Born A Crime is a humorous memoir highlighting the (early) life of Trevor Noah in South Africa during the apartheid. Trevor Noah wrote about his struggles as a mixed race child living in a country where white people and Blacks are not allowed to mingle socially. While showing readers Apartheid South Africa through the lens of his naughty and eventful childhood, we are exposed to very much important history lessons and this is what I deem an all-rounder book.
Born A Crime explores various themes and amongst them are apartheid, classism, racism, patriarchy, violence, drug use, identity, poverty, religion and many more. One of my favorite quotes from this book is:
“Abel wanted a traditional marriage with a traditional wife. For a long time I wondered why he ever married a woman like my mom in the first place, as she was the opposite of that in every way. If he wanted a woman to bow to him, there were plenty of girls back in Tzaneen raised solely for that purpose. The way my mother always explained it, the traditional man wants a woman to be subservient, by he never falls in love wit subservient women. He’s attracted to independent women. “He’s like an exotic bird collector,” she said. “He only wants a woman who is free because his dream is to put her in a cage.”
I also particular liked that Trevor Noah talked about his mother, Patricia. Patrica is the epitome of African mothers. Funny, stubborn, religious while still being caring and loving. I loved reading about her and she was a total vibe.
The writing style Trevor Noah adopted in this book is very much easy and it feels like a someone telling a story of their life, which is what the book is about. It does not feel like a preachy book or a self help book. Trevor Noah’s voice in this book is authentic and absolutely engaging.
Should You Read?
If you love to read memoirs, I don’t see why you should waste time and not pick this up immediately. It’s a refreshing book that will make you laugh many times and also open your mind. I totally recommend.