Born a Crime Audiobook By Trevor Noah cover art

Born a Crime

Stories from a South African Childhood

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Born a Crime

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.

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Editorial reviews

Editors Select, November 2016 - Just as fans of The Daily Show weren't quite sure what to expect when he was announced as the show's new host, I started Born a Crime not really knowing what I'd find in Noah's book. Comedy? Political and social commentary? Sure, but not in the way I expected. Instead, I was given so much more. Noah's story is intertwined with the final years and aftermath of apartheid-era South Africa. It's a story that begins with Noah's mother throwing him from a moving car to avoid a potentially fatal dispute with gangsters and follows the comedian's path to self-discovery amid episodes both bittersweet and comical. It's eloquent and touching and funny and made all the better with his reading, especially as he recounts anecdotes involving his mother - the true show stealer - and delivers clever turns of phrase as only a top-notch comic and storyteller can. Doug, Audible Editor

The author’s gift for vocal impersonation elevates the audio version into something even more splendid than an already terrific memoir.

- The Washington Post

Our favorite moments from Born a Crime

"No, Mom! This was not thanks to God!"
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"Once Mandela was elected, we could finally live freely."
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"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."

About the Author and Performer

Trevor Noah found fame as a comedian and TV personality in his native South Africa before becoming a household name in America as the host of The Daily Show. But before he found his gift for satire, he came of age as a storyteller during the waning days of apartheid and the tumultuous freedom that followed. In writing and performing Born a Crime—his first book—Trevor Noah can add “best-selling memoirist” and “audiobook narrator” to his list of hilarious-yet-heartfelt triumphs.

What listeners say about Born a Crime

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  • Overall
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Absolutely great

My kids (12 and 15), my husband and I listened on both legs of a 6 hour round trip and there was not a single request to turn it off or switch to pop music or hard rock! That's pretty extraordinary for my family of diverse tastes. We were entertained and given an amazing glimpse into a world we know nothing about. Lots to think about. Highly recommended.

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48 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Pretty good

Great initial story but it got long winded and boring at the end. I got hustling after the first example. All in all a good car trip listen but not with kids.

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33 people found this helpful

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AMAZING!

I love stories. I believe stories are what bring people together how we can learn to see the commonalities between us all. I loved This audio book! Trevor Noah takes us through is journey growing up the insights he learned from his family mainly his mother with a comedy twist at every corner and thoughtful wisdom throughout this book I highly recommend! Go ahead treat yourself to this audio book it's worth it guaranteed!

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21 people found this helpful

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great story but not school appropriate

I thought this would be a good addition to our curriculum and I love the story and the insight into his works and thoughts. but I teach teenagers. the language gets progressively worse. there are references to porn. there are disrespectful notes about law enforcement (important to the story but teenagers won't be able to differentiate). there's is some glorification to gangs and illegal activities (again, important to the story but not for american teenagers who can't differentiate)

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14 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars

So much more than just a story.

A captivating story of triumph over almost impossible odds. I would recommend this as a reading suggestion for students. I really enjoyed and celebrate this book.

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13 people found this helpful

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Great! Great! Great Book!

At first I was weary because I don't favor books where the author narrates their own work (autobiographies included), but I shouldn't of hesitated. This book is not only engaging, hilarious and relatable but it also has an introspective quality to it. You get a deeper look into apartheid where you see the cause and effect of such a system and the parallels within America.

I would recommend this book to anyone and everyone. Trevor does an excellent job narrating and he really captures your attention. There are gaps in this book, so I am looking forward to another one in the future. Thanks for sharing your story.

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11 people found this helpful

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Phenomenal!

I was hooked! The Story, the Performance, and the Content on so many levels was just AWESOME! I'd always thought Trevor Noah was kinda cool, you know; I wasn't Hooked to The Daily Show as I'd been when Jon Stewart was hosting,,,. But one night he had on Tomi Lahren - who I'd never heard of up until this point - and wow; his level of professionalism, his journalistic integrity, & his incredibly polite and positive composure in the face of such blatant ignorance moved me to being a full fledged Fan! *I skipped anything in my wish list & bought this book that Night. Listened to it non-stop & honestly got through it quicker than Any audiobook I've Ever listen to.
Freaking GREAT Read (Listen).
The performance, to be expected, was top notch. But the content, on So Many Levels, was just str8 up Phenomenal!
Get this book. Get this book for yourself, get it for your racist uncle / family member, get it for your hot blonde Tomi Barbie girlfriend, get it for your confused hipster / millennial, for your bible thumping grandmother, or for anyone who's ever felt displaced or downtrodden, for anyone who needs Hope or a Laugh or a Smile, get this book for anyone who voted for Trump or for Hillary, & get it for those of us who still feel the Bern.
I'd recommend this story for Everyone.
*Big thanks to @TrevorNoah for sharing his incredibly inspiring story!
***Share this book & make the world a better place for ALL.

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6 people found this helpful

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Crime No More

Trevor Noah is obviously a treasure. He tells his story with humor and joy. The story itself, though, is not all joy! You feel the uncertainty of his childhood years, the reality of not fitting in in his own country, and the ever-present fear of sudden violence.

Whatever justified anger and resentment Noah brings from the pain of Apartheid, he tempers with true love for his family and a wonderful sense of perspective.

Listening to this is a delight - and you learn something, too!

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5 people found this helpful

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No Laughing matter

A nice glimpse of the man behind the laughter.
a man raised by strong women.

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5 people found this helpful

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I want there rest of the story.....

They only thing I don't like is that I want to know more. What happened next? Perhaps it was humility that we never really were told how Trevor Noah got from where he was, to where he is. His personal story is miraculous. I thought I knew a lot abt apartheid and a lot abt domestic violence, but I learned a lot and was riveted and at times horrified. Yet, it is a story of great courage, resiliency, and character. This is on my holiday list to give to several people.

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5 people found this helpful