Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood (One World Essentials)

This is a delightful book everyone should take the time to read. If you have heard of Trevor Noah or seen him on tv, this book will leave you even more amazed when you learn about his upbringing and background. Trevor’s father is white, and his mother is black. Trevor was born in South Africa when apartheid was just coming to an end, but black and white people weren’t supposed to have children together. Trevor was, as the title says, born a crime. Trevor does a remarkable job retelling his personal history without any of it sounding cliché or boring. He jokes with us about traditions and foods and living arrangements, while casually leading us through some dark roads that are private and troubling. He even details some of his awkward attempts to date girls. But always he is teaching us about South African history in quick powerful jabs that directly correlate with specific events in his life. One of his favorite subjects throughout, because of his mother’s deeply religious stance on everything, is the curious nuances people had concerning faith in Christ and old superstitious habits. He often tested these boundaries with his mother and the older women who helped raise him. There are barely any men involved in his upbringing because of several factors, which he also discusses in the book. The first book he learned to read was the Bible. He read it in English. His mother wanted to make sure his first language was English. And unlike most people in South Africa, by attending different church services and events in so many different places, he learned to speak quite a few other languages. Because of the lighter color of his skin and his ability to speak many languages, he found he could blend into many groups without really becoming a member of any of them. The government, as a means of control, wanted everyone in groups. They continually forced people to register as white, black, colored, or Indian. And keeping people divided into groups by language was even more detrimental to change. And if you didn’t choose a group when in some government office, a clerk would look at you and decide which box you belonged in. At first his parents couldn’t even be seen in most public venues with him because of the color of his skin, even as a baby and small child. They hired others to walk with him as a caregiver and his parents couldn’t walk together or near him. If they went to cousins’ houses, even his grandparents, he’d have to stay indoors. They couldn’t let the authorities know he was mixed. In fact, his mother didn’t tell the hospital who his father was when he was born. The chief strength of this book, I believe, is how open and honest Trevor is about his relationship with his mother. They endured a great many things together. And although they never had much money or reliable transportation, she was determined to keep traveling to all these different churches. It was dangerous. There was a lot of violence on the road, but for his mother, all obstacles were the devil’s doing and Jesus would make a way. Trevor says in the book that “apartheid is sometimes called the Bloodless Revolution. It is called that because very little white blood was spilled. Black blood ran in the streets.” Trevor says his mother was hard on him, strict and disciplined. And he admits to being naughty and unruly, a real troublemaker. He talks openly about how he started pirating CDs and how he and his crew would hustle people in the streets with small loans paid with interest. His mother didn’t want him growing up believing there were any boundaries, despite all the obvious boundaries, so he used his creative energy to do things we would consider to be highly illegal. But as he says in the book, “crime succeeds because crime does the one thing the government doesn’t do: crime cares. Crime is grassroots. Crime looks for the young kids who need support and a lifting hand.” And he follows this up by saying “It’s easy to be judgmental about crime when you live in a world wealthy enough to be removed from it. But the hood taught me that everyone has different notions of right and wrong, different definitions of what constitutes a crime, and what level of crime they are willing to participate in.” In the streets, he spent time with teachers, clerks, business owners, bus drivers, gangsters, and crack addicts. There wasn’t a lot of difference between them. They all seemed to need each other as part of a simple ecosystem that operated under its own rules. He went to jail and he learned some valuable lessons from the people he grew up with in various cities and schools. He even gives us a sense of culture shock by talking about their perspective of history. For those in South Africa, names like Hitler and Mussolini didn’t carry the same ominous overtones they do to us, and so it wasn’t unusual to have acquaintances with these names, even friends. And there is one particular story about this in the book that will leave the reader’s mouth hanging open. For those raised in South Africa, they had other names they associated with genocide, like Cecil Rhodes. They weren’t taught history like the west. In fact, as he tells us, under apartheid, they didn’t learn any history, science, or civics. If you weren’t white, you were taught agriculture and hole digging. They didn’t expect the nonwhites to aspire to be anything but laborers. Trevor’s mother was lucky enough to have been raised in a mission school where a white pastor taught her English, allowing her later to learn how to become a secretary, which was unheard of for black women. There are so many interesting stories revealed in this book, including most harrowingly his broken relationship with his father and his stepfather, one of which ends in a violent, bloody situation that leaves the reader absolutely stunned. By the end of this book, I had tears in my eyes. Trevor had done such a great job of solidifying this wonderful bond he had with his mother, that the end of the book was a shock. It was not what I expected. It’s worth reading just to get to that great finish. This is truly a book about a son’s love for his mother. Giving your child a name that has a special meaning is important for families in South Africa. Trevor tells us that his mother once told him that she chose the name Trevor for him because it had no meaning in South Africa. “She wanted me to be free to go anywhere, do anything, be anyone.” “… don’t cry about your past. Life is full of pain. Let the pain sharpen you, but don’t hold onto it. Don’t be bitter.” I highly recommend this book. You will experience a great many emotions reading it. Five Stars!

This was the most incredible book I've ever read! The storytelling is incredible and draws you in fully. I laughed out loud and also cried. Amazing.

I love the way Trevor Noah writes and for a school reader it was exhalent and educational while being fun and humorous at the same time.

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.

I remember the first time I saw Trevor Noah sitting behind the desk of the Daily Show. He was replacing Jon Stewart. Where did they get this guy from? I thought. It wasn't long before I became a fan of his wit and humor. The Daily Show was in good hands. As much as I would have liked to have read about his rise through the comedy ranks and onto American television, this memoir covers his growing up in South Africa. We'll have to wait for his second memoir to catch up on his more recent escapades. For most of the book, I listened to the audiobook, which Trevor Noah narrates. The few times I read from the Kindle, I heard Trevor's voice. This is one book where the audiobook is the best way to enjoy this funny and heartfelt memoir. I don't think anyone else could have pulled it off as well as he did. One advantage of having Trevor as the narrator is that you get to hear him imitate the many characters in the book. It's like having Trevor sitting next to you in a bar and listening to him tell you his stories firsthand. I can't remember when I laughed so hard from a book. I know I caused a few stares at the gym as I listened in my earbuds. Because it's a memoir and not a stand-up routine, Trevor has time to set up each story. He carefully creates each character, describing their background and then mimicking their voice. He paints a picture that's easy to see. The story of him taking a crap in the kitchen and his blind grandmother sensing, or smelling that something wasn't right, had me laughing out loud. I can still hear his voice as he was tasked with having to say a prayer to rid the house of whatever demon had left a turd in the trash. Trevor owes a lot to his mom. She was the one constant in his life, a teacher, caregiver, and disciplinarian. Later in the book, Trevor talks about his brother Andrew, who had a different father. He describes how his mom treated Andrew differently and didn't spank him as much as she did him. When Trevor confronts his mom about this disparity in corporal punishment, his mom claims that Andrew is small and thin and Trevor has an ass made for whippings. As funny as the book is, it is also poignant and philosophical. Trevor talks about his short stint in jail after being arrested for car theft. He talks about how some parents, including his mom, would insist that their sons or daughters face the consequences of their misdeeds and not offer to help them in their time of need. While there may be a time for such tough love, Trevor explains that by not helping them, they risk setting their children up for a lifetime of difficulty. The book contains many lessons about racism and culture. Trevor, who grew up in South Africa during Apartheid, has the background to speak authoritatively about these subjects. But he does it through humor. I look forward to hearing more from Trevor Noah. In the meantime, listen to the audiobook.

Before he replaced Jon Stewart as the host of The Daily Show, Trevor Noah had a difficult childhood in both Apartheid and post-Apartheid South Africa. Having a white father and a black mother, Trevor was already the product of racist laws that could have kept him and his parents imprisoned for several years. He spent most of his childhood in hiding to evade the police, which included not being around his white father as often as he wanted in order to keep the subterfuge alive. With poverty, an abusive stepfather, and life in general working against him, Trevor still managed to keep his sense of humor intact with the help of his jovial, yet strict mother, who he credits as his number one fan. This glimpse into Trevor Noah’s life is as educational as it is entertaining. It’s a firsthand look into how structural racism worked in Apartheid-ruled South Africa and how it’s still alive in the world today. Racism isn’t just about calling somebody the N-word or beating black and colored people to death. It’s psychological torture as well. The whites in charge purposefully divided their non-white peers into separate groups and treated them as less than human. The education was watered down, the living conditions were crappy, poverty was by design, and violence became a social norm. None of that changed after Apartheid was over, in the same way that structural racism never ended after slavery in America. You can change the laws all you want, but the damage has already been done. The damage continues to be dealt in subtle ways behind the scenes of politics. The one thing we learn from history is that we learn nothing from history. Because Trevor grew up with an abusive stepfather named Abel, his memoir also gives us a glimpse into how psychologically torturous domestic violence is. Abel was regarded as a nice guy around town who would always help out those in need. That was the disguise he needed in order to secretly beat Trevor and his mother and get away with it every time. Trevor’s mother was met with skepticism from the police every time she tried to file a report. Abel would always be apologetic and life would go on happily for a while until the next beating. The scary thing about him was that he was always calm and collected when he struck his family. He wasn’t as psychotic as The Joker or dramatic as Darth Vader. He was just a regular guy with a good reputation outside of home. Even when he would drink himself into stupidity, he always came across as a cool guy. Those are the worst kinds of villains that are too realistic for superhero movies. Trevor Noah was haunted by this man’s evil deeds for many years to come. Abel is still walking around South Africa today as a free man. How sick is that? Through all of the racism, violence, and troubled times, Trevor Noah never let any of those things strip away his individuality, morals, or sense of humor, all of which he got from his loving disciplinarian mother. She always taught him how to question everything and never lose sight of who he was. And that’s the thing with Apartheid: the education quality for blacks and colored people is significantly reduced for the sake of maintaining the status quo. Without an educational mother who bought him books and allowed him to explore the world beyond his impoverished home, Trevor wouldn’t be the well-informed man he is today. There are none so blind as those who will not see, and Trevor Noah’s eyes were wide open. He had a rough childhood, but without it, his worldview would have been watered down to where he could never fill Jon Stewart’s shoes, let alone live his own way. Trevor lives life with no regrets and that’s something we all need to learn if we’re to move forward. The eye-opening educational aspects as well as the humorous writing style make Born a Crime a must-read for anybody who wants to explore the world without actually being in the crossfire of South African racism. Trevor Noah went through hell so that he could nourish the world with love and thoughtfulness. His story is genuine and his emotions are passionate. He could never be bitter, because bitterness would strip away everything he worked so hard to become. An extra credit grade is what this book deserves, nothing less, maybe more.

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.

Trevor Noah tells a tale of many twists and turns from being born a crime to becoming an international, comedicpolitical figure. I had stopped watching the Daily Show after Colbert moved to The Late Show. I didn't stop watching because of Trevor, but because I didn't have time for another show and I was an avid Colbert fan. Anyway, I'd catch an episode now and then and always enjoyed his quick wit and political slant on comedy. After Trump won the nomination, I found myself staying up late watching every liberal comedy show, just to find a shred of humor in an otherwise horrific period of time. I began to "need" to watch the Daily Show again. Trevor had an empathy for underdogs that I very much appreciated. I had heard his book advertised several times and had intended to read it for months. After Trump's inauguration I was more politically forlorn than ever. I attended a local Women's March and met a couple who highly recommended his book. I bought it that night and began reading it immediately. The book was gripping! It it brilliantly written and brings to light many social injustices that white people in the U.S. never have to face. I learned a great deal about apartheid and the history of South Africa. It also made me think about angles of history that I'd never considered. In my world, Hitler would never be socially accepted name to give a child. Even though where I grew up, I didn't know any Jews, I still knew about the heinous acts of Hitler and couldn't imagine meeting a "Hitler". In Trevor's world, the horrific connotation didn't exist, but rather it was a name of strength. He hadn't learned of German concentration camps and had witnesses his own countries' racial segregation and extermination campaign. Having a friend named Hitler was no big deal. That is just one of many thought-provoking stories within Trevor's life story. The book is full of endearing stories of finding humor in otherwise helpless, hopeless situations. It's a great read! I hope there is a sequel that covers his mother's recovery to his arrival on the Daily Show.

Trevor knows how to depict sad situations with comedy. Most of the stories told really resonate with the typical African society. Values are instilled in children at an early age. Trevor did you finally meet Zaheera again?

For months, I struggled to finish a single book—everything I picked up felt half-hearted and ended up abandoned. Then, a friend stepped in and urged me to read Born a Crime. Honestly, I wasn’t sure at first, but I finally gave it a shot, and wow—what a game-changer. Sometimes, the right recommendation is all you need, and this was exactly that. Once I started, I couldn’t put it down. This book isn’t just a read—it’s an experience. Born a Crime takes you on an emotional roller coaster, blending sharp sociopolitical insights with heartfelt personal stories about family, friendship, first love, crime, and unexpected chaos. The short, non-linear chapters somehow make it even more addictive, pulling you deeper into each story. It’s raw, hilarious, and deeply moving—a book that sticks with you long after you’ve turned the last page. Huge respect to the mom—she brought back memories of my own past. This book is absolutely fascinating, offering a deep dive into the world of non-white life in South Africa, especially in the years following apartheid. It captures the tribal and urban complexities of South Africa, painting a vivid picture of life in a very third-world setting. What’s incredible is how the book weaves all these elements together, not to brag, but to celebrate resilience and achievement over ego. Every single incident—whether light and humorous or deeply sobering—delivers one unshakable truth: in South Africa, race shapes everything. This is a story that entertains, educates, and leaves a lasting impression.

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

Superb! I couldn’t put this book down until it was finished, both funny and heartbreaking. I could hear Trevor Noah’s voice and that of his mother reading the book, such was my absorption in the story, a remarkable rags to riches story, triumph over adversity. I learned, I laughed, and I was moved and inspired. What a book! What a life!!!

Trevor Noah ha sido uno de mis presentadores favoritos de Late Night Show en Estados Unidos y uno de mis cómicos favoritos. Tiene una gran capacidad de escritura como comediante, pero este libro fue realmente una sorpresa. El libro está muy bien escrito y ha puesto todo su corazón y sentimientos en el libro. Explica todo el camino que tuvo que recorrer como persona mestiza en Sudáfrica hasta convertirse en uno de los cómicos de más éxito del mundo. Su estilo de escritura te permite conectar con él, empatizar con él y experimentar su viaje. El libro es ligero a veces y divertido, pero muy sombrío y oscuro en otras ocasiones. Es un libro con una profundidad real y las luchas de Trevor y de muchas otras personas que viven en Sudáfrica durante y después del apartheid. Todo lo que digo es que le den una oportunidad a este libro y no se arrepentirán.