I’m back, baby.
It’s been three weeks since my last post, but in my defense I moved from America’s Armpit to The Land of Terrible Drivers within that time. I’ve been pretty busy.
I intended to publish this post last Monday, but those plans went out the window after I spent my entire weekend not writing it. Because I’m still getting my life together and I need to have this posted by the end of the day, this one might be a little short. Things should return to normal by the next post, but for now quality over quantity, am I right?
Let’s get into the book.
Born a Crime is written by comedian and The Daily Show host Trever Noah, covering his time growing up in South Africa. He discusses several themes from the political issues of the country, to growing up as a “colored” person, to what it was like for him before and after apartheid was overturned. It’s an exceptionally insightful novel with dramatic and sometimes harrowing events told through his naturally humorous and witty style.
One of the things I like about his book is that he has such a strong voice. If you’ve heard his stand-up or seen him on The Daily Show, reading this book will feel just like listening to him tell one of his stories. It’s an aspect of the novel that makes it highly engaging and easily readable, even to those who don’t usually read nonfiction.
On that last point, if you aren’t a person who reads a lot of nonfiction, I would actually recommend starting with memoirs. They are often fascinating and can act as an entertaining introduction to the world of nonfiction. You can even start with this one.
In my review of Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey, I noted that part of what makes his book so insightful is that he never classifies himself as a victim. It’s always the situation, how he got through it, and the lessons he learned that he now applies to his life. This mindset is one of the best ways a person can look at life, in my opinion, so reading memoirs or stories from this perspective often feels enlightening or eye-opening.
Trever Noah writes in a similar style while acknowledging that although he didn’t always appreciate his situation at the time, he can look back now and know it helped him become the person he is today. When he’s telling his story, he’s relating his own personal experience in that moment. As he reflects on it, he shares what he’s learned from the event and how he’s applied it to his life. He wasn’t a victim of his circumstances, but rather he became successful despite them. It’s such a positive mentality considering the things he went through, and I think all of us can learn something from that.
Noah also takes the time to explain the basics of apartheid in a way people can understand or relate to. It can be difficult to fully grasp the concept of apartheid when one is being taught out of a textbook, but hearing actual stories gives a concrete image of what the experience of living in South Africa during this time was like. There is commentary surrounding the interaction of different races in South Africa before and after apartheid, and then Noah’s personal experience dealing with it. The objective and subjective views really give an encompassing perspective that shows how dynamic the experience was for those in the country during this time.
As a middle-class, white woman who’s grown up in the United States, I’ve never dealt with anything like Noah’s experience, yet I felt I could empathize with his situation. I also never felt like he was talking down to me, or trying to impart an underlying message. The authenticity and genuineness of his storytelling creates a relatable experience for anyone who picks up this book, which is a true feat.
Also, it’s very funny.
Noah is a comedian and it shows through his work. The tone is humorous, even when the content of the story isn’t, which allows him to talk about difficult situations while keeping the overall message of the book lighthearted. The entire book is a really good example of how humor can make a difficult situation bearable.
My verdict is: read it. The conversational tone will keep you so engaged that you’ll have reached the end of the book before you know it. I don’t think it’s the wisest, most exceptional memoir in the world, but I don’t know how anyone could have a bad experience reading this book.
Alright, I did it. My first post back after three weeks, somebody pop the champagne.
The Lit Wiz