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Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood
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Original price was: $18.00.$10.09Current price is: $10.09.
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#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
“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.
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Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood
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Original price was: $18.00.$10.09Current price is: $10.09.
Balanandam K –
I learned about Noah through gatesnotes.com, where Bill Gates shares his thoughts on books and many other things, and I was instantly intrigued by this book and immediately added it to my wish list. Since then, it has been on my wish list for a long time. Finally, I was able to read it.
One of the most compelling aspects of the book is Noah’s relationship with his mother, Patricia Nombuyiselo Noah. She emerges as a formidable and loving presence, whose strength, faith, and unyielding principles profoundly influence Noah’s development. Their dynamic is at once heartwarming and heartbreaking, offering readers a poignant look at the sacrifices and struggles of a single mother in a repressive society.
It offers invaluable insights into the realities of life under apartheid and the transitional period that followed its dismantling. Noah’s firsthand accounts provide a vivid and personal perspective on the social and political landscape of South Africa, making the book not just a memoir but also an important historical document.
Many events in my life are related to Noah’s life. Like his mother, my mother was a strong and staunch supporter of discipline and morals, but not religious like Patricia. It is because of her that I am where I am today.
Thank you!
Duane Schneider –
I didn’t have many expectations going into “Born a Crime,” which is maybe the right approach for a memoir. I knew only that Noah had become the host of “The Daily Show,” and I was rooting for him as a relative unknown stepping into some big shoes. He seemed funny and charismatic, and I knew he was South African, but after reading “Born a Crime,” I’m so much more impressed by its author. One expectation I had for the book was that it would be funny, which it is in many parts. Noah’s writing style is not just conversational but natural; he is obviously a born storyteller. But he also structures the book in such a way that it builds and builds. Every story has a purpose, even the hilarious story of how, as a boy, Noah decided to poop in his kitchen. It’s a story that ultimately depicts not only the poverty of his upbringing but also the superstitious nature of those around him. A refrain in “Born a Crime” is that when people have nothing, they must rely on faith. For Noah, that was always faith in his mother; for his mother, it was faith in God. It’s truly a miracle that Noah has succeeded to the degree he has. I’ve read a lot of memoirs that left me wondering why the writer felt compelled to share his/her story, but there was none of that here. It begins with the title. Noah’s birth, to a black mother and white father, was literally a criminal act in apartheid South Africa. His whole life growing up, Noah is an outcast. He doesn’t seem to fit in with any group. And he grew up in abject poverty. Some of us think we have an idea what it might be like to be poor, but Noah lived it. At times his family ate goat eyeballs, worms, and scraps meant for dogs to survive. When he stayed with his grandmother, they shared a latrine with other families. I feel fortunate to have found this book but especially to have read it during a period of racial unrest in America. Noah experienced and witnessed severe racism in the era of apartheid and the period following its end. Each of his chapters begins with a brief discourse on race and its broader implications. Noah has gained such a nuanced understanding of the topic. One of his stories–about how a black dance group he helped form with a star dancer named Hitler went to dance at a white Jewish school–was almost unbelievable for the way it mixed history with racism and classism. But the real heart of “Born a Crime” is Noah’s mother. She is a free spirit and independent thinker, and it’s obvious that her determination is what drives Noah to break the cycle of poverty and racism, to avoid paying what he refers to as the “black tax.” Noah gives examples from his own experience to show that poor black people need more than just some moral support. As he writes, if you give a man a fish, he will eat for a day. If you teach him to fish, he will eat for a lifetime. But it also helps to give him a fishing pole. That really stuck with me. In South Africa, blacks were graduating high school, but if they didn’t look the right way or talk the right way, they still couldn’t find work. In this book, we see the unfairness of the police state and the criminal justice system–most powerfully, as it applies to Noah’s mother, who tries to have her husband arrested repeatedly for physical abuse, to no avail. This problem leads to a shocking conclusion to “Born a Crime.” Again, all I can say is that I can’t believe Noah survived the circumstances of his own upbringing, and I thank him for sharing his life in this powerful book. It’s a story that needed to be told. My only complaint is not really a complaint, but the book runs from the author’s birth to his early twenties, when he is still a rising comedian in South Africa. I’d love to see a sequel showing how Noah came the rest of the way from up-and-comer to host of “The Daily Show.” I’m sure that’s another journey well worth taking.
Jheanell H. –
This book is absolutely glorious. I’m so in love right now, I can barely function. This memoir is unquestionable one of the most engaging books I’ve ever read, filled with such greatly vivid and riveting anecdotes, made more profound and unforgettable by the fact that they’re true.
I don’t watch The Daily Show, other than a few occasional clips on social media, and I never followed this guy before, so I decided to read this book solely because of the title. I love it. Born a Crime—it just feels meaningful. And, it is meaningful. I’m walking away from this experience knowing now that I love Trevor Noah. I love his writing and I love his wit. He is a fantastic storyteller who told of his childhood, one that was layered heavily with sadness, but for the majority of the time while reading his journey, I felt joyous.
This memoir is a compilation of notable anecdotes, mixed in with short passages of African history for context against the very special circumstances of Trevor’s birth and childhood. Let me tell you, his childhood is better than any fiction and there are too many humorous and affecting moments to count. Some of my favorites include, the time when a criminal, young Trevor, who was being held prisoner in his Grandmother’s house (for his own good), crawled through a hole under a fence to get to freedom. Then, there’s the time when his first dog, Fufi, taught him his first lesson in love and betrayal. Or, the time when, after growing up on the kind of creative diet that only the very poor are weaned on, Trevor was left completely unimpressed with high cuisine meals such as bone marrow, which are no different or better than the dog bones he ate at home. For more funny and interesting stories, read this book!
Born a Crime begins before his birth, when his impetuous and wise mother convinced her kind, white neighbor to give her a baby, during a time when there were strictly enforced laws that prohibited intercourse between Natives and Europeans. The stories he describe span from that time to the end of Apartheid, and further to a time when blacks and coloreds were free to live the life they could wrangle from the system.
Trevor’s—I’m calling him Trevor because I feel like I know him now. His thoughts on race and power are spot on and made more impressive because of his ability to use humor to show the illogical and ridiculous nature of the whole enterprise. Trevor is very smart, and a very adept communicator. There isn’t a single part of this memoir that doesn’t pierce you, wound you with truths, yet it soothes you with humor. I laughed because it was impossible not to. I laughed so hard that I cried, and then I cried because I had to cry.
Trevor grew up on a divided country, and the numerous poignant moments show clearly a boy caught between the many cultures of South Africa, which he navigated by becoming a chameleon, fitting in everywhere and nowhere at the same time. He adapted to each new situation as many entertainers do, by being whoever the people want them to be. That’s not to say that Trevor is disingenuous in any way; no, he’s observant, and his musings on life and relationships make it apparent that he has a damn good understanding of the human condition.
What is most lovely about his coming-of-age story is how Trevor speaks about his mother. His mom features largely in his story, and his love and respect for her is obvious, not only in his words, but in the actions he describes. Their bond is a tangible thing, and the most moving pockets of this book are the ones filled with his mom.
Honestly, this memoir is so brilliantly insightful that there are many many pages I marked, so many gems and memories I’ve saved to revisit again and again. I don’t read a lot of biographies, preferring fiction to real life, but I’m insanely delighted that I strayed from my norm and read Born a Crime. I recommend this book to anyone and everyone, sincerely, because it is truly glorious.
Audiobook notes: Just perfect. Trevor Noah pulls you in with his animated voice and more than brings this story to life.
Diaz –
Älskar
wantoun –
Very well written and enjoyable to read.
Trevor is able to educate and pass many messages through a simple and numerous style.
Yvonne –
I absolutely love this book!
“Born a Crime” is an incredible book! Trevor Noah’s writing style and storytelling are both captivating and insightful. He skillfully blends humor with detailed accounts of his life, delivering powerful messages along the way. The book offers profound insights into experiences many of us may/may not have lived through and might or might not relate to. The book provides a deep understanding and sheds light on the mindset of those who perpetuate racism and other societal injustices. A must-read for anyone seeking a profound and entertaining narrative. Highly recommended!
Oaka –
With humor and grace, Trevor Noah describes what things can happen to you when the regime considers your existence a crime. Apardheit Sounds to someone who never delt with it, lik sadistic whites that are drunk on power. But its very complicated, because the natives were seperatet and given different priviliges to. The sheer will to survive and the training that growing up running is, let Trevor live to this das which we all are, or at least should be thankful for.
Amazon Customer –
This is 4 1/2 stars for me. An excellent book and very interesting read about a boy growing up in South Africa who is mixed race. He doesn’t really fit anywhere as he’s not black, he’s not white and he’s not part of the mulato group either. I loved hearing how that society functioned and everything he ran into. I didn’t realize that South Africa is so tribal – even amongst the natives there are different tribes that have prejudices and attitudes towards each other. Overall a great read and an exciting book. It’s very enjoyable and eye opening as Trevor Noah brings a nice perspective. I loved his mother – she is someone I’d love to meet as she is so interesting. Reminds me that people are like diamonds with many faucets to them.
jackey –
I just devoured this book. Funny, moving, interesting. An amusing biography, beautifully written, with a sense of humour typical of the comedian Trevor is. Also, I didn’t know much of the reality before, during and after Apartheid and this book reveals a lot about it from the point of view of the oppressed. But it is also a story about what true education is, about the importance of freedom and Independence. It’s a hymn to life and motherhood