Born a Crime cover art

Born a Crime

Stories from a South African Childhood

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Born a Crime

Written by: Trevor Noah
Narrated by: Trevor Noah
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About this listen

Highest-rated new book of 2016 by Audible customers

Winner: Audible's Best of 2016 - Celebrity Memoirs

In this award-winning Audible Studios production, Trevor Noah tells his wild coming-of-age tale during the twilight of apartheid in South Africa. It’s a story that begins with his mother throwing him from a moving van to save him from a potentially fatal dispute with gangsters, then follows the budding comedian’s path to self-discovery through episodes both poignant and comical. Noah’s virtuoso embodiment of all the characters from his childhood, and his ability to perform accents and dialects effortlessly in English, Xhosa, and Zulu, garnered the Audie Award for Best Male Narrator in 2018. Nevertheless, Noah’s devoted and uncompromising mother—as voiced by her son—steals the show.

©2016 Spiegel & Grau (P)2016 Audible, Inc.
Performing Arts Comedy Funny Celebrity Witty Inspiring Stand-Up Heartfelt Thought-Provoking Single Parent Resilience Caribbean Jokes Multilingual African Religion Funny For Teens African American Humor

What the critics say

"Comedian Trevor Noah's stories of growing up in South Africa are vivid, sometimes harrowing, and often laugh-out-loud funny. The bonus of audio is that listeners get to HEAR Noah tell these stories in his South African-accented English, as well as hear him speak snippets of various other South African languages. Noah (who succeeded Jon Stewart as the host of 'The Daily Show') is a natural storyteller - skilled, engaging, and relatable.... Noah's narration offers insights and intimacy." (AudioFile)

"The author’s gift for vocal impersonation elevates the audio version into something even more splendid than an already terrific memoir.” (The Washington Post)

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Our favourite moments from Born a Crime

Born a Crime
"No, Mom! This was not thanks to God!"
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Born a Crime
"Once Mandela was elected, we could finally live freely."
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Born a Crime
"If my mother had one goal, it was to free my mind."
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  • Born a Crime
  • "No, Mom! This was not thanks to God!"
  • Born a Crime
  • "Once Mandela was elected, we could finally live freely."
  • Born a Crime
  • "If my mother had one goal, it was to free my mind."

Editorial Review

Never quite belonging, and never fitting into one place or one race. Alienated, separated, and every bit an individual, Trevor Noah explains what it means to be Born a Crime.

In this audiobook, Trevor Noah, award-winning host of The Daily Show, tells the story of his life, starting with his being conceived by a white father and Black mother in a South Africa ruled by apartheid. Beyond recounting his own turbulent childhood, Noah’s memoir reflects the larger picture of a country and culture fraught with pain, separation, and corruption. Noah doesn’t hold anything back, and dives into anecdotes and recollections of his past that are at once deeply personal and universally relatable. Listeners will love the chance to take a peek back into his early years and the formative experiences that have made this infamous comedian the man he is today.

Memoirs tend to hit more powerfully when they are read by their author, and Born a Crime is no exception. Noah brings a personal touch to this audiobook with style and grace. His conversational tone is inviting and relatable, while his humour and comedic timing are impeccable. He is able to recount tales using a wide variety of voices and accents to add authenticity, comedy, and heart to his stories; this impressive skill led to his winning an Audie Award for Best Male Narrator.

Born a Crime is a story that will touch and uplift listeners—especially those who have struggled with feeling like an outsider or not fitting into any one particular box. Noah uses his life and his biracial background to add poignancy to both a personal memoir and a look at social constructs. History reveals a lot about human nature, and his recollections of South Africa expose the flaws of systemic racism while reminding us of prejudices and biases still present today. Written and performed with humour, grace, and an open heart, this audiobook has a little bit of everything and is truly a must-listen for just about anyone.

What listeners say about Born a Crime

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This guy could read me the phone book! *swoon*

I really dig Trevor's accent and his ability to mimic other people's voices and accents. It really made his story come alive for me. I was so intrigued and drawn in, it inspired me to learn more about a part of the world I am quite ignorant about. I listened to this book every chance I got and I'm looking forward to listening to his podcasts. Truly a brilliant storyteller.

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17 people found this helpful

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An amazing story!

This book took me only a week to read. it was so thoughtfully written, put in such a perspective that really helps the reader understand how circumstances and situations are so impactful to the outcome of people's lives. the complexity of growing up in apartheid are so much more apparent in reading this. the author was serious, yet funny which keeps the tone light but maintains the impact of the story.

#Audible1

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I will never, ever visit South Africa

It's pretty much a miracle that he survived and is here. I think that's the second greatest miracle that his mom pulled off. If she gets a third, I suggest quite strongly that she should get a sainthood.

Honestly, I have no idea how *anyone* survives in that country. I feel like I know everything I might ever need to know about South Africa now. Trevor Noah describes everything so beautifully and lucidly, and he shines a ginormous spotlight into all the dark corners. And those corners are very, very dark... but it sort of creeps up on you. He writes his story like an oil painting, layer upon layer, until the full picture finally appears.

It's dark, and funny, and you get to know all the people who were in his life from the inside out. It's human. With all that that implies. And the mom in me just wants to wrap him in fluffy blankets and feed him soup. Because nobody should have had to go through what he did.

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Fantastic

This book was a huge eye opener for me. Extremely well written and captivating. Highly recommend!

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So. Much. Yes.

I went into this book not really sure what to expect, but WOW! Just WOW. I loved this book!

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Hope in a mother’s love

The best summary of apartheid in SA
There’s very little to dislike about this book. Noah’s belief in his mother’s love and anguish for her safety tugs at your heart. An essential reader for racial relations.

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Excellent

I couldn’t wait for my drive to and from work to continue listening to this audiobook

I learned a lot about apartheid and the lives of people in South Africa too

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Unbelievable

This is an absolutely incredible story. Trevor Noah is truly an astounding human. Seriously. Wow.

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good story with a great ending

I bought this because it was recommended as something that is better in audiobook than book format. Overall is was good, but only the ending really blew me away.

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Funny, frightening and genuine

I didn't think I'd finish this book thinking about Jesus but praise the lord Patricia!

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