Born a Crime

More about the book

One of the comedy world's fastest-rising stars shares his wild coming-of-age story during the twilight of apartheid in South Africa and the tumultuous days of freedom that followed. Noah offers more than traditional memoirs, delivering sharp, humorous observations on how political and social systems impact our lives. As the host of The Daily Show, he provides America with a nightly dose of incisive satire, keenly observing the absurdities of politics, nationalism, and race, particularly through the lens of his own youth, lived at the intersections of culture and history. In his debut book, he recounts his upbringing with his larger-than-life mother during the waning days of apartheid and the chaotic years that ensued. Born illegal to a white Dutch father and a black Xhosa mother, Noah's family had to navigate a world where they pretended to be something they were not. His eccentric mother, a devout Christian who attended church six days a week, was a savvy hustler who kept their household afloat. The stories he shares are dark, bizarre, tender, and consistently hilarious—ranging from surviving on caterpillars during poverty to awkward teenage romances, and from wrongful imprisonment to being thrown from a speeding car by his mother to escape gangsters.