Summary: Born a Crime

by Trevor Noah

Count your blessings every single day.
Trevor Noah never had an easy life growing up. Growing up as the son of an illegal birth, Trevor had to be hidden away every time and his existence should never be known.
Born a Crime is Trevor Noah’s brave and inspiring journey towards adulthood as he was finally liberated by the end of South Africa’s tyrannical white rule. How did a boy who has been running and hiding away all his life manage to achieve such great success ?

Born a Crime is a book of a mischievous boy’s journey towards greatness. Filled with emotions, Born a Crime made it to become the #1 New York Times Bestseller. This inspirational and compelling story will never let you down.

Genres: Biography

37 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 13, 2017

About the author

Trevor Noah is one of the most successful comedians in the world and was the host of the Emmy® Award-winning “The Daily Show” on Comedy Central for seven years. Under Trevor, “The Daily Show with Trevor Noah” broke free from the restraints of a 30-minute linear show, producing engaging social content, award-winning digital series, podcasts and more for its global audience. Last year, “The Daily Show with Trevor Noah” landed a record number of seven Emmy Award nominations.

Trevor is the author of the #1 New York Times bestseller “Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood” and its young readers adaptation, released in 2019, “It’s Trevor Noah: Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood,” which also debuted as a New York Times bestseller. The Audible edition of “Born a Crime,” performed by Trevor, was produced by Audible and remains one of the top-selling, highest-rated, and most-commented-on Audible performances of all time. To date, “Born a Crime” has sold over 3 million copies across all formats.

Reviews

[Marin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks God, I did not live in an apartheid country, but as the child of a poor family in a communist dictatorship (yes, Communism is not a classless society!) I can confirm that if your parent(s) love you and the family tries to do their best in the situation, and enjoy the little bits that can be enjoyed, you can have a happy childhood even in bad circumstances.
The story is endearing, I enjoyed his little adventures and he seems to be the same nice and likeable liberal persona who doesn’t want to rock the boat I saw in one of his stand-up shows on Netflix.
Nevertheless, as I progressed, I felt that something is missing in the story, I don’t know what, and I lost the interest.

[Susan Stans · Rating 5 out of 5]

I haven't been so impressed with a book in a very long time. His book and Trevor's incredible outlook on life and his storytelling turns the book into a hit. And gives you something to think about and gratitude for his talent.

[Darius Brumskill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Trevor Noah's overall message in "Born a Crime" is a compelling example of courage, resilience, and the power of education to overcome a corrupt system built on inequality and racism. In the book, Trevor recaps the struggles he endured while "[growing] up in South Africa during apartheid" (Noah 21). Making it very hard for him to survive in South Africa because he was illegal. Since his Xhosa mother, Patricia, is black, and his father, Robert, is Swiss-German.

Trevor uses rhetorical appeal throughout the book to strike the reader's attention in various ways. One of the most prominent appeals he applies to his story is ethos. A way he incorporated that was through his mother's teachings, specifically the truth about Christianity. Giving him the courage and strength to face any situation. Trevor highlighted "In Soweto, religion filled the void left by absent men. I used to ask my mom if it was hard for her to raise me" (Noah 39). His mother replied to him declaring, "Just because I live without a man does not mean I have never had a husband. God is my husband" (Noah 39).

On a personal level I learned a lot about South Africa in general. How life was like for Trevor and his mom during the 80's to early 2000's. The struggles he faced because he was colored, not black nor white. That the apartheid actually started "all the way back in 1652, when the Dutch East India Company landed at the Cape of Good Hope and established a trading colony, Kaapstad, later known as Cape Town" (Noah 19). Lastly, relating to Trevor Noah on a social aspect because I too am from a mixed-raced family. That my mom would at times get bullied by my Pop-Pop because she was white, and that my father did not remarry a black woman. That my friends just say I am black, but forget the part I am also half white. In addition, I could be "dark chocolate" to white friends, yet still be "light-skinned" or "milk chocolate" to my black family side. In the end, I loved that Trevor was honest in his book, showing the hardships of an apartheid South Africa, as well as being of mixed-race. In addition, incorporating his religious upbringing, and that his faith in Jesus was shaped by his loving mother.

[Amelia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a great read, not something I usually read or have read about. Trevor Noah takes readers on an unforgettable journey through his turbulent South African childhood during the apartheid era.

The title, "Born a Crime," expresses the essence of his life as the child of a black mother and a white father, a literal crime in apartheid South Africa. What sets this book apart is Noah's ability to include laughter in the darkest moments. His stories about his formidable mother, Patricia Nombuyiselo Noah, throughout the whole book, add great depth and detail to his narrative, showing her unwavering love and influence on Noah.

“Born a Crime" doesn't just entertain; it educates. Noah digs deep into South Africa's painful history, providing an unfiltered perspective on the impact of apartheid which was the policy of segregation of races in South Africa. Noah showcases his great resilience in this adversity through his humor which has helped him through racism, poverty, and violence in his life.

Overall, it's a captivating, thought-provoking, and heartwarming read that lingers in your thoughts long after you've turned the last page.

[Yondell Abrams · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading this book I have been able to get information on events that happened in other parts of the world. The American school system only really informs you on the events that took place in America. This book shed light on other bad things that happened in the world. I did not know about the South African apartheid. Trevor Noah also had opened the world to South Africa’s past with his own story. He was the product of an interracial couple and that caused a lot of challenges in his childhood. He had to grow up without a father in his childhood and he had to go place to place with his mother so that they could stay alive. He had to learn how to read and basic education from encyclopedias his mother bought with extra money. He experienced a lot of tragedy in his childhood including his mother being abused and his identification with race. I rated this book four stars because he shined light on the rest of the world's problems while adding in his own experiences.

[Atika Saleem · Rating 4 out of 5]

I feel like this book greatly demonstrates the importance of determination and perseverance. Ever since Patricia was a child, she was able to develop skills of survival as well as being able to persist through the hardships and sadness she was put through. As she had grew and further honed her abilities, she went out into the world and had put herself into risky situations courageously. For example, she she moved to Johannesburg even though she knew it was illegal for a black person to do and further worsening the situation, she was an independent women and it was not expected of a woman to do this. Patricia also instills these traits of courage and risk-taking in Trevor as well. Patricia is aware of all the risks and consequences that can come from her actions, yet she perseveres because she believes that actions will continue to provide the most opportunity for her family.

[Alan Menachemson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great story. Makes Trevor so likable that the reader longs to meet him. The books jumps around a lot and it’s gaps (despite obviously good editing) are frustrating. Still, recommended, especially for South Africans who lived through the past few decades

[Reyre thunder · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is absolutely amazing.
It was originally bought for my parents
But I couldn’t resist the urge of reading it
I loved all the little stories and adventures he has and he has described them to be absolutely amazing

Love you and your humour Trevor

[Diane Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read!


I would recommend. It's was interesting reading this book. Also check out Noah on comedy central and if you get a chance his comedy shows are good and funny.

[Christy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Noah writes of his childhood in South Africa as a "Colored" boy, born to a Black mother and a white father. I really learned a ton about Apartheid and generational poverty.

[SA Jenkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny as all hell. It also helped me in understanding religion. Mrs. Noah is my favorite non-character character to exist.

[Princeton · Rating 5 out of 5]

excellent to learn about the South African heritage

[Shaun Fedrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was hilarious. I highly recommend listening to the audio book Trevor Noah has such excellent comedic timing and a way with accents.

[AnnKristin]

Greit med kjapp oppsummering, men blir nok ikke like engasjerende som selve boka.

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