Born a Crime. By Trevor Noah. Audiobook
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Born a Crime
Stories from a South African Childhood.
“Noah’s childhood anecdotes are shared with the same sharp wit and intelligence that define his comedy, all while shedding light on a dark and brutal chapter in South Africa’s history – one that must never be forgotten.” – Esquire
Recipient of the Thurber Prize for American Humor and an NAACP Image Award • Recognized as one of the year’s top books by The New York Times, USA Today, San Francisco Chronicle, NPR, Esquire, Newsday, and Booklist
Trevor Noah’s extraordinary journey from apartheid-era South Africa to hosting The Daily Show began with a clandestine act: his own birth. Born to a white Swiss father and a black Xhosa mother during a period when such a union could result in five years behind bars, Trevor’s existence was a quiet rebellion. His mother, determined to protect him from a government that could seize him at any moment, kept him largely hidden during his earliest years, implementing extreme and often absurd measures to shield him. Only after the end of South Africa’s oppressive white regime did Trevor and his mother venture into the world openly, embracing the freedom and opportunities won through decades of struggle.
Born a Crime chronicles the misadventures of a mischievous boy who matures into a restless young man, navigating a society that deemed him impossible to exist. It also tells the story of his deep bond with his fearless, rebellious, and devoutly religious mother – his partner in life’s battles, a woman resolute in her mission to protect her son from a cycle of poverty, violence, and abuse that threatened to destroy her as well.
The collection of stories here ranges from hilarious to heartbreaking. Whether recounting how they survived on caterpillars during tough times, escaping a kidnapping attempt by being thrown from a moving vehicle, or simply trying to navigate the perils of teenage romance, Trevor sheds light on his world with sharp humor and brutal honesty. His tales come together to form a poignant and uproariously funny portrait of a boy forging his path through a fractured world in turbulent times – armed only with a keen sense of humor and a mother’s unconventional, unwavering love.
#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • More than one million copies sold! A “brilliant” (Lupita Nyong’o, Time), “poignant” (Entertainment Weekly), “soul-nourishing” (USA Today) memoir about coming of age during the twilight of apartheid
Information about the Audiobook:
| Publisher | Trevor Noah |
| Publish Date | November 15, 2016 |
| Pages | 304 / 8 hrs and 44 mins |
| Language | English |
| Type | Unabridged Audiobook |
| EAN/UPC | 9780399588181 |
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SKU book: 9780399588181 📖 ASIN Number Amazon: B01IW9TM5O
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“A soul-nourishing pleasure… an enormous gift.” – USA Today
“By turns alarming, sad and funny… not just an unnerving account of growing up in South Africa under apartheid, but a love letter to the author’s remarkable mother.” – Michiko Kakutani, The New York Times
“You’d be hard-pressed to find a comic’s origin story better than the one Trevor Noah serves up in Born a Crime… Witty truth-telling… brilliant comedy.” – O: The Oprah Magazine
“Remarkable… smart… extraordinary… essential reading on every level.” – The Seattle Times
“[Noah] thrives with the help of his astonishingly fearless mother… Their fierce bond makes this story soar.” – People“Powerful prose… told through stories and vignettes that are sharply observed, deftly conveyed and consistently candid. Growing organically from them is an affecting investigation of identity, ethnicity, language, masculinity, nationality and, most of all, humanity.” – Mail & Guardian (South Africa)
“[Noah’s] story of surviving – and thriving – is mind-blowing.” – Cosmopolitan
“Noah has a real tale to tell, and he tells it well… Among the many virtues of Born a Crime is a frank and telling portrait of life in South Africa during the 1980s and ’90s.” – Newsday
“An affecting memoir, Born a Crime [is] a love letter to his mother.” – The Washington Post
“Witty and revealing… Noah’s story is the story of modern South Africa.” – Publishers Weekly (starred review)
8 reviews for Born a Crime. By Trevor Noah. Audiobook
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Emma Smith
Born a Crime. By Trevor Noah. Audiobook – My Review:
In the South Africa of the mid-1980s, a young Trevor Noah - who the world would later know as the host of The Daily Show - was living a secret. His very existence was a violation of the law. His powerful memoir, "Born a Crime," weaves together the raw threads of racism, resilience, abuse, faith, and a mother's ferocious love into a story I found utterly captivating. For me, it was a profound window into a culture and a history I only knew from headlines.
The title itself reveals the central paradox of his life: he was the living proof of a crime. Under apartheid, the union of his Black Xhosa mother and white Swiss father was illegal. His early childhood was spent in hiding, often confined indoors, a secret to be protected from a state that would have torn his family apart. The guiding force in this precarious world was his mother, Patricia. Her unwavering moral compass, her inventive defiance, and her tough love were the maps that navigated him through danger. What struck me most was Noah's reflection on how these formative scars and lessons shape the man he is today. He credits his mother's influence as the sole reason he escaped the cycles of poverty and violence that trapped so many of his peers.
Noah's narrative genius lies in his brutally honest, yet deftly humorous, style. He employs flashbacks not as mere recollections, but as visceral immersions. When he recounts the hardships - the poverty, the beatings, the constant threat - you don't just read about it; you feel the tension, the confusion, and the surreal comedy of survival. He makes the past palpably real.
While tackling the dark realities of apartheid and a turbulent childhood, this book is anything but a grim slog. It's a testament to the human spirit's ability to find light and laughter in the darkest places. If you are moved by stories of social justice, historical truth-telling, and personal triumph forged in fire, this memoir is essential reading.
I cannot recommend this experience highly enough. To truly hear the rhythm of his story, the clicks of his Xhosa language, and the laughter in his voice, I strongly suggest listening to the audiobook, narrated by Noah himself. It transforms a great read into an unforgettable performance.
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About the book:№ 9780399588181 📖 ASIN Number Amazon: B01IW9TM5O
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Emma Smith –
A great listen on audio! His accent + pronunciation definitely took this to the next level. and again, why I love memoirs so much! Educating myself on different people, cultures, experiences is one of my favorite parts of reading
James Smith –
Such a powerful and emotional narration 😍
Book Review –
Born a Crime by Trevor Noah is an incredible audiobook that truly opened my eyes to the complexities of life in South Africa. Trevor’s humor and honesty make his stories both moving and hilarious. I loved how he shares his personal journey with warmth and wit. Highly recommend for anyone looking for a powerful and entertaining listen! 🎧
Audio Books –
I enjoyed this audiobook so much! 🌟 The voice actor’s talent brought the story alive. Perfect for a relaxing day!
AudioBooks Shop –
The book was fascinating and kept me engaged the entire time. I enjoyed every moment and will definitely read more from this author.
Kristina –
I loved this book. I learned about a different culture, history, about resilience, etc. I’m so glad I got this as an audio book. hearing Trevor share his story, in his own voice, it couldn’t have been any better. My kids and I actually sat in the car, in our garage for 30 minutes one day because we were so caught up in the chapter we had been listening to on our drive home. I highly recommend this book and am now a huge fan. I now DVR the Daily show and have begun looking for more of Trevor’s work. I definitely have a mad crush on him now. haha
Jessica Jones –
This book was the funniest, most honest, most thought provoking biography I have ever read. Trevor Noah writes beautifully, and since he is narrating you really get exactly what he meant when he wrote the book.
I would sincerely recommend this book to anyone looking for a great story; great lessons from a man who has succeeded despite all the odds.
Trevor Noah, you are an inspiration.
MarilynArms –
Great book and perfect narration! I don’t review a lot of books anymore, but this one got to me. There are lots of books written by people — including me — who had a hard time growing up. Abusive parents, poverty, oppression. War. There is a lot of awful stuff children endure.
Trevor Noah endured all of it. Name something bad that a kid can experience and it probably happened to him. Born under apartheid, his existence was illegal. His birth was, as the title of his book suggests, a crime.
As the child of a white father and a black mother under South Africa during apartheid, if he had been noticed by the authorities, they would have taken him from his family and put him… somewhere. So merely surviving until the end of apartheid was no mean feat. Add to that extreme poverty, violence and life under the most oppressive, racist regime you can imagine. Actually, you may not be able to imagine it. I knew it was bad, but South Africa refined oppression into an art form.
One of the other noteworthy things about this book was that I learned great deal about things I thought I already knew. I don’t know if Noah intended it as a cautionary tale, but it is. Chilling.
I didn’t read the book. I listened to the audiobook because Noah reads it himself. He has a beautiful, melodic voice and a lovely cadence. It was a treat for my ears and my brain.
You might think with all of this terrible stuff — and some of it is really horrific — that this would be an angry, possibly embittered man. But he isn’t.
He’s funny when humor is possible. Even when he’s serious, there is grace and wit — plus a sweetness and generosity of spirit that’s rather uplifting. I don’t think I’ve ever said that about a book. It’s not a word I use lightly. Trevor Noah is a rare person, able to appreciate the good stuff in his life and not obsess over the considerable amount of injustice he has experienced.
I’m not usually a big fan of celebrity memoirs or autobiographies, but this is exceptional. If you have the patience, listen to it as an audiobook. Otherwise, consider reading it. He’s a smart guy, a good writer, and an astute observer of humanity, government, politics, and relationships. Insightful, witty, and entertaining, I highly recommend it.