At multiple points throughout the book, Noah injects a bit of historical information about apartheid and South Africa between anecdotes.How do you think that Noah is able to maintain such a good sense of humor about these circumstances? Do you think he’s an optimist? And yet, most readers would agree that this is a very funny book. Noah’s story and struggles deal with big topics that aren’t really all that funny: apartheid, racism, poverty, domestic abuse, crime, and danger.Did you read the print version of the book, or listen to the audiobook (narrated by Trevor Noah himself)? Do you think Noah’s narration adds something to the reading experience?.Although Noah’s experiences in this book are rooted in South Africa, what do you think readers can take away and apply to current race relations in the U.S.?.What does his epiphany say about crime and injustice in general? Discuss his turning point, when he thinks about selling a digital camera. When he was a teenager, Noah committed nonviolent petty crimes as a matter of survival.Do his experiences as a biracial kid and teen have parallels in the U.S.? Discuss how he was viewed in South Africa, and how he is viewed here in the U.S. Noah talks at length about how he didn’t exactly fit in because he was mixed-race but lived with a black mother and family.What are some of your favorite funny anecdotes from this memoir?.Noah speaks multiple languages–discuss how his knowledge of language affects his view of culture and helps him move between worlds.He writes, “My mother showed me what was possible”–what did she show him? What advice of hers does he take to heart? How does it impact his growth? Despite Noah’s pain seeing his mother in an abusive marriage, discuss the effect that she has on him.Discuss the effects of Patricia’s faith, and how Noah struggled with it.

Patricia’s faith is also an extremely important aspect of the book–her faith was strong and unwavering, even in the face of great adversity.Discuss these contradictions, and the effect they had on young Noah. Noah’s mother is a strong woman who taught her son to respect women, and yet she ended up marrying a man who physically abused her, Noah, and his younger brother.How do you think this knowledge affected Noah growing up, and in his mother’s insistence that he reconnect with his father? Although Noah’s parents’ relationship was against the law and could have induced violence if discovered, his mother always made sure that Noah knew he was loved and wanted, even though he lost contact with his father for many years.Noah describes apartheid as “institutional racism.” How much did you know about apartheid before reading this book? Were there any details that surprised you?.

Why do you think he chose to begin his narrative with this anecdote?

Noah begins the book about being thrown from a moving car.

Did you know who Trevor Noah was before reading his memoir? If yes, what did you expect from the book? Did the book live up to your expectations, or not?.

Now let’s get talking with the Born A Crime book club questions! The result is a hilarious, moving, and educational memoir about an extraordinary young man. As a result, Noah learned six languages as a kid and used humor to bridge the gaps between people while also thinking critically about the systems of power that made up his world. Apartheid ended when Noah was still a child, but that didn’t mean his life got any easier.Īs a biracial kid, Noah often found himself caught between two worlds, not able to find a place where he was accepted without question. Noah was born to a black mother and white father in South Africa under apartheid, which meant that his existence was technically a crime. If your book club has chosen this fantastic title for your next meeting, rest easy! We’ve got a Born a Crime book club questions along with a book summary to help you prep! Born A Crime summary Born a Crime by Trevor Noah is a funny, heartfelt memoir about the comedian’s early life in South Africa, and has been optioned for film.

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