Born a Crime
by Trevor Noah
Why read it
This memoir is an absolute masterpiece of storytelling that manages to be both devastatingly honest and spectacularly funny. Hearing about Trevor Noah's childhood under the absurdity and cruelty of apartheid is eye-opening, but it is his deep love and reverence for his fierce, deeply religious mother that forms the true, beating heart of the book. It is a moving testament to resilience, love, and the power of finding humor in the darkest places.
Where to get it
In the Netherlands, the absolute best way to experience this book is by listening to the English-language audiobook, which is spectacularly narrated by Trevor Noah himself. You can stream it on popular subscription services available in the region, such as Kobo Plus, Storytel, BookBeat, and Nextory, or purchase it on Audible. For library members, the digital audiobook and e-book can be borrowed through the Dutch online library portal (onlinebibliotheek.nl / de Bibliotheek). Physical English copies and digital editions are also widely sold online via Bol.com or can be ordered through local independent Dutch bookshops like Athenaeum Boekhandel, Donner, or Scheltema.
What to expect
Expect an energetic, fast-paced, and highly engaging narrative style that feels like a conversation with a brilliant friend. The tone transitions effortlessly between laugh-out-loud humor and gripping drama. While it is a very accessible and entertaining listen, it deals with heavy subjects. Content notes include systemic racism, poverty, domestic violence, and parental abuse, handled with incredible grace and emotional honesty.
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