of Age