Reviews by Tag: apartheid

Teen Review
Born a Crime by Trevor Noah

Born a Crime

By Trevor Noah
Star Rating
★★★★★

Rated by
Alex
Mar 17, 2025

Born a Crime by Trevor Noah is a funny memoir about growing up in South Africa during Apartheid. As the son of a black mother and a white father, a relationship that was illegal, Noah shares his experiences of feeling like he didn’t belong to any group. Despite facing poverty and racism, Noah’s humor and his mother’s strength helped him navigate life’s challenges. The book mixes laughter with serious lessons about identity, resilience and love, making it an inspiring story of overcoming hardship.

Teen Review
Born a Crime by Trevor Noah

Born a Crime

By Trevor Noah
Star Rating
★★★★★

Rated by
Aisha
Feb 21, 2025

Trevor Noah’s Born a Crime is a memoir about growing up in Apartheid South Africa and his youth after Apartheid ended. Noah discusses his close relationship with his Xhosa mother and how his existence was essentially illegal. His mother being Xhosa/Black and his father being White/Swiss was a crime that was highly punishable. He grew up having to pretend his mother wasn't his mother and that his father wasn't his father, learning to be alone often.

Teen Review
Born a Crime: Stories From a South African Childhood book cover

Born a Crime: Stories From a South African Childhood

By Trevor Noah
Star Rating
★★★★★

Rated by
Aakanksha R.
Jun 7, 2024

Born a Crime is the autobiography of Trevor Noah, comedian and host of The Daily Show, detailing his experiences growing up in South Africa during and after apartheid. Noah was born to a black Xhosa mother and a white Swiss father, a union that was illegal under apartheid laws. The book explores his struggles with identity, his complicated relationship with his mother, and the challenges of navigating life as a biracial child in a society rife with racial tension.

Teen Review
Born a Crime: Stories From a South African Childhood book cover

Born a Crime: Stories From a South African Childhood

By Trevor Noah
Star Rating
★★★★★

Rated by
Aditi R.
Jun 7, 2024

Born a Crime is a humorous memoir by Trevor Noah, describing his experiences as a mixed-race child born during the apartheid era in South Africa. His mother, Patricia Noah, a Black South African, and his father, Robert, a white Swiss German, dared to defy the oppressive laws of the time, which labeled their son’s existence as “a crime”. Trevor’s story navigates through the complexities of identity, race, and belonging in a society that was aimed to segregate and oppress.

Teen Review
Born a Crime by Trevor Noah

Born a Crime

By Trevor Noah
Star Rating
★★★★★

Rated by
Anonymous
Oct 27, 2021

Born a Crime by Trevor Noah is an autobiography that sheds light on the systematic issues within South Africa. The book centers around Trevor’s childhood and the way he was raised. The story ranges from going to church, his relationship with his mom, and even finding a sweetheart for a dance. Additionally, Born a Crime brings attention to heavy issues such as apartheid and domestic abuse.

Browse by Tag