Born a Crime; Stories from a South African Childhood (One World Essentials)

Born a Crime: A Hilarious and Powerful Coming-of-Age Memoir

#1 New York Times Bestseller | Over One Million Copies Sold

Winner of the Thurber Prize for American Humor and an NAACP Image Award, Born a Crime is a “brilliant” (Time), “poignant” (Entertainment Weekly), and “soul-nourishing” (USA Today) memoir from Trevor Noah, chronicling his remarkable journey from apartheid South Africa to global stardom.

Trevor Noah’s life began with an illegal act: his birth. As the son of a Black Xhosa mother and a white Swiss father, he entered the world at a time when interracial relationships were punishable by law. Hidden indoors for much of his early childhood, he lived in fear of a government that could separate him from his family at any moment. But with the fall of apartheid, Trevor and his fiercely independent mother embraced their newfound freedom, navigating the challenges and opportunities of a changing nation.

This memoir is both a coming-of-age story and a testament to an unbreakable mother-son bond. From surviving on caterpillars during tough times to escaping a moving car in an attempted kidnapping, Trevor’s experiences range from the absurd to the harrowing. Through it all, his sharp wit and his mother’s unwavering love serve as his greatest tools for survival.

Told with humor, heart, and unflinching honesty, Born a Crime paints a vivid portrait of a boy finding his place in a fractured world. A gripping, unforgettable read, it proves that laughter and resilience can thrive even in the darkest of times.