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Title:
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Born a Crime |
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Authors:
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Noah, Trevor |
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Genre:
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Non Fiction |
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Pages:
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282 |
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Year:
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2016 |
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Publisher:
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John Murray Publishing |
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Language:
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English |
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Description:
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Comedian Trevor Noah has not just survived being born a crime (according to the Immorality Act of 1927), but has thrived. With a black mother and a white European father, he was forced to negotiate the racially restrictive apartheid laws of 1980s South Africa, fortunately armed with a secret weapon: his fearless and indomitable mother Patricia.
Both funny and insightful, this is a memoir of witty truth telling, exposing a South African upbringing to the sensitive insights of an acute observer. [Small font]
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Categories:
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Non fiction, Biography, Community, Culture/Ethnic/Racial, Human Rights, Humour, Political, Relationships, Social commentary/perspectives, South Africa, Blind Low Vision library, Small font, 2020 Titles, Group favourites |
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By: CHCH 527
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2024-02-25 17:51:45 |
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Thoroughly enjoyed this easy to read book. Informative about apartheid days - writing style jarred with some of us. Sheds light on a different time and political system. |
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By: CHCH 552
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2023-08-24 10:18:58 |
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Easy to read, our group loved the humour and found it very thought provoking and educational. |
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By: WAIKA 002
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2023-07-10 09:56:37 |
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A harrowing history told with humour. |
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By: AUCK 014
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2023-05-09 14:45:47 |
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Enjoyed by most of the group as an insightful memoir, simultaneously hilarious and disturbing. It certainly provided a perspective about apartheid and racism in general. It outlined the importance of having a 'sense of belonging', but also the limitations of that sense when it is used to exclude others. Not all the group appreciated the style of writing but it was an easy and interesting read and we had quite a lively discussion about it. |
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By: WESTO 001
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2023-03-30 15:14:29 |
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Everyone enjoyed this book, well-written, thought provoking and humorous. Would like to see a follow on book about his life and what happened next. |
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By: WHAKA 013
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2023-03-16 14:15:36 |
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We all thoroughly enjoyed this book! |
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By: NELS 044
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2022-08-10 12:27:44 |
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While some in the group didn't like the style of writing of this memoir, all found it increased their knowledge of the apartheid era. Others of us loved every moment. |
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By: HAMIL 064
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2022-08-03 12:31:02 |
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This was one of our most popular books yet. An amazing story of triumph over adversity, and one particular anecdote made us cry with laughter. |
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By: HAMIL 062
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2022-06-01 16:36:21 |
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Everybody found this book easy to read and informative on the personal effects of apartheid. We all learned a lot as the topic was explained in simple relatable ways. He wrote without bitterness and humorously ridiculed the many inconsistencies and frustrations of apartheid that he and his mother navigated. The mother was a favorite character, a strong, courageous and provocative woman with a strong faith and trust in God. Quibbles were the strong language and a jagged timeline. Would have liked to know more about how he went from Soweto to being a big time broadcaster. |
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By: CHCH 009
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2022-01-25 12:47:57 |
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We gave this book a rating of 4.5, and considered it "as enjoyable as it was thought-provoking". It is probably the only book we have had which has received universal praise!! |
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By: HAMIL 068
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2021-11-15 14:54:06 |
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Definitely up there as one of the best reads - not only comedic but insightful. Every chapter had a profound moment. Such a wise, powerful, witty, incredible read. |
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By: BLENH 017
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2021-09-13 11:12:36 |
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We all loved it! |
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By: MAST 005
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2020-12-18 11:48:19 |
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All loved this book, it provoked much discussion about racism and whether we are tribally separate and whether cataclysmic events bring us together eg. Covid, earthquakes, mosque killings. Should be compulsory reading. |
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By: ASHB 004
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2020-12-11 11:41:38 |
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A real eye opener about life in South Africa. We thought the writing was very clever as we learnt about what was going on behind the scenes with apartheid without feeling lectured, while getting insights into his life. We had an interesting discussion as to whether "coloured" is a derogatory term. We all enjoyed the book, enjoyed the readable writing style. |
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By: TAUP 009
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2020-08-20 10:00:07 |
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This book was a real eye-opener to life in South Africa under, and following apartheid, but written in a funny way so it was really engaging. Many of us went on to watch Trevor's comedy routines after reading the book. |
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By: WELL 041
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2020-08-14 12:16:33 |
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This was a fascinating read and we all enjoyed it. From the title and on through the book, we were led into the life of South Africa and Noah and his mother's lives. Love is paramount. His mother is a strong woman who pulled herself into a life that we all admired. An excellent read and thoroughly recommended. |
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By: PALMN 029
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2020-06-15 22:38:29 |
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Great stories. Well-written and an excellent read. We all found the book really engaging. It lead to a great conversation. |
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By: WELL 086
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2020-05-08 14:59:54 |
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Everyone loved this book, apart from the violent bits. Very informative about colour classification in apartheid South Africa. A welcome distraction! |
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By: TEMUK 001
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2020-05-01 14:04:44 |
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We didn't have a meeting in April, but got quick feedback - a very informative read. |
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By: CHCH 145
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2020-03-24 15:21:54 |
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All but one in our group thought the book was wonderful. An amazing story about apartheid, and the dismantling of apartheid from the perspective of a young coloured boy. |
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By: BLENH 007
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2020-03-09 13:42:43 |
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Our group really enjoyed this book; and the internet and YouTube showed some of Noah's comedy. Good discussion about apartheid and "language". Everyone participated. The idea of giving a man the fishing rod while giving him instructions to fish, was also discussed. |
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By: WHAKA 017
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2020-02-26 13:32:04 |
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Our group thinks that everyone would enjoy this book. It is well-written, easy to read and informative about racism and apartheid. Trevor Noah had a very interesting childhood and a very interesting mother!! |
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By: ALEXA 006
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2019-11-18 13:43:31 |
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EXCELLENT. Great read and very insightful. Questions/information also great. |
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By: TAUR 057
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2019-08-09 12:56:05 |
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The best book we have read through BDS yet. Everyone in the group without exception rated 'Born A Crime' very highly. Well-written and both entertaining and very thought provoking. We all learned a lot and it provoked a long and wide-ranging discussion. |
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