I’m Booked: “Born a Crime”
Written by Ally Abruscato. Photo by Ally Abruscato.
Even if you are not a fan of “The Daily Show,” its host, Trevor Noah, wrote one of my favorite autobiographies. “Born a Crime: Stories From a South African Childhood” describes Noah’s intense childhood in an often hilarious way. It is constantly moving, shocking and comedic.
Growing up in South Africa during the end of apartheid, Noah was faced with many obstacles as a mixed-race child. In his book, he told a multitude of stories from his childhood, including details about his mother, the many languages and dialects he learned and the racism he endured. The book was informative and gave a lot of context to the horrors of apartheid. Noah discussed a lot of heavy topics and was very vulnerable with the reader. Still, the late-night host managed to remain humorous and entertaining.
Noah’s autobiography was surprisingly emotional for a comedian and TV personality. His writing was intimate and engaging, leaving the reader feeling as though they had indeed met Noah. While it was personal, it was also educational and sparked discussions that need to be had around the world. One of my favorite quotes was, “I had a natural talent for selling to people, but without knowledge and resources, where was that going to get me? People always lecture the poor: ‘Take responsibility for yourself! Make something of yourself!’ But with what raw materials are the poor to make something of themselves?”
I highly recommend reading “Born a Crime” and learning more about Trevor Noah’s story. His poignant and gripping writing keeps the reader engaged in his unique narrative. If you prefer an audiobook, I’ve heard that Noah’s voice adds a lot to his book and makes it even more entertaining. I’ll be back soon with another book review, but until then, I’m Booked.
As Editor-in-Chief, Ally Abruscato leads and supports a talented group of staff and contributors in pursuing their creative endeavors. At SCAD, Ally majors in Photography and minors in Advertising & Branding. She regularly offers pop culture insights through movie reviews, articles and her weekly column, “I’m Booked.” When she’s not writing or taking photos, Ally’s probably outside, reading or running.
