Trevor Noah is a well-known and well-loved South African comedian. What makes him so relatable is how authentically South African he is, and how his daily observations become the subject matter of his theatrical storytelling. This is why his “first and only book” Born a Crime, is such a compelling read. There is a certain sense of depth to Noah’s writing, as he expresses how he, a person of colour, both is and was impacted by the socio-political state of South African society. It is an honest reflection of the hardships he has endured, with humour and relatability being peppered in throughout the chapters.
Noah was born in 1984, during the apartheid regime, where interracial relationships were illegal. His father is white, his mother is black, and he was quite literally born “illegal”. His individual story serves as a reminder of the bigger historical realities that citizens of South Africa were exposed to. This novel serves as a reminder that apartheid is not a distant concept that happened centuries ago, but is rather an event that still impacts the lives and existence of people today. As humorously as the book is written, it forces readers to face a certain reality and not deny the impact of historical happenings. He is as good of a writer as he is a comedian, and this is a worthwhile read for all South Africans.
[yasr_overall_rating]
My name is Ashleigh Pascoe and I am doing my Honours in Publishing. This is my fourth year studying at UP. I would describe myself as a bubbly extrovert with a passion for written work and writing!