The book I chose to read during Phase I of the pandemic turned out to be Born A Crime Stories From A South African Childhood written by Trevor Noah.
The first time I saw Trevor Noah, he was sitting in a cafe sipping a drink with Jerry Seinfeld. Trevor appeared as a guest on Jerry Seinfeld’s show Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee presented by Netflix. Jerry Seinfeld chatted with Trevor Noah about the characteristics of comedians. Trevor Noah bantered along with Jerry Seinfeld while Trevor seemed unaffected by his quick rise to fame.
Before making my decision to purchase Born A Crime, I had unexpectedly tuned into a podcast featuring Senator Cory Booker and Trevor Noah. They were assembled in a small room with an audience full of young adults. Senator Cory Booker read Born A Crime and then he began interviewing Trevor Noah about his book. Next, Senator Cory Booker referenced preselected chapters from which Trevor Noah in turn, graciously read aloud to his fans.
Watching the podcast of Trevor Noah while listening to his memoir Born A Crime enabled me to glimpse a small snapshot of Trevor’s past. I was intrigued by the stories I had listened to and accordingly wanted to know more about his life. The following afternoon I ordered a brand new copy of Born A Crime from Amazon. While reviewing my cart, I realized his memoir happened to be named one of the best books of the year by The New York Times, USA Today, NPR, Newsday, Esquire, Booklist, and the San Francisco Chronicle. That evening, I eagerly awaited the arrival of my new book.
The next morning I found my package from Amazon sitting on our doorstep. Once I had unsealed the box I settled in on my billowy sofa and read Part I of Born A Crime.
I became thoroughly engrossed reading about Trevor Noah’s history. His words were full of vibrant depictions of his upbringing in South Africa.
Trevor Noah entered the world during the rule of Apartheid in South Africa. While his mother Patricia belonged to the Xhosa tribe, his father Robert came from Swiss/German descent. According to apartheid’s unjust laws, the hierarchy deemed baring a child of differing backgrounds illegal. Yet, this is how Trevor began his life, in stark contrast to the wishes of the oppressive leaders of his homeland.
Trevor opened his book with an analysis of South Africa’s racial-social ideology known as apartheid. He stated:
The genius of apartheid was convincing people who were the overwhelming majority to turn on each other. Apart hate, is what it was. You separate people into groups and make them hate one another so you can rule them all.
Trevor’s depiction gave readers a frame of reference by illustrating the disparities placed on both Trevor and his family by the cruel enactment of Apartheid.
Yet, Trevor’s story is told from the perspective of the gifted mind of a boy who navigated his brutal political landscape with honesty, naivete, and utmost curiosity. Trevor enabled his use of incredible recall while taking readers through a series of memorable and at times painful accounts of his personal life.
Trevor had largely been raised by his strong unconventional mother Patricia, who taught him how to speak English. She went against norms to provide Trevor with opportunities to read, study religion, and spend time with her family.
Trevor’s captivating storytelling capabilities presented his readers with access to imaginary panoramas as Trevor attended church services with his mother, traveled in their car, and ventured to his father’s house.
Looking back, Trevor mused about the time when he lived alone with his mother reiterating together they were like a team. Throughout his writings, Trevor reflected nostalgically on those moments relaying
there was this sense of the two of us embarking on a grand sense of adventure.
Trevor and his mother Patricia had formed a friendship outside the construct of a more traditional mother-son relationship.
As a young boy, Trevor quickly learned the ins and outs of living as a mixed-race youth in an unforgiving country. This is not to suggest that Trevor did not suffer from the injustices which were continually imposed upon him.
Sadly, after Trevor’s mother Patricia married Abel, his stepfather, Patricia and Trevor were sporadically beaten by him. The first time Trevor had been physically harmed by his stepfather Abel, Trevor managed to escape by fleeing his home. Trevor vigilantly avoided the wrath of his stepfather from that day on.
Patricia gave her son a life apart from his abusive stepfather so Trevor could follow his path to come into his own. Trevor immersed himself in his books and his education. These activities allowed Trevor to free himself from the dynamics of his dysfunctional family. Trevor learned how to look at the world differently. He wrote:
I saw the futility of violence, the cycle that just repeats itself, the damage that’s inflicted on people that they then in turn inflict on others.
Trevor moved forward leaving the cycle of hatred behind.
The amazing qualities indicative of Trevor Noah’s belief system emboldened him not only to survive but also to achieve success. Arising from periods of difficulty, Trevor had acquired a keen sense of humor. Subsequently, Trevor has flawlessly infused his memoir filling it with comedic anecdotes. Trevor attained celebrity status embracing audiences by wittily retelling the stories from his past.
I highly recommend this book as an authentically promising read for youth and adults.
