Trevor Noah’s unlikely path from apartheid South Africa to the desk of The Daily Show began with a criminal act: his birth. Trevor was born to a white Swiss father and a black Xhosa mother at a time when such a union was punishable by five years in prison. Living proof of his parents’ indiscretion, Trevor was kept mostly indoors for the earliest years of his life, bound by the extreme and often absurd measures his mother took to hide him from a government that could, at any moment, steal him away. Finally liberated by the end of South Africa’s tyrannical white rule, Trevor and his mother set forth on a grand adventure, living openly and freely and embracing the opportunities won by a centuries-long struggle.
Born a Crime is the story of a mischievous young boy who grows into a restless young man as he struggles to find himself …
Trevor Noah’s unlikely path from apartheid South Africa to the desk of The Daily Show began with a criminal act: his birth. Trevor was born to a white Swiss father and a black Xhosa mother at a time when such a union was punishable by five years in prison. Living proof of his parents’ indiscretion, Trevor was kept mostly indoors for the earliest years of his life, bound by the extreme and often absurd measures his mother took to hide him from a government that could, at any moment, steal him away. Finally liberated by the end of South Africa’s tyrannical white rule, Trevor and his mother set forth on a grand adventure, living openly and freely and embracing the opportunities won by a centuries-long struggle.
Born a Crime is the story of a mischievous young boy who grows into a restless young man as he struggles to find himself in a world where he was never supposed to exist. It is also the story of that young man’s relationship with his fearless, rebellious, and fervently religious mother—his teammate, a woman determined to save her son from the cycle of poverty, violence, and abuse that would ultimately threaten her own life.
The stories collected here are by turns hilarious, dramatic, and deeply affecting. Whether subsisting on caterpillars for dinner during hard times, being thrown from a moving car during an attempted kidnapping, or just trying to survive the life-and-death pitfalls of dating in high school, Trevor illuminates his curious world with an incisive wit and unflinching honesty. His stories weave together to form a moving and searingly funny portrait of a boy making his way through a damaged world in a dangerous time, armed only with a keen sense of humor and a mother’s unconventional, unconditional love.
Pretty good! My biggest complaint is in the editing -- the time periods kind of jump all over the place, and not in an interesting, Christopher Nolan sort of way. Also, the transition from being a street hood in Johannesburg to host of the Daily Show was kind of not present at all; I guess we have to wait for the sequel to see how Trevor gets out of the country!
That said, the ultimate message of "holy shit Trevor Noah lived through some real abject poverty and abuse as a kid" was great, and something that all privileged kids should read. Also, I learned a lot more about street-level life in South Africa during the transition to post-apartheid, which was interesting and terrible.
The book starts light-hearted the same way young Trevor takes his life. He takes it as a fact, to be a born crime, somehow different from the rest of the family. As the author Trevor Noah puts his childhood into perspective - with entertaining anecdotes and insights. Many stories in the book create a mix of emotions to process. I needed often day-long breaks where I was just reflecting over a story.
Nearly every story brings a broader understanding of Apartheid and the struggles in South Africa. It makes you understand how unfair everything was set-up by design. How it evolved from colonialism to a modern police state - and eventually felt apart.
The book is well written and combines personal life with the day-to-day history of South Africa in a unique way. Whether you find Trevor interesting or the history of South Africa, this is a book for you.
Review of 'Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood' on 'Goodreads'
5 stars
The book starts with a very light tone despite the circumstances. It paints a happy picture. The last chapter hits like a punch in the gut and tbh I cried while reading it. Trevors memories are vivid, beautiful and help to understand another country maybe a little bit better. I've already enjoyed him as a talkshow hoast and his thoughts, but this book makes me appreciate him even more. Definitely recommended, even if you don't know or care for Trevor Noah. Just a great memoir.
I learned so much about Trevor Noah (and South Africa)
5 stars
It took me about a year to finish this one. I started off reading out loud with my partner but we moved on to something a bit cheerier due to the fact that a lot of the chapters are pretty depressing (it's still a great book, it just wasn't working for us in that context).
Having said that, I really enjoyed Trevor's book here and I have a whole new level respect for him. He's a terrific writer and a hilarious storyteller.
If you like Trevor Noah or are interested in South Africa, consider reading this book.
Trevor has lead an interesting life, growing up in Apartheid South Africa and ending up in the US. He did well, defied a lot of odds, and he even had Hitler as a friend.
Review of 'Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood' on 'Goodreads'
5 stars
I read or listen to autobiographies in the hope of learning to see the world from a new angle. This book definitely does this and so much more. Noah is a born entertainer and storyteller and from minute one his narration hooked me. I had no idea how many hardships he had to face as a child before hearing his story but he manages to tell it without smothering in self pity - there are parts that left me stunned, touched and others laughing tears. I will see one of his live shows in spring and am already looking forward to it.
Review of 'Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood' on 'Goodreads'
4 stars
This book was so good. I'm usually not one for biographies, but I learned a little about South Africa while reading this book. Noa sure is a good storyteller, and his mother was quite the character as well. I liked their banter with each other.
Heartfelt memoir by a very funny comedian from South Africa. He has lived quite an amazing life. His stories were illuminating for me as I know quite little about Africa. You could tell the was no ghost writer writing this book. His words are his own and his stories are great.
Review of 'Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood' on 'Goodreads'
4 stars
"Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood" by Trevor Noah is an engrossing, deeply personal memoir by one of the world's top comedians. It goes beyond mere autobiography and, with Noah's characteristic humor and grace, tells the story of a young man seeking his place at the end of Apartheid and the birth of a new South Africa. At the center of the story is Noah's relationship with his mother-one of the fiercest ladies every put to paper. While it has a serious heart, the book is hilarious and I found myself laughing hysterically at many points. My only complaint is that the funny moments are funny but at times, I felt a like I was reading a stand-up routine written into narrative form. I've read a few memoirs in the past where I felt as if the author had recorded himself and wrote it down as a …
"Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood" by Trevor Noah is an engrossing, deeply personal memoir by one of the world's top comedians. It goes beyond mere autobiography and, with Noah's characteristic humor and grace, tells the story of a young man seeking his place at the end of Apartheid and the birth of a new South Africa. At the center of the story is Noah's relationship with his mother-one of the fiercest ladies every put to paper. While it has a serious heart, the book is hilarious and I found myself laughing hysterically at many points. My only complaint is that the funny moments are funny but at times, I felt a like I was reading a stand-up routine written into narrative form. I've read a few memoirs in the past where I felt as if the author had recorded himself and wrote it down as a transcription. But it was the moments where the book is more reflective that it shines. Very recommended.
