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This book is an example of why you have a book group, for you read things like this that would have never come under your radar otherwise. Not watching TV, I had no idea of who this author Trevor Noah was. (For those who don’t know, he’s the current, witty host of The Daily Show, an American satirical news program on Comedy Central.) This memoir is of his growing up half black and half white (hence “born a crime”) under apartheid in South Africa.
The book is good for an inside look at apartheid and the years immediately following, but is also an account of survival, of overcoming the odds, of the importance of speaking someone’s language, of race and cultural differences, and of outsmarting the system. Mostly, it is a tribute to his remarkable mother, who was an independently minded, devout Christian, who overcame impossible situations through her steadfast faith. The way God helps her at the end of the book is not something you will not soon forget. Born a Crime is by turns funny and baffling and serious, and paints an unforgettable portrait of a time and place and mindset we don’t often hear about. I give it five stars.
So give this one a read if you have not already. The audio version is done by the author and may be your best way to enjoy this, as there are many dialects that would be better embellished on audio. This is also true because the writing here reads as though he verbally dictated it, so listen to it in his own voice if you have the chance.
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11 Comments
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Thankyou, Polly for the recommendation.
I’m currently enjoying again my childhood book, Anne of Green Gables which you recommended and visited during the Summer. I enjoyed The Robe recently that you had in your archive, it was brilliant and went well with following on from a reread of Acts in the Bible and William Barclay’s commentary on the Acts.
I’ve also collected other books you mentioned to take away on an upcoming trip!
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So glad!!
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Are you reading the Anne of Green Gables sequels too??
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I hadn’t thought to do that, go you recommend them?
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Yes. You can follow Anne and Gilbert as they grow up and marry.
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Oh I think I have to now! I finished the book last night, it had such a lovely conclusion.
Do you keep all the books you read? You must have hundreds if you do!
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More like 10,000. Our house is like a library! I still use the public library a lot and I only keep the ones I really like. Xxx
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Wow! You must spend a great deal of time reading. Not watching tv is a good plan, because it can be a bit of a time waster!
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I fit my reading in around things, but over time, it adds up. We do watch movies/streamed TV series on weekend evenings sometimes, though. xx
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Do you ever use a kindle? I have one but I much prefer to have a book in my hand. It can be useful when travelling though.
You are such an inspiring person, Polly and I love the variety of your activities you share with us all! Thank you so much. Love x-
I do not use a e-reader and do not have one. I do listen to audiobooks sometimes though, which is convenient when paper books are not. I’m so glad you like the blog! I’m very glad you are part of it. xx
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