Summary
Born a Crime is a compelling memoir by renowned comedian Trevor Noah, detailing his extraordinary childhood in apartheid South Africa. Published in 2016, the book quickly became a New York Times bestseller and garnered widespread critical acclaim. Noah's unique perspective as a mixed-race child born to a Black mother and white father during a time when such unions were illegal provides a poignant and often humorous insight into a tumultuous period in South African history.
The audiobook version of Born a Crime, narrated by Noah himself, has received particular praise. It won the Audie Award for Best Male Narrator in 2018, with Noah's ability to effortlessly switch between accents and dialects in English, Xhosa, and Zulu earning him accolades. The audiobook also topped Audible’s list of the Best Celebrity Memoirs of 2016 and was named the highest-rated new book of the year.
Plot
In Born a Crime, Trevor Noah recounts his childhood in South Africa during apartheid and his coming of age after the policy was abolished. As the son of a Black Xhosa mother and a white Swiss-German father, Noah's very existence was illegal under apartheid laws. The book opens with a dramatic scene of his mother throwing him from a moving van to protect him from potential violence.
Growing up, Noah was often kept indoors to hide him from authorities who could have taken him away. His mother, a devoutly religious and fiercely independent woman, raised him primarily on her own with help from his grandmother. They lived in Soweto, a Black township, where Noah learned to navigate the complex racial dynamics of South African society.
As apartheid ended, Noah and his mother experienced new freedoms but also new challenges. The book details Noah's mischievous nature and his various schemes to make money, including selling pirated CDs. It also recounts his struggles with identity as a mixed-race child who didn't fully fit into any racial category in post-apartheid South Africa.
The memoir culminates with a harrowing account of Noah's stepfather shooting his mother in the head. Miraculously, she survived the attack. Throughout the book, Noah's relationship with his courageous and determined mother forms the emotional core of the story, illustrating how her love and sacrifice shaped his life and worldview.
Themes
Identity and racial discrimination in apartheid South Africa
Mother-son relationship and maternal influence
Resilience and adaptability in the face of adversity
Power of language and education
Religion and its role in shaping character
Coming of age and self-discovery
Domestic violence and its impact on families
Setting
Born a Crime is set primarily in South Africa during the twilight years of apartheid and the tumultuous period that followed its dismantling. The story begins in the mid-1980s when Trevor Noah was born to a Black Xhosa mother and a white Swiss-German father—an illegal union at the time. The backdrop of racial segregation and systemic oppression forms a stark contrast to Noah's experiences as a mixed-race child navigating a complex social landscape.
The memoir's setting shifts between various locations within South Africa, with a focus on Johannesburg and its surrounding areas. Noah's early years are spent largely indoors to conceal his existence from authorities. As apartheid laws relax, the narrative expands to encompass life in Soweto, a township southwest of Johannesburg, where Noah lives with his mother and grandmother. The bustling streets of Alexandra, a notoriously dangerous neighborhood, also feature prominently as Noah ventures into entrepreneurship.
Throughout the book, the evolving political and social climate of South Africa serves as a dynamic backdrop. From the rigid racial classifications of apartheid to the chaotic freedom of the post-apartheid era, the setting reflects a nation in transition. Noah's personal journey is intrinsically linked to these broader changes, offering readers a vivid portrayal of life in South Africa during this pivotal period in its history.
Characters
Trevor Noah: The author. Born to a Black Xhosa mother and a white Swiss-German father during apartheid, Trevor navigates life as a mixed-race child in South Africa. He is intelligent, resourceful, and often mischievous, using his wit and language skills to overcome challenges. Trevor's experiences shape his perspective on race, identity, and society.
Patricia Nombuyiselo Noah: Trevor's mother. Strong-willed, independent, and deeply religious, Patricia raises Trevor with tough love and unwavering determination. She instills in him a sense of pride, resilience, and faith, while fiercely protecting him from the dangers of apartheid South Africa.
Abel: Trevor's stepfather. A volatile and abusive alcoholic, Abel poses a constant threat to Trevor and his mother. His actions culminate in a shocking act of violence against Patricia.
Andrew: Trevor's biological father. A Swiss-German expatriate who maintains a distant but caring relationship with Trevor. He provides financial support and occasional outings but remains largely absent from Trevor's day-to-day life.
Grandmother Frances Noah: Patricia's mother and Trevor's maternal grandmother. A loving and supportive presence, she helps raise Trevor and provides a stable home environment in Soweto.
MLungisi: Trevor's younger brother. Born after apartheid, he has a different experience growing up than Trevor and represents the changing dynamics in post-apartheid South Africa.
Teddy: Trevor's childhood best friend. He plays a significant role in Trevor's adventures and misadventures during their youth.
Quick facts
Born a Crime spent 26 weeks on The New York Times bestseller list for hardcover nonfiction.
Trevor Noah was born to a Black Xhosa mother and a white Swiss-German father in South Africa during apartheid.
The book’s title refers to the fact that Noah's birth was literally a crime, violating apartheid laws.
Noah dedicated the book to his mother, Patricia, whom he calls his “teammate."
Born a Crime is written as a series of essays rather than a traditional chronological narrative.
Noah speaks eight languages, which he frequently demonstrates in his performance of the audiobook version of Born a Crime.
First Lady Jill Biden assigned Born a Crime as required reading for one of her English courses.
Born a Crime has been used as a clue in The New York Times crossword puzzle three times since its publication.
US Senator Tammy Duckworth cited Born a Crime as inspiration for writing her own memoir.
Lupita Nyong'o is set to play Noah's mother Patricia in a film adaptation of the book.
About the Author
Trevor Noah is a South African-born comedian, writer, producer, political commentator, and actor. He rose to international fame as the host of The Daily Show on Comedy Central from 2015 to 2022. Noah was born in Johannesburg in 1984 to a Black Xhosa mother and a white Swiss-German father, when interracial relationships were illegal. His early life under apartheid and experiences growing up as a mixed-race child in South Africa heavily influenced his comedy and worldview, as well as inspired his New York Times bestselling and award-winning memoir, Born a Crime (2016).
Noah began his career in South Africa in the early 2000s, hosting radio shows and television programs before transitioning to stand-up comedy. He gained popularity for his observational comedy about race, politics, and culture. After moving to the United States in 2011, he became a recurring contributor on The Daily Show before taking over as host from Jon Stewart in 2015. During his seven-year tenure, he brought a fresh global perspective to American late-night comedy and expanded the show's digital presence.
Throughout his career, Noah has used his platform to address important social and political issues, often drawing on his unique background and experiences. He has won numerous awards for his work, including Emmy and NAACP Image Awards. In 2018, TIME magazine named him one of the 100 Most Influential People in the World. After leaving The Daily Show in 2022, Noah has continued to perform stand-up comedy internationally. He launched a podcast, What Now? With Trevor Noah, in 2023.
