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Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood Audible Audiobook – Unabridged

Trevor Noah (Author, Narrator), Audible Studios (Publisher)
4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 107,501 ratings
#1 Best Seller in Comedic Performing Arts
See all formats and editions

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.

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  1. Listening Length
    8 hours and 44 minutes
  2. Author
    Trevor Noah
  3. Narrator
    Trevor Noah
  4. Audible release date
    November 15, 2016
  5. Language
    English
  6. Publisher
    Audible Studios
  7. ASIN
    B01IW9TM5O
  8. Version
    Unabridged
  9. Program Type
    Audiobook
  10. See all details
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Product details

Listening Length 8 hours and 44 minutes
Author Trevor Noah
Narrator Trevor Noah
Whispersync for Voice Ready
Audible.com Release Date November 15, 2016
Publisher Audible Studios
Program Type Audiobook
Version Unabridged
Language English
ASIN B01IW9TM5O
Best Sellers Rank #285 in Audible Books & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Books & Originals)
#1 in Comedy (Books)
#1 in Comedic Performing Arts
#1 in Humor Essays (Books)

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
107,501 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the book fascinating, delightful, and powerful. They also find the humor entertaining and soothing. Readers praise the storyteller as incredible, engrossing, and relatable. They describe the book as insightful, inspiring, and full of profound thoughts. In addition, they praise the writing quality as well-written and easy to read.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

Select to learn more
ReadabilityHumorStorytellerEducational valueWriting qualityHeartbreaking storyHonestyPacing
3,764 customers mention "Readability"3,715 positive49 negative

Customers find the book fascinating, delightful, and powerful. They say it's a good listening experience and a great peek into the true story. Readers also mention that Trevor Noah is brilliant and talented.

"...This memoir is unquestionable one of the most engaging books I’ve ever read, filled with such greatly vivid and riveting anecdotes, made more..." Read more

"...his own upbringing, and I thank him for sharing his life in this powerful book. It's a story that needed to be told...." Read more

"This is 4 1/2 stars for me. An excellent book and very interesting read about a boy growing up in South Africa who is mixed race...." Read more

"Trevor Noah is a smart, talented, even gifted young man who grew up in a time and place where everything was stacked against him...." Read more

2,446 customers mention "Humor"2,398 positive48 negative

Customers find the humor in the book entertaining and soothing. They say the writing style is humorous and flawlessly switches from laugh-out-loud funny to serious. Readers also appreciate Trevor Noah's comedic personality shines through his storytelling abilities.

"...memoir that doesn’t pierce you, wound you with truths, yet it soothes you with humor. I laughed because it was impossible not to...." Read more

"...One expectation I had for the book was that it would be funny, which it is in many parts...." Read more

"...Overall a great read and an exciting book. It's very enjoyable and eye opening as Trevor Noah brings a nice perspective...." Read more

"...I will not expound on the rest of the story. There is a lot of fun and interesting stories that Trevor talks about growing up, and the outcome for..." Read more

2,068 customers mention "Storyteller"2,003 positive65 negative

Customers find the storyteller wonderful, engrossing, and riveting. They also appreciate the relatable prose that gives fantastic insight. Readers describe the story as genuine and passionate. They say it's well-written and powerful.

"...books I’ve ever read, filled with such greatly vivid and riveting anecdotes, made more profound and unforgettable by the fact that they’re true...." Read more

"...Every story has a purpose, even the hilarious story of how, as a boy, Noah decided to poop in his kitchen...." Read more

"...His is a fascinating story, not very different than that of many "boys in the hood" right here in America, though apartheid adds some international..." Read more

"...Crime is grassroots. Crime looks for the young kids who need support and a lifting hand...." Read more

1,843 customers mention "Educational value"1,843 positive0 negative

Customers find the book educational, enlightening, and meaningful. They say it provides plenty of mental and moral food for thought. Readers also mention the book is important and inspiring to read.

"...I love it. Born a Crime—it just feels meaningful. And, it is meaningful. I’m walking away from this experience knowing now that I love Trevor Noah...." Read more

"...Noah has gained such a nuanced understanding of the topic...." Read more

"Trevor Noah is a smart, talented, even gifted young man who grew up in a time and place where everything was stacked against him...." Read more

"...It's the best memoir I've read in a while. I highly recommend, educational and incredible, also heartbreaking and inspiring" Read more

1,306 customers mention "Writing quality"1,223 positive83 negative

Customers find the writing quality brilliant, readable, and powerful. They appreciate the wonderful voice and relatable prose. Readers mention that Trevor Noah is able to educate and pass many messages through a simple and numerous style.

"...one of the most engaging books I’ve ever read, filled with such greatly vivid and riveting anecdotes, made more profound and unforgettable by the..." Read more

"...Noah's writing style is not just conversational but natural; he is obviously a born storyteller...." Read more

"...The fact that there are so many backgrounds and languages is very interesting...." Read more

"...Many of them are written about in this amazing book. He manages to truly impart a message, while making you laugh or cry with his story of the moment..." Read more

912 customers mention "Heartbreaking story"902 positive10 negative

Customers find the story poignant, sweet, honest, and funny. They say it makes them feel a huge range of emotions and elicits empathy. Readers also mention the book never dwells in despair.

"...I love it. Born a Crime—it just feels meaningful. And, it is meaningful. I’m walking away from this experience knowing now that I love Trevor Noah...." Read more

"...I highly recommend, educational and incredible, also heartbreaking and inspiring" Read more

"...His story is genuine and his emotions are passionate...." Read more

"...Some of the things are outrageous and unthinkable, some are heartbreaking, some contain a measure of hilarity that will literally have you laughing..." Read more

476 customers mention "Honesty"476 positive0 negative

Customers find the book surprisingly honest, incredibly frank, and truthful. They appreciate the author's candor and humility. Readers also mention the book details history, truth, love, and humor.

"...He has some pretty profound and interesting comments in his book, such as:“..." Read more

"...The chief strength of this book, I believe, is how open and honest Trevor is about his relationship with his mother...." Read more

"I loved the humor, the sadness, the honesty, and the way Trevor can tell you about the horrors of his life without feeling sorry for himself...." Read more

"...His story overall is written with a calm measured voice and is told with equanimity...." Read more

262 customers mention "Pacing"239 positive23 negative

Customers find the book's pacing fast, quick, and enjoyable. They say the timing is perfect and the book flows well. Readers also mention the writing style is engaging and never dull.

"...it down because Trevor’s story telling is incredible, this was a very quick read for me!..." Read more

"...Even though it's a fairly short book and a very quick read, the book packs a lot...." Read more

"...This is a fast, enlightening book on a culture few of us know as well as a review of apartheid, Nelson Mandela, and the many languages spoken..." Read more

"...I appreciated the reality of love, laughter, anger and frankness shared." Read more

Don't even read this review. Just go get this and read it, trust me!
5 out of 5 stars
Don't even read this review. Just go get this and read it, trust me!
Well, I’m just a little salty that someone didn’t MAKE me read this before now because it’s straight up perfection.Trevor Noah, host of The Daily Show details his childhood in South Africa in this incredible memoir. With a white Swiss father and a Black Xhosa mother, his life quite literally started as a punishable crime in his home country. He grew up in a time of apartheid and the chaos of the years that followed, which affected almost every aspect of his family’s life.This book is just the perfect memoir. Noah flawlessly switches from laugh out loud funny, to serious, to a quick history lesson, to anecdote, back to raucous laughter.I’m also a little embarrassed to tell you guys that I found out that I knew veeery little about South African apartheid. In this book, Noah talks very candidly about the history and his own experience within that oppressive culture. It’s beyond illuminating.Can I just go ahead and make this my application to join the official Trevor Noah’s Mama’s Fan Club?? Because wow! She is hilarious, smart, hard-working, loving, and so many more wonderful adjectives. I really do believe that Noah wouldn’t be who he is today without her.Also, I’m sure reading the book is lovely. But listening to this, y’all - I was in STITCHES. It’s ideal roadtrip audiobook material. I mean, there’s no way that listening to Trevor Noah reading his own book isn’t better as just plain old reading the book.Don’t be like me. Read this one immediately if you haven’t!
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Top reviews from the United States

Jheanell H.
5.0 out of 5 stars Glorious
Reviewed in the United States on January 19, 2017
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This book is absolutely glorious. I’m so in love right now, I can barely function. This memoir is unquestionable one of the most engaging books I’ve ever read, filled with such greatly vivid and riveting anecdotes, made more profound and unforgettable by the fact that they’re true.

I don’t watch The Daily Show, other than a few occasional clips on social media, and I never followed this guy before, so I decided to read this book solely because of the title. I love it. Born a Crime—it just feels meaningful. And, it is meaningful. I’m walking away from this experience knowing now that I love Trevor Noah. I love his writing and I love his wit. He is a fantastic storyteller who told of his childhood, one that was layered heavily with sadness, but for the majority of the time while reading his journey, I felt joyous.

This memoir is a compilation of notable anecdotes, mixed in with short passages of African history for context against the very special circumstances of Trevor’s birth and childhood. Let me tell you, his childhood is better than any fiction and there are too many humorous and affecting moments to count. Some of my favorites include, the time when a criminal, young Trevor, who was being held prisoner in his Grandmother’s house (for his own good), crawled through a hole under a fence to get to freedom. Then, there’s the time when his first dog, Fufi, taught him his first lesson in love and betrayal. Or, the time when, after growing up on the kind of creative diet that only the very poor are weaned on, Trevor was left completely unimpressed with high cuisine meals such as bone marrow, which are no different or better than the dog bones he ate at home. For more funny and interesting stories, read this book!

Born a Crime begins before his birth, when his impetuous and wise mother convinced her kind, white neighbor to give her a baby, during a time when there were strictly enforced laws that prohibited intercourse between Natives and Europeans. The stories he describe span from that time to the end of Apartheid, and further to a time when blacks and coloreds were free to live the life they could wrangle from the system.

Trevor’s—I’m calling him Trevor because I feel like I know him now. His thoughts on race and power are spot on and made more impressive because of his ability to use humor to show the illogical and ridiculous nature of the whole enterprise. Trevor is very smart, and a very adept communicator. There isn’t a single part of this memoir that doesn’t pierce you, wound you with truths, yet it soothes you with humor. I laughed because it was impossible not to. I laughed so hard that I cried, and then I cried because I had to cry.

Trevor grew up on a divided country, and the numerous poignant moments show clearly a boy caught between the many cultures of South Africa, which he navigated by becoming a chameleon, fitting in everywhere and nowhere at the same time. He adapted to each new situation as many entertainers do, by being whoever the people want them to be. That’s not to say that Trevor is disingenuous in any way; no, he’s observant, and his musings on life and relationships make it apparent that he has a damn good understanding of the human condition.

What is most lovely about his coming-of-age story is how Trevor speaks about his mother. His mom features largely in his story, and his love and respect for her is obvious, not only in his words, but in the actions he describes. Their bond is a tangible thing, and the most moving pockets of this book are the ones filled with his mom.

Honestly, this memoir is so brilliantly insightful that there are many many pages I marked, so many gems and memories I’ve saved to revisit again and again. I don’t read a lot of biographies, preferring fiction to real life, but I’m insanely delighted that I strayed from my norm and read Born a Crime. I recommend this book to anyone and everyone, sincerely, because it is truly glorious.

Audiobook notes: Just perfect. Trevor Noah pulls you in with his animated voice and more than brings this story to life.
51 people found this helpful
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Duane Schneider
5.0 out of 5 stars A Must-Read Book about Race and Poverty
Reviewed in the United States on July 19, 2020
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I didn't have many expectations going into "Born a Crime," which is maybe the right approach for a memoir. I knew only that Noah had become the host of "The Daily Show," and I was rooting for him as a relative unknown stepping into some big shoes. He seemed funny and charismatic, and I knew he was South African, but after reading "Born a Crime," I'm so much more impressed by its author. One expectation I had for the book was that it would be funny, which it is in many parts. Noah's writing style is not just conversational but natural; he is obviously a born storyteller. But he also structures the book in such a way that it builds and builds. Every story has a purpose, even the hilarious story of how, as a boy, Noah decided to poop in his kitchen. It's a story that ultimately depicts not only the poverty of his upbringing but also the superstitious nature of those around him. A refrain in "Born a Crime" is that when people have nothing, they must rely on faith. For Noah, that was always faith in his mother; for his mother, it was faith in God. It's truly a miracle that Noah has succeeded to the degree he has. I've read a lot of memoirs that left me wondering why the writer felt compelled to share his/her story, but there was none of that here. It begins with the title. Noah's birth, to a black mother and white father, was literally a criminal act in apartheid South Africa. His whole life growing up, Noah is an outcast. He doesn't seem to fit in with any group. And he grew up in abject poverty. Some of us think we have an idea what it might be like to be poor, but Noah lived it. At times his family ate goat eyeballs, worms, and scraps meant for dogs to survive. When he stayed with his grandmother, they shared a latrine with other families. I feel fortunate to have found this book but especially to have read it during a period of racial unrest in America. Noah experienced and witnessed severe racism in the era of apartheid and the period following its end. Each of his chapters begins with a brief discourse on race and its broader implications. Noah has gained such a nuanced understanding of the topic. One of his stories--about how a black dance group he helped form with a star dancer named Hitler went to dance at a white Jewish school--was almost unbelievable for the way it mixed history with racism and classism. But the real heart of "Born a Crime" is Noah's mother. She is a free spirit and independent thinker, and it's obvious that her determination is what drives Noah to break the cycle of poverty and racism, to avoid paying what he refers to as the "black tax." Noah gives examples from his own experience to show that poor black people need more than just some moral support. As he writes, if you give a man a fish, he will eat for a day. If you teach him to fish, he will eat for a lifetime. But it also helps to give him a fishing pole. That really stuck with me. In South Africa, blacks were graduating high school, but if they didn't look the right way or talk the right way, they still couldn't find work. In this book, we see the unfairness of the police state and the criminal justice system--most powerfully, as it applies to Noah's mother, who tries to have her husband arrested repeatedly for physical abuse, to no avail. This problem leads to a shocking conclusion to "Born a Crime." Again, all I can say is that I can't believe Noah survived the circumstances of his own upbringing, and I thank him for sharing his life in this powerful book. It's a story that needed to be told. My only complaint is not really a complaint, but the book runs from the author's birth to his early twenties, when he is still a rising comedian in South Africa. I'd love to see a sequel showing how Noah came the rest of the way from up-and-comer to host of "The Daily Show." I'm sure that's another journey well worth taking.
49 people found this helpful
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4.0 out of 5 stars Great Autobiography and an interesting read - I highly recommend
Reviewed in the United States on January 22, 2024
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This is 4 1/2 stars for me. An excellent book and very interesting read about a boy growing up in South Africa who is mixed race. He doesn't really fit anywhere as he's not black, he's not white and he's not part of the mulato group either. I loved hearing how that society functioned and everything he ran into. I didn't realize that South Africa is so tribal - even amongst the natives there are different tribes that have prejudices and attitudes towards each other. Overall a great read and an exciting book. It's very enjoyable and eye opening as Trevor Noah brings a nice perspective. I loved his mother - she is someone I'd love to meet as she is so interesting. Reminds me that people are like diamonds with many faucets to them.
10 people found this helpful
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PatriciaW
5.0 out of 5 stars An amazing story of a life that could have turned out quite differently
Reviewed in the United States on September 15, 2024
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Trevor Noah is a smart, talented, even gifted young man who grew up in a time and place where everything was stacked against him. Apartheid South Africa was not favorable toward mixed race children, their very existence a crime. Yet Noah found a way to exist, and not only exist, but to shine, even when he was hustling the streets and living a life of low-level criminality. That he eventually made his way out and has risen to his current place and status in global society is amazing. His is a fascinating story, not very different than that of many "boys in the hood" right here in America, though apartheid adds some international flavor. Can't wait to read the next installment, if there is one of Noah's life. The storyteller we see on TV is just as funny and insightful on the pages of this book.
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Top reviews from other countries

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Yvonne
5.0 out of 5 stars A Journey through Humor and Insight.- A Must Read!
Reviewed in Canada on July 29, 2024
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I absolutely love this book!

"Born a Crime" is an incredible book! Trevor Noah's writing style and storytelling are both captivating and insightful. He skillfully blends humor with detailed accounts of his life, delivering powerful messages along the way. The book offers profound insights into experiences many of us may/may not have lived through and might or might not relate to. The book provides a deep understanding and sheds light on the mindset of those who perpetuate racism and other societal injustices. A must-read for anyone seeking a profound and entertaining narrative. Highly recommended!
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ramatu adams
5.0 out of 5 stars Arrived quickly
Reviewed in Sweden on August 23, 2024
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I am happy with the purchase
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Jaqueline Lima
5.0 out of 5 stars Amei a experiência de ler esse livro.
Reviewed in Brazil on April 26, 2021
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É primeira AUTObiografia que leio.
Como sou acostumada com ficção, achei que seria mais sofrido, mas na verdade não foi.
A história trata de tema super importantes, porém, ao mesmo tempo, tem um clima super descontraído.
Quando a autor aborda sua relação com a mãe... olha, é sem palavras.
Super recomendo esse livro.
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Arjun
5.0 out of 5 stars Un gran libro de un cómico aún mejor
Reviewed in Spain on July 29, 2022
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Trevor Noah ha sido uno de mis presentadores favoritos de Late Night Show en Estados Unidos y uno de mis cómicos favoritos. Tiene una gran capacidad de escritura como comediante, pero este libro fue realmente una sorpresa. El libro está muy bien escrito y ha puesto todo su corazón y sentimientos en el libro. Explica todo el camino que tuvo que recorrer como persona mestiza en Sudáfrica hasta convertirse en uno de los cómicos de más éxito del mundo. Su estilo de escritura te permite conectar con él, empatizar con él y experimentar su viaje. El libro es ligero a veces y divertido, pero muy sombrío y oscuro en otras ocasiones. Es un libro con una profundidad real y las luchas de Trevor y de muchas otras personas que viven en Sudáfrica durante y después del apartheid. Todo lo que digo es que le den una oportunidad a este libro y no se arrepentirán.
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Sarah
5.0 out of 5 stars Same as pic
Reviewed in Egypt on May 21, 2022
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Very good copy
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