Born a Crime: Stories From a South African Childhood by Trevor Noah
Born a Crime: Stories From a South African Childhood by Trevor Noah
This is such a great
collection of essays. Just enough comedy to make light of some extremely tough
situations, with amazing insight into social issues that resonant across every
boundary. Born A Crime: Stories From a South
African Childhood is the story of Trevor Noah’s life growing up in South
Africa with the apartheid finally ending. With his birth being that of a
literal crime is where these essays begin and we travel with him throughout his
life, following through his trials and tribulations, the difficulties of
growing up a poor “colored” child in South Africa, trying to negotiate a social
scene that he never necessarily fit into.
I was genuinely surprised to
learn so much about Noah and his experiences in South Africa. Part of it has to
do with how little I know of the apartheid in South Africa. The other part has
to do with how much shit Noah experienced throughout his life. If you had told
me that one of these essays would deal with his experience in lock up awaiting
bail hearings I would never have laughed. Instead I laughed nonstop while
reading about his experience waiting for a bail hearing. And as funny as this
book is, I don’t want to take away how amazing his social commentary is. Noah
is able to dismantle in the most succinct way possible the racism, classism and
systematic oppression he experienced. So much of it resonates with my own
experience growing up in the states.
I recommend this book. It’s
highly entertaining but also deeply moving. Noah is also a really talented
writer whose essays were cohesive and flowed together beautifully. I give this
4 out of 5 stars.
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