Born a Crime by Trevor Noah

To say that I am a huge fan of Trevor Noah is an understatement!

I thoroughly enjoyed this; part memoir, part history - his story, the story of his youth. He writes about his birth, childhood, teen years, and early adulthood from the point of view of a mixed race child born during apartheid right through the first democratic election hence the title, Born A Crime.
Everything we see of Noah is a product of his colourful and somewhat painful childhood. Do not be mistaken, he doesn’t see it as painful. He has a unique quality; where he embraces’ every situation to see its humour.

He had me rolling in hysterics; some of the stories will be familiar to reader if you have enjoyed his early stand up career. It is quite something when strangers try not to stare too hard at the crazy woman sitting alone and laughing out loud to herself.

There is a truly heart-warming relationship between himself and his mum which transcends the regular.  This book is a tribute to her strength and influence on his life. It is a well written, sometimes thoughtful and mostly humorous insight into one of South Africa’s famous children.

My favourite excerpts from Born A Crime are; when his mother & grandmother try to exorcise a “demon” from his home and his visit with his dance crew to perform at a Jewish school for a cultural exhibition.

Had he not followed the path that took him to where he is today, I have no doubt that Trevor Noah would have been a notorious pyro-maniac!