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A review by chamomiledaydreams
Born a Crime: Stories From a South African Childhood by Trevor Noah
dark
emotional
funny
medium-paced
3.0
I know Trevor Noah from his various comedy routines online, and because my mom and I are currently on a memoir kick, we decided to read "Born a Crime" together. This book addresses some heavy themes and downright terrifying situations, from the history of apartheid in South Africa to the violent acts committed by Trevor Noah's abusive stepfather.
That isn't to say that this memoir is without humor. Trevor Noah includes some personal anecdotes that made my mom and me laugh out loud. I literally had to pause while reading to catch my breath. Trevor Noah uses his unique comedic flair to keep the story engaging and relatively lighthearted, all while teaching readers about South African history and racism. He achieves a great tonal balance, keeping his memoir personal while also touching upon larger themes and issues.
The chapters certainly get dark and dismal at times, but it's fascinating to see how the Noah family uses humor as a coping mechanism, and it's easy to understand how such a childhood resulted in the comedian I've seen so often on TV. I would recommend this memoir to anyone familiar with Trevor Noah's work, who's interested in learning more about his family life and childhood.
That isn't to say that this memoir is without humor. Trevor Noah includes some personal anecdotes that made my mom and me laugh out loud. I literally had to pause while reading to catch my breath. Trevor Noah uses his unique comedic flair to keep the story engaging and relatively lighthearted, all while teaching readers about South African history and racism. He achieves a great tonal balance, keeping his memoir personal while also touching upon larger themes and issues.
The chapters certainly get dark and dismal at times, but it's fascinating to see how the Noah family uses humor as a coping mechanism, and it's easy to understand how such a childhood resulted in the comedian I've seen so often on TV. I would recommend this memoir to anyone familiar with Trevor Noah's work, who's interested in learning more about his family life and childhood.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, and Animal cruelty