What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedBorn a Crime
Trevor Noah · Book · 2019
If you loved Born a Crime, start with What Now? with Trevor Noah — a podcast on the same thread. Below: 4 films, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to Born a Crime across media.
If you loved the way Born a Crime balances sharp social critique with deeply personal storytelling, these selections will resonate.
Films on the same thread
Parasite
Bong Joon Ho · Film · 2019
Shares a thread with Born a Crime: Social Commentary.
Like the biting social commentary in Born a Crime, this film uses dark humor to expose the uncomfortable realities of class struggle and systemic inequality within modern society.
BlacKkKlansman
Spike Lee · Film · 2018
Explores: Racial Injustice, Undercover Operation, Identity.
This film mirrors the exploration of racial identity found in Born a Crime, using a provocative, satirical lens to examine the absurdity of institutionalized hatred and systemic prejudice.
The Wolf of Wall Street
Film · 2013
Explores: Greed, Excess, Corruption.
Much like the unfiltered perspective in Born a Crime, this biographical account of excess provides a raw, unflinching look at the corruption and culture surrounding high-stakes greed.
Green Book
Film · 2018
Explores: Racial Segregation, Unlikely Friendship, Civil Rights Era.
This narrative captures the same spirit of navigating racial segregation as Born a Crime, focusing on the unlikely human connections that form while challenging the status quo.
Series on the same thread
Last Week Tonight with John Oliver
John Oliver · Series · 2014
Shares a thread with Born a Crime: Social Commentary.
You will appreciate the blend of political satire and explanatory journalism here, which mirrors the intellectual rigor and wit Trevor Noah brought to the pages of Born a Crime.
The Night Of
Richard Price · Series · 2016
Explores: Wrongful Accusation, Criminal Justice System, Moral Ambiguity.
This series examines the flaws of the criminal justice system with the same gravity found in Born a Crime, highlighting how race and class dictate one's survival.
Brooklyn Nine-Nine
Daniel J. Goor · Series · 2013
Explores: Ensemble Cast, Underdog, Character-Driven.
If the comedic timing in Born a Crime kept you engaged, this workplace ensemble offers a similar sense of humor while navigating the complexities of modern police work.
Orange Is the New Black
Jenji Kohan · Series · 2013
Explores: Female Ensemble, Incarceration, Social Class.
Just as Born a Crime explores identity within a rigid social structure, this series presents a poignant look at how individuals adapt and find community within an oppressive environment.
Podcasts on the same thread
What Now? with Trevor Noah
Podcast
Explores: contemporary issues, current events, candid conversations.
This podcast serves as a direct extension of the conversational curiosity that defined Born a Crime, allowing you to engage further with Trevor Noah’s unique cultural insights.
1619
The New York Times · Podcast · 2019
Explores: systemic racism, national identity, legacy of slavery.
This documentary series deepens the historical analysis of systemic racism you encountered in Born a Crime, providing a comprehensive look at how the past shapes our national identity.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is Born a Crime a memoir?
Yes, Born a Crime is a memoir written by Trevor Noah. It details his personal experience of coming of age during the twilight of apartheid in South Africa, blending his signature comedy with an exploration of the brutal historical period he grew up in.
What is the primary focus of Born a Crime?
Born a Crime focuses on Trevor Noah's childhood stories and his upbringing in South Africa. The book provides a poignant look at his life during the apartheid era, balancing hilarious anecdotes with serious reflections on the history and social conditions of the time.
How is the tone of Born a Crime described?
The tone of Born a Crime is characterized by a mix of hilarity and intellect. While the narrative is often funny due to Noah's comedic background, it remains a poignant and soul-nourishing account that illuminates the dark and brutal reality of life under apartheid.
Is Born a Crime a popular book?
Yes, Born a Crime is a number one New York Times bestseller. The memoir has achieved significant commercial success, with more than one million copies sold since its publication in 2019, and it has received critical acclaim for its brilliant and insightful storytelling.