Born a Crime

Born a Crime
Trevor Noah
Star Rating
★★★★★
Reviewer's Rating
Sep 29, 2023

Born a Crime by Trevor Noah is a compelling memoir that explores the comedian's remarkable life growing up in apartheid-era South Africa. The book provides a unique perspective on the racial and social complexities of the country's history as Noah, a mixed-race child, navigates the challenges of being born to a black mother and a white father, a union that was illegal at the time. Noah's witty and insightful storytelling combines humor with poignant reflections on identity, family, and the power of language to bridge divides. Through his experiences, you can gain a deeper understanding of the resilience and humor that helped Noah rise above adversity to become the successful comedian and host of The Daily Show that he is today. 

The most compelling aspect of the book for me was Noah's ability to blend humor with the harsh realities of growing up in apartheid South Africa. He has a gift for making you laugh on one page and then deeply reflecting on the injustice and discrimination he faced on the next. His storytelling is both entertaining and thought-provoking, and his insights into race, identity, and family are incredibly powerful. I wasn’t disappointed with this book at all. This book was very unique and it really shows how bad Apartheid was, but also the lessons he gained from it. I would recommend Born a Crime to anyone who enjoys memoirs, especially those with a unique and engaging perspective on social and political issues. It's not just for fans of comedy; it's a book that has something important to say about the human experience and the strength of the human spirit. Whether you're familiar with Trevor Noah's work or not, I would recommend it to anyone looking for an inspiring and thought-provoking read.

Written by
Mahad Z.

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