BORN A CRIME by Trevor Noah
BORN A CRIME: STORIES FROM A SOUTH AFRICAN CHILDHOOD by Trevor Noah
After finishing IF YOU WANT TO MAKE GOD LAUGH, I wanted to learn more about South Africa and Apartheid. I must admit, it was something barely covered in my high school and college history classes, and I felt ashamed about that. Several people with whom I read IF YOU WANT TO MAKE GOD LAUGH recommended I pick up Trevor Noah’s autobiography, BORN A CRIME: STORIES FROM A SOUTH AFRICAN CHILDHOOD, so I did. And man am I thankful for that recommendation. ⠀
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This story was equal parts funny and eye-opening. Born mixed during Apartheid, where it was a crime for a native woman and a European man to have “carnal intercourse,” Trevor Noah was quite literally born a crime. His very existence was evidence of his parents’ violation of the law. ⠀
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Through these stories, Trevor tells us not just what it was like to grow up looking different from everyone else, but about his family’s struggle with poverty and abuse. But, as only a comedian could do, he wraps many of these stories in humor. There were moments when I was close to peeing my pants, it was so funny. Like the truly talented comedian he is, he took subjects and situations that are sensitive and seldom discussed, and flipped them on their heads in jest. ⠀
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Above all, however, this book is a love letter to Trevor’s mother, Patricia Noah. Patricia is a badass (excuse my language—there is literally no other word to describe her). She is stubborn and firm in her convictions and her faith, she is funny and smart, she takes no s***, especially from Trevor. I loved Patricia. I loved Trevor’s relationship with her: how they challenged each other, but, at the end of the day, loved each other immensely. ⠀
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I highly recommend this book. Trevor Noah is so much more than the host of The Daily Show. No, this book is everything before that, how he got to where he is. And it’s an incredible journey.
CW: extreme poverty, crime, racism, mention of suicide, animal abuse, domestic abuse (heavy at the end)