This year, PADERBORN2READ—The English Book Club celebrates the twelve days of Christmas with twelve curated reading recommendations for the festive season and cozy winter days.
The sixth day of Christmas, featuring six geese a-laying—and a story born from apartheid:
Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood by Trevor Noah
recommended by PADERBORN2READ member Suzi
Do you fancy watching a live stand-up comedy show? Thankfully, reading this book is equivalent to sitting through a humorous talk show but glances through serious issues and a rough life. One would recommend this book to folks who favour dark humour.
Trevor Noah is a South African stand-up comedian, talk show host, and political commentator. But what makes his story unique is that he was born from an interracial relationship which was forbidden in apartheid South Africa. Hence he was “born a crime” and this book highlights a “mixed race” person’s ordeal while also keeping the humorous atmosphere alive. The tales of how his parents defied apartheid, his mom’s journey and his difficult childhood and adolescence are all laid out by the author himself.
A must-read for the holidays!
