Snackz logo
Born a Crime

Trevor Noah

279 Pages
2016

Born a Crime

Stories from a South African Childhood

One World

Below is just an AI summary! If you really want to learn something:

โšก Free 3min Summary

Born a Crime - Summary

"Born a Crime" by Trevor Noah is a captivating memoir that recounts the comedian's experiences growing up in South Africa during and after apartheid. The book is a collection of personal stories that are both humorous and poignant, shedding light on the complexities of race and identity in a divided society. Trevor's narrative is enriched by his unique perspective as a mixed-race child, born to a black Xhosa mother and a white Swiss father, at a time when such a union was illegal. His tales range from the absurd to the heart-wrenching, all delivered with his characteristic wit and honesty. This memoir is not just a recounting of events but a testament to resilience, love, and the power of humor in the face of adversity.

Key Ideas

1

Racial Identity and Apartheid

"Born a Crime" delves into the harsh realities of apartheid in South Africa, where racial segregation was strictly enforced. Trevor's mixed-race heritage made him a living testament to his parents' defiance of these laws. His stories highlight the absurdity and cruelty of the apartheid system, while also exploring the complexities of racial identity in a society that sought to categorize and divide.

2

Mother-Son Relationship

A central theme in the book is the profound bond between Trevor and his mother, Patricia. Her fierce determination, unwavering faith, and unconventional parenting methods play a crucial role in shaping Trevor's character and outlook on life. Their relationship is a source of strength and inspiration, demonstrating the impact of a parent's love and guidance in overcoming life's challenges.

3

Humor as a Coping Mechanism

Throughout the memoir, Trevor uses humor to navigate the difficulties and dangers of his upbringing. His ability to find comedy in the darkest situations not only provides relief but also serves as a powerful tool for resilience. This theme underscores the importance of humor in coping with adversity and connecting with others, making the book both entertaining and deeply moving.

FAQ's

"Born a Crime" primarily focuses on Trevor Noah's experiences growing up in South Africa during and after apartheid. It highlights his unique perspective as a mixed-race child and explores themes of racial identity, the bond with his mother, and the use of humor as a coping mechanism.

Trevor Noah's mixed-race heritage significantly influences his experiences, as it made him a living testament to his parents' defiance of apartheid laws. His stories illustrate the absurdity and cruelty of the apartheid system and delve into the complexities of racial identity in a divided society.

Patricia, Trevor Noah's mother, plays a crucial role in "Born a Crime." Her fierce determination, unwavering faith, and unconventional parenting methods shape Trevor's character and outlook on life. Their profound bond is a source of strength and inspiration, demonstrating the impact of a parent's love and guidance in overcoming life's challenges.

๐Ÿ’ก Full 15min Summary

Growing up mixed race under apartheid
0:00 / 1:34

The author delves into the complexities of growing up as a mixed-race child in South Africa during apartheid. Trevor Noah's unique experience as the son of a black South African mother and a white Swiss father placed him in a precarious position within the country's racial hierarchy. He was literally "born a crime" due to the country's strict racial laws forbidding interracial relationships.

Through compelling anecdotes, Noah recounts the challenges he faced while navigating this hostile environment. He was often considered an outsider, unable to fit neatly into any racial category. This experience of living between worlds forced him to develop a keen understanding of the absurdities and injustices of apartheid.

He shares stories of having to hide from the police because they could have taken him away from his mother, as well as the time when his mother had to pretend to be his maid just to avoid getting into trouble with the law. These experiences highlight the extreme measures his family had to take in order to stay together.

Despite the adversity, Noah's mother instilled in him the belief that he was not limited by his racial identity. She taught him that he could be a bridge between different communities and foster understanding among them.

By weaving together humor and heartbreak, the author paints a vivid picture of the struggles faced by mixed-race individuals during apartheid. Through his personal journey, readers gain a deeper understanding of the impact of systemic racism on individual lives and the importance of challenging racial stereotypes in order to create a more inclusive society.

Enjoyed the sneak peak? Get the full summary!

Explore Books

The Echo of Old Books

The Echo of Old Books

A Novel

Barbara Davis

0 Pages
2023
Ali Cross

Ali Cross

James Patterson

201 Pages
2019
Moonwalking with Einstein

Moonwalking with Einstein

The Art and Science of Remembering Everything

Joshua Foer

341 Pages
2011
The 5 AM Club

The 5 AM Club

Sharma, Robin Shilp Sharma

356 Pages
2018
A Molecule Away from Madness: Tales of the Hijacked Brain

A Molecule Away from Madness: Tales of the Hijacked Brain

Sara Manning Peskin

218 Pages
2022
Starling House

Starling House

A Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick that is the perfect dark Gothic fairytale for autumn!

Alix E. Harrow

392 Pages
2023
Summary of Robin Wall Kimmerer's Braiding Sweetgrass

Summary of Robin Wall Kimmerer's Braiding Sweetgrass

Milkyway Media

0 Pages
2021
A Scandal in Bohemia

A Scandal in Bohemia

Seven Sherlock Holmes Stories

Arthur Conan Doyle

88 Pages
1981
The Infernal Devices

The Infernal Devices

Clockwork Angel; Clockwork Prince; Clockwork Princess

Cassandra Clare

1485 Pages
2013
With Love, Echo Park

With Love, Echo Park

Laura Taylor Namey

260 Pages
2024
Let Us Go Then, You And I

Let Us Go Then, You And I

Louis Peddicord

296 Pages
2011
The Wretched of the Earth

The Wretched of the Earth

Frantz Fanon

328 Pages
2007
Age as Disease

Age as Disease

Anti-Aging Technologies, Sites and Practices

David-Jack Fletcher

349 Pages
2021
We Do Not Part

We Do Not Part

A Novel

Han Kang

0 Pages
2025
The Cost of Hope

The Cost of Hope

A Memoir

Amanda Bennett

241 Pages
2012
Half of a Yellow Sun

Half of a Yellow Sun

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

560 Pages
2008
The Pleasures of Philosophy

The Pleasures of Philosophy

A Survey of Human Life and Destiny

Will Durant

446 Pages
1967
The Plot Against America

The Plot Against America

Philip Roth

52 Pages
2010
Bright Line Eating

Bright Line Eating

The Science of Living Happy, Thin and Free

Susan Peirce Thompson, PHD

322 Pages
2021
The Pirate Prince

The Pirate Prince

Gaelen Foley

416 Pages
2006
All of Me

All of Me

How I Learned to Live with the Many Personalities Sharing My Body

Kim Noble

394 Pages
2012
Unbroken

Unbroken

A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption

Laura Hillenbrand

497 Pages
2010
The Lorax

The Lorax

Dr. Seuss

72 Pages
2013
A River of Golden Bones (The Golden Court, Book 1)

A River of Golden Bones (The Golden Court, Book 1)

A.K. Mulford

421 Pages
2023
Machine Learning For Dummies

Machine Learning For Dummies

John Paul Mueller, Luca Massaron

464 Pages
2021
Sunset

Sunset

--

638 Pages
1926
Project Hail Mary

Project Hail Mary

A Novel

Andy Weir

497 Pages
2021
Pete the Cat: 5-Minute Pete the Cat Stories

Pete the Cat: 5-Minute Pete the Cat Stories

Includes 12 Groovy Stories!

James Dean

0 Pages
2017
Along Came a Spider

Along Came a Spider

(Alex Cross 1)

James Patterson

454 Pages
2017
The Intelligent Investor, Rev. Ed

The Intelligent Investor, Rev. Ed

The Definitive Book on Value Investing

Benjamin Graham

642 Pages
2009

Let's find the best book for you!

Get book summaries directly into your inbox!

Join more than 10,000 readers in our newsletter

Snackz book

Discover the Snackz AI catalogue

Snackz logo

The right book at the right time will change your life.

Get the books directly into your inbox!

โœ… New Release

โœ… Book Recommendation

โœ… Book Summaries

Copyright 2023-2025. All rights reserved.