• Born a Crime

  • Stories from a South African Childhood
  • By: Trevor Noah
  • Narrated by: Trevor Noah
  • Length: 8 hrs and 44 mins
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (2,969 ratings)

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Born a Crime  By  cover art

Born a Crime

By: Trevor Noah
Narrated by: Trevor Noah
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Publisher's summary

The compelling, inspiring (often comic) coming-of-age story of Trevor Noah, set during the twilight of apartheid and the tumultuous days of freedom that followed.

One of the comedy world's brightest new voices, Trevor Noah is a light-footed but sharp-minded observer of the absurdities of politics, race and identity, sharing jokes and insights drawn from the wealth of experience acquired in his relatively young life. As host of the US hit show The Daily Show with Trevor Noah, he provides viewers around the globe with their nightly dose of biting satire, but here Noah turns his focus inward, giving listeners a deeply personal, heartfelt and humorous look at the world that shaped him.

Noah was born a crime, son of a white Swiss father and a black Xhosa mother, at a time when such a union was punishable by five years in prison. Living proof of his parents' indiscretion, Trevor was kept mostly indoors for the first years of his life, bound by the extreme and often absurd measures his mother took to hide him from a government that could, at any moment, take him away.

A collection of 18 personal stories, Born a Crime tells the story of a mischievous young boy growing into a restless young man as he struggles to find his place in a world where he was never supposed to exist. Born a Crime is equally the story of that young man's fearless, rebellious and fervently religious mother - a woman determined to save her son from the cycle of poverty, violence and abuse that ultimately threatens her own life.

Whether subsisting on caterpillars for dinner during hard times, being thrown from a moving car during an attempted kidnapping, or just trying to survive the life-and-death pitfalls of dating in high school, Noah illuminates his curious world with incisive wit and unflinching honesty. His stories weave together to form a personal portrait of an unlikely childhood in a dangerous time, as moving and unforgettable as the very best memoirs and as funny as Noah's own hilarious stand-up.

Born a Crime is a must-listen.

©2016 Trevor Noah (P)2016 Audible Ltd.

What listeners say about Born a Crime

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Moving, hilarious, surprisingly informative

Would you consider the audio edition of Born a Crime to be better than the print version?

Definitely. This is a book that really makes sense as an audiobook because it's narrated by the author who does a brilliant job, but particularly because of the languages and accents. Having Trevor imitate the different languages as he gave history and explanations of South African culture and Apartheid added a new dimension and an immediate understanding of the "character' as soon as you heard the voice/accent he used. He also speaks the non-English languages, saving the reader from attempting to read them themselves. He's also hilarious.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Born a Crime?

One of the first scenes that Trevor describes is the one that still stays with me the clearest and the one I found most impactful. He, his mother, and baby Andrew jumping out of the van (technically, Trevor was thrown from the van), and running away from the threatening driver. The young Trevor's take on the incident is incredibly sweet and naive, yet really quite dark and upsetting. The whole thing is moving, shocking, and still funny in the way Trevor tells it.

What does Trevor Noah bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

As above - it's the accents and languages. Also, Trevor's impersonation of his younger self is very endearing.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Just because hate is taught, it doesn't have to be learned.

Any additional comments?

I have been a fan of Trevor's comedy so when he released this book I knew I wanted to read it. It was intelligently but humorously written, but what surprised me was how much I learned about South African culture during/after Apartheid. The book showed me the gaping holes in my knowledge of what I thought was simply another case of white racism to blacks. Apartheid went so much deeper than that. It was designed to create hate and fear and disunity, not only between whites and blacks but between coloureds and other races. It was incredible to read about what life was like, and how the colour of your skin or the language you spoke really did affect every part of life there.

Trevor's own personal story itself was fascinating and often tragic, but on the whole the reader isn't left pitying him. He speaks matter-of-factly and honestly about the tragedies, but the core of his story is set in a firm foundation of love from his mother. You admire Trevor and his mother, you don't pity them.

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25 people found this helpful

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Mind-blowing

I absolutely loved it! I love the honesty and realness of it. I will be listening again and buying the book (God Willing). It inspired me. I love his mum and the relationship they have! Very very nice.

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10 people found this helpful

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Everything BUT childhood stories!

As a South African born in 1976 when the ever so often mentioned by Trevor, apartheid, was probably taking a turn for the worst, he conveniently forget to mention the turn of events, that has through the years, caused the black people of South Africa to force the police to do the things they did.

Yes I’m a white South African. Trevor is NOT a white South African, but a Colored. So why for the love of all things great his grandmother would say that she “
doesn’t want to kill a white person” is beyond me. Killing of any race, is in my eyes a crime. Not the fact that your biological father was white. You were not born a crime Trevor.

From where I sit, Trevor Noah did not get the raw end of the stick at all as he is peacefully living the high life in the United States, has his own television show, whilst still making stand up comedy about the blacks, the way they act, the things they do and mock the way they talk. Why? Because he is making truck loads of money off a complete mockery of our country and probably like millions of South Africans felt that leaving the country was the right thing to do.

Then adding fuel to the fire, wrote a book about something he hardly should be able to recall as he clearly states he was 5 when the black people took over South Africa. “Blood flowed. No white blood....”.

Don’t write absurd things, then use those same people to make money off it.

Seriously??? What would a foreigner think of white South Africans, blissfully unaware of what actually happened here so many years ago.

He conveniently don’t write about that but gets several stabs in with racial attacks on whites and how white people “oppressed” the black people of this country.

He make mention of blacks not having public transport. Lies. Black people going to white churches. Lies. To this day, you will be lucky if you find blacks, colored people or even Indian or Asian people in old traditional churches. We just don’t go to each other’s churches. The old traditional type churches that is. Like the ones he was talking about.

When Trevor Noah got his big break here on television doing a cellular networks adds, people loved him. He was given an opportunity to do standup comedyHe is funny and witty.

But with all due respect, I’ve gone halfway through the book and decided to put it down.

He is not telling the whole story, and only paint a picture of how poorly whites treat(ed) black people. It is not true. A story has two sides.

Could somebody please let him know that by referring to black and colored people as natives, doesn’t soften the blow. Natives???? Oh my goodness.

I bought this book because the review stated that it had some humor in it. It actually stirred up so much anger in me that I could not finish it.

As I stated above. I’ve lost all respect for him and will never watch any of his shows again, nor will I ever read or listen to anything he wrote or that comes out of his mouth.

Very disappointed.

Someone should ask him to write a book about the current situation here in South Africa. Oh wait, he wouldn’t know. He left because life here has become unbearable. I know. I’m still here.

Let it go Trevor. Stick to comedy please.

A white South African should write a book about our distorted justice system and farm murders and our corrupt government. That would make for very informative reading.

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8 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Possibly the best Audiobook I’ve listened to

Trevor another is an enigma. Listening to this book as a white South African raised during apartheid and who witnessed its collapse, this book has had a profound effect in me. Trevor’s description and explanation of the realities of the 80s and 90s in SA are astonishing. The perspective he provides is unique.
And hearing him actually reading it - wow! That’s why made it so deeply moving I think.

A book every South African should read! If they are brave enough!
Thank you Trevor!

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5 people found this helpful

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Exceptional.

Everything about this book is great. Trevor Noah, you rock! and so does your mom.

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What a fantastic book!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would definitely recommend this book to others I liked how humour was woven into such serious themes of poverty, domestic violence and racial discrimination.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Trevor's mother. She was a woman of substance. A woman of great strength and faith which saved her in the end. What a life!

Have you listened to any of Trevor Noah’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Yes, I have subscribed to Trevor's daily Show. It is the last thing I watch on my phone before I go to sleep every night. I think its good to go to sleep laughing. Now I understand Trevor better and love him even more. I understand he visited my country Trinidad some months ago,(Feb 2018) How I would have loved to meet him.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No, I rather take it in pieces and that's how I listened to it. I chose to savour every bit of it. I did not want it to end. It was good that Trevor read it himself.

Any additional comments?

It was also very informative since I was able to learn about African culture during apartheid. I can't wait for the movie.

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An amazing performance of a riveting story

Would you consider the audio edition of Born a Crime to be better than the print version?

For Non-African people unfamiliar with African culture, the performance of the audiobook by Trevor Noah imparts the heart of the book more than it might if it was read off the pages. Trevor Noah is funny, heartfelt & vigorous.

What did you like best about this story?

The amazing turn of events and the author as we know today, managing to escape that life and being where he is now.

What about Trevor Noah’s performance did you like?

The book deals with multiple cultures ranging from European to African and languages of different African tribes. It is likely very few people can bring the book to life & one of those people is Trevor Noah.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, it is RIVETING. But it is 8 hours.

Any additional comments?

Very satisfied with this audiobook.

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A blistering book, hooked from chapt 1

Captivating read, not a difficult book, very simple but funny with a lot of talent by Trevor.

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A most enjoyable read. Way more than I anticipated

I thought to buy this book because watching Trevor Noah’s hilarious Daily Show excerpts on YouTube affords me a big belly laugh. I was prepared to be entertained but wasn’t expecting to be inspired and educated. It left me with a very different impression of Trevor Noah. Not solely a VERY FUNNY GUY, but also someone who is very resilient and who has tremendous insight. I loved that he narrated and enjoyed hearing his story unfold in different accents. That really brought it to life. Very descriptive. Guaranteed to make you smile, laugh, think, appreciate life, appreciate others and view others with a generous eye. A great read!! Thanks for sharing your story with us, Mr Noah!!

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Most Fiction-like NonFiction you'll ever listen to

What made the experience of listening to Born a Crime the most enjoyable?

Hearing about the experiences of living in South Africa, confirming and eradicating some of the stereotypes I've heard.

What did you like best about this story?

Nothing was overexaggerated, just presented exactly how it happened.

What about Trevor Noah’s performance did you like?

Trevors narration make's you feel as if though you're being told a story by every character he imitates. There lies such genuineness and intrigue in each word, it'll feel like licking food off your fingers after eating the most delicious thing you've ever eaten.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I laughed every chapter, and cried for the last.

Any additional comments?

Best book I've listened to for the year. I Highly Recommend!

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