Born a Crime
Wow. Best book I’ve read in ages. I’ve been (as always) reading lots of books, often (okay, always) more than one at a time, but it’s been a while since I’ve finished a book and said, “Wow! That was amazing.”
Born a Crime is a memoir of Trevor Noah’s life in South Africa at the end of apartheid. The stories range from humorous and heartfelt to shocking and contemplative. Throughout, the author emphasizes the power of language and communication. Context, backstory, and prejudice also play key parts in this multi-act drama. There are even a few mini history lessons wedged in between the author’s adventures. In the words of my teenage son (who read Born a Crime after I did), “This book is action-packed and entertaining, but it’s also educating.”
Now, I don’t often do this, but I’m going to insist that, if it is at all possible, you listen to this book in its audio form read by the author. Yes, the book is great in paper and ink, but listening to Trevor Noah tell his own story is so much more. It’s the kind of storytelling that makes you feel like you’re at a barbecue listening to someone talk about the crazy thing that happened to him that week. Only, soon, that person is the only person at the barbecue whose stories you want to hear. Noah has a gift for languages and accents, and his imitation of the various people in his life story makes the audio version of Born a Crime phenomenal. Not to mention, you’re listening to an author tell his own real-life stories. It’s intimate and genuine.
For some time now, I’ve been looking for an autobiography or memoir to review. This is a genre I love. Readers may criticize the plot or setting of your novel, hem and haw about the plausibility of the inciting action, or roll their eyes at the way your characters act or speak. But, no one can argue with a story that you have lived. It’s your story. The events happened to you. How well you tell your story depends on your skill level as a storyteller. Are you that person at the barbecue who accrues eager listeners? I think our desire to tell stories and share our experiences is a universal human trait. A real-life story strikes readers/listeners with its cry, “This actually happened!” And, the old adage stands: truth is stranger than fiction.
Trevor Noah is a gifted storyteller. He does not give his readers an opportunity to lose interest. He bridges vignettes perfectly, even though he travels back and forth along a timeline spanning toddler years to early 20s. And, importantly, he knows how to end a story — memorably, and with a punch that brings the wow factor. All along, I’d been listening and thinking, “This book is great.” But, the ending changed “great” into “Wow! That book was amazing.” Noah’s final story ties in all the previous threads of events and emotions, ironies and silver linings, and delivers an unforgettable conclusion to this collection of personal essays.
Overall, Born a Crime is entertaining, thought-provoking, and compelling. It’s a tale of humanity — its ugliness and beauty. It’s a tale of resilience. And, I think, it’s a love letter to Noah’s mother, a truly inspirational woman. (She made me laugh and cheer and cry.) When we read works of fiction, we begin to imagine the lives and feelings of others. However, when we read memoirs, we begin to understand each other and the world around us. The memoir writer entrusts us with something unique and precious — a story not imagined, but lived.
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Postscript: Jane Goodall died yesterday (October 1, 2025) at the age of 91. If you have the opportunity to read any of her memoirs, I encourage you to do so. Absolutely fascinating reading! I recently listened to the audio version of the children’s book My Life with the Chimpanzees (written and read by Jane Goodall). What an extraordinary life she lived, and what a gift she had for sharing her experiences, observations, knowledge, and passion with the rest of the world.
This book review of Born a Crime by Trevor Noah is based on the 2016 hardcover edition (© 2016 Trevor Noah) published by Doubleday Canada (a division of Penguin Random House Canada Limited, Toronto, ON, Canada) and on the November 2016 unabridged audiobook edition (© 2016 Spiegel & Grau; ℗ 2016 Audible, Inc.) published by Audible Studios and narrated by Trevor Noah.