Born of crime

Born a Crime presents the compelling, inspiring, and hilarious story of Trevor Noah, one of today's greatest comedians, from his childhood and youth, set during the final years of apartheid and the tumultuous days of freedom that followed.

Trevor Noah's extraordinary journey—from his childhood under apartheid in South Africa to hosting one of the most important talk shows in the United States—began with a criminal act: his birth. Trevor was born to a white father and a black mother, at a time when such a union was punishable by five years in prison. Living proof of a crime, he was kept secret, one of the extreme measures his mother was forced to take to hide him from the government, which could have taken him at any moment. Finally free with the end of apartheid, Trevor and his mother embark on a grand adventure, embracing the opportunities gained after centuries of struggle.

Born of Crime is the story of a restless young man who feels out of place in both white neighborhoods and black suburbs. It's also the story of this young man's relationship with his fearless, rebellious, and fervently religious mother—a woman determined to save her son from the cycle of poverty, violence, and abuse.

Trevor Noah's stories are hilarious, dramatic, and deeply moving. Whether it's eating caterpillars during tough times, being thrown from a moving car during a kidnapping attempt, or simply surviving the pitfalls of high school dating, Trevor illuminates his world with honesty and biting humor. His writing intertwines to form a moving and entertaining portrait of a boy trying to navigate life in turbulent times, armed only with a sharp sense of humor and the unconditional love of his unusual mother.

“A compelling memoir. At once alarming, sad, and funny, Born a Crime is not only a stunning account of growing up in South Africa under apartheid, but a love letter to the author's remarkable mother.” — Michiko Kakutani, The New York Times

What makes Born a Crime such a delightful, soul-nourishing read—even with all its dark undertones and dangerous plot twists—is watching Noah share, in her lithe, warmly conversational prose, how she learned to navigate bullying and rejection. It also helped to have a mother like Patricia Nombuyiselo Noah. Consider Born a Crime a gift to her—and a huge gift to the rest of us. —USA Today