Reading in the Garden

Construction of a Comedian Born a Crime by Trevor Noah is a compilation of comedian Trevor’s life in South Africa during apartheid—a racially radical time when his birth was considered a criminal act because he was born to a black woman and a white father. At times this compelling, insightful book is like a splash of cold water, an eye-opening glimpse at the realities, absurdities, tragic injustices, and ironies of apartheid, racism, and poverty.   But it’s also engagingly funny.   Trevor weaves humor through the tragedies and triumphs of growing up with a deeply religious mother who guides him to manhood.   It’s about Trevor’s first kiss “…right outside McDonald’s, so it was extra special.” It’s about a mischievous boy who likes to play with fire, the embarrassment of pushing the car to school, and a misunderstanding with a dancer named Hitler.   Bottom line:   It’s an entertaining read in which Trevor uses his past DJ skills to blend a...