Born a Crime - Trevor Noah

Born a Crime

By Trevor Noah

  • Release Date: 2016-11-15
  • Genre: Biographies & Memoirs
Score: 4.5
4.5
From 4,998 Ratings

Description

#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 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.

Reviews

  • So much living

    5
    By Romanticynic26
    This book is personal and historical. It is a tale of survival and miracles. The insight that he is able to write with is stunning. The writing is so accessible. He is teaching us about the devastation of racial apartheid in South Africa and the US. It teaches that while a government can change and make change suddenly, the damage done by such a system won’t be healed so quickly and in some cases may never be repaired. He also teaches us about the unwavering love and self-determination of his mother. I was saddened, curious about some of the folks who came and went and deeply inspired by this book.
  • Magnificent

    5
    By Singyourlifetali
    I finished reading this book in 5 days I laughed, I cried, I laughed and cried. Best book I’ve read in years.
  • Audio book request

    4
    By gman 27-36
    I would really like an audio book version of this because I am dyslexic, but love books! So pls, if available, have an audio book when ready.
  • Absolutely boring and reaching

    1
    By MaiCach
    It’s clear he’s just reaching for a money grab, and this book was written with generating income only, not actually creating a good book. Plus, I think some of the stories are obviously fake/made up for the book. I’d give it less stars if I could.
  • W Book

    5
    By GoofyAhh4206921
    Saul Goodman Approves 👍🏻
  • Awesome read!

    5
    By cashmead23
    I am a fan!
  • Excellent work Trevor!!!

    5
    By Sunnylovejean
    I loved this book! The read was easy, clear, funny, sad, real, inspirational, and informative! Thank you for sharing your story ❤️
  • Great book.

    5
    By Vrwb223
    Very good and matter of fact. I enjoyed reading every page!!
  • Incredible autobiography

    5
    By YSSAR
    What an incredible life story! The things you never knew that you really should have known about South Africa: the people’s lives, the apartheid history - It’s a magical land that endured, as did its people. Trevor Noah imbued his story with so many deep emotions that I could literally see the stories he told. Five fabulous stars!
  • Educational and jaw dropping

    4
    By huntivcdrnligdru
    Eye opening story. Very good to learn about South Africa while reading Trevor’s story. I have so much respect for Trevor and his family

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