#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • More than one million copies sold! A “brilliant” (Lupita Nyong’o, Time), “poignant” (Entertainment Weekly), “soul-nourishing” (USA Today) memoir about coming of age during the twilight of apartheid “Noah’s childhood stories are told with all the hilarity and intellect that characterizes his comedy, while illuminating a dark and brutal period in South Africa’s … illuminating a dark and brutal period in South Africa’s history that must never be forgotten.”—Esquire
Winner of the Thurber Prize for American Humor and an NAACP Image Award • Named one of the best books of the year by The New York Time, USA Today, San Francisco Chronicle, NPR, Esquire, Newsday, and Booklist
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.
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This book really makes you think, especially if you don’t know much about African apartheid. Right vs. wrong is not so black and white; it depends a lot on your upbringing. I will not look at Trevor Noah the same way as I did before reading his book.
A look into the early life of a very funny guy. The reality of apartheid and how that affected peoples lives is done through Trevor Noah’s wonderful story telling.
Trevor does a masterful job of explaining some complicated truths with humor and relatable stories.
Great book! I loved reading Trever Noah story!
some very disturbing events, but overall it’s an inspirational story of survival, making the most of what’s available, and successful adaptation. His relationship with his grandmother’s unconditional love is particularly moving.
Eye opening.
Loved his story! Don’t miss it
This is a very revealing account of what living under Apartheid was really like on an everyday basis. As I finished the book , I realized that I have seen Trevor Noah on TV and I realized that this account is very current.
I loved this book & totally fell in love with the author. He remains humble even as he becomes more & more successful.
Irene Gordon
Very good. Especially liked the way Trevor Noah started each chapter by telling the reader what the political/social cultures were like at the time. Very informative.
Educational and historical information/read.
Trevor Noah is a miracle. He was born into a world that was dedicated to seeing that he didn’t succeed, and he did. Great book!!
I enjoyed Trevor Noahs story of his life while at the same time learning the South African history. I appreciated his honesty and humor.
A biographic page turner. Witty at times, unbelievable at times, sad at times, and very informative on South African life, laws and customs. A very easy read. It will be enjoyable and well worth your time.
I learned a lot about aparthied, It was very well written and flowed well. It was interesting to read about Trevor Noah’s life foundation, and inspirational in all that he has been able to accomplish. A real eye-opener about how character is built.
This book is one to share, particularly if you know Trevor and his work. His mother made him the person he is today. Not so much the beatings she gave, but the love. How he survived the abuse of home, community and country is a tribute to his mother. A really great read.
I LOVED this book. It isn’t Trevor Noah’s stand-up..it is his life in South African Apartheid. Being from the ’80’s, I remember U2 and Bishop TuTu and Nelson Mandela, but what a joy and insight to hear first-hand the realities of life in Apartheid. Noah has great commentary and wisdom about this era. Highly recommend this book.
Mr. Noah is a great storyteller; funny, insightful, poignant. Just a wonderful read.
There was no real story. It moved around too much between now and then. Not my kind of book.
Trevor Noah finds humor amongst cruelty. I could laugh because I know he became successful. I was surprised that apartheid collapsed without greater bloodshed. I am glad to have this insight into the price apartheid extracted.