Born a Crime – Stories from a South African Childhood

Title: Born a Crime – Stories from a South African Childhood

Author: Trevor Noah

ISBN: 9780385689229

Publication year: 2016

Content: „Born a Crime – Stories from a South African Childhood“ is the biography of the successful comedian and host of the „Daily Show“, Trevor Noah. It offers readers an insight into his childhood as a light-skinned boy during the final years of apartheid in South Africa, a system that racially segregated the population to preserve the power of the White minority.

18 chapters, split up in three parts, cover the multiple facets of Trevor Noah’s upbringing by his devoted mother, Patricia Noah, as well as his youth experiences. Each chapter is prefaced with additional information, mostly factual and historical context, providing background for the following narrative. The biography doesn’t follow a chronological order but is organized thematically.

Trevor Noah addresses topics such as growing up under a racially discriminating system, struggling to fit into a divided and often rejecting society, living on the breadline, coping with domestic violence and being involved in criminality.

Opinion: Trevor Noah’s light-hearted writing style brings his biography to life. He recounts his childhood from his present-day perspective, reflecting on formative moments with vividness and irony. Through embedded dialogues and a detailed narration, Noah recreates childhood scenes in a remarkably authentic way. His biography combines entertaining content with educational insights, creating a varied and engaging reading experience.

Some anecdotes, in my opinion, were somewhat lengthy, and his writing style occasionally tended to be repetitive. I was also disappointed that he did not describe the path that led him to become the host of an acclaimed television show.

Nevertheless, the book offers an enjoyable reading experience, providing firsthand insights into the final days of apartheid and its aftermath.

Conclusion: Overall, Trevor Noah has written an unvarnished and thought-provoking biography that narrates his challenging childhood in South Africa in a refreshing way. It is a truly inspiring and recommendable read!

Score: ⭐⭐⭐⭐️