Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood

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This compelling and inspiring story follows one man's coming-of-age during the twilight of apartheid and the tumultuous days that followed. Trevor Noah's journey from apartheid South Africa to The Daily Show began with a criminal act: his birth to a white Swiss father and a black Xhosa mother, a union punishable by five years in prison. As living proof of his parents' indiscretion, Trevor spent his early years mostly indoors, hidden from a government that could take him away. With the end of apartheid, he and his mother embarked on a grand adventure, embracing newfound freedom and opportunities. The narrative captures the mischievous boy growing into a restless young man, struggling to find his place in a world where he was never meant to exist. Central to his story is his fearless, rebellious, and deeply religious mother, who is determined to save him from the cycles of poverty and violence that threaten their lives. The tales are a mix of humor, drama, and deep emotion, revealing experiences such as subsisting on caterpillars during tough times, surviving an attempted kidnapping, and navigating the challenges of high school dating. Through his incisive wit and unflinching honesty, Trevor paints a vivid portrait of a boy navigating a damaged world, armed with humor and his mother's unconditional love.