Born a Crime: stories from a South African childhood

I recently finished the book Born a Crime:  stories from a South African childhood by Trevor Noah.  It’s an incredible book and one which, if you only read one nonfiction book this year, you need to read this.   Basically, the book is about growing up under apartheid in South Africa.  Trevor Noah was born mixed-race. He was born to a black Xhosa mother and a white Swiss father.  Under apartheid, this was a crime.  Trevor struggles to find his place in a world in which he never truly feels that he belongs.  His mother is a very strong woman who is determined to save him from the poverty and abuse that have often dominated her life.

When I first started reading this, I was prepared for a grim and depressing book.  I actually listened to this on audio, and I was blown away by it.  Noah manages to impart the horror of apartheid to be sure, but there are many parts that are laugh-out-loud funny.  It’s a timely book that should resonate with audiences worldwide.  This book earned a starred Booklist review.