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.
Biographies & Memoirs 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)

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 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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Beyond touching beautifully told a truth unimaginable!

I loved listening to this book. Trevor Noah is a must read/listen to. You couldn’t dream this stuff up, it’s so full of pain,courage and the sweetness of life. I’ve always enjoyed watching late night news delivered by the clever comedian Trevor Nova. Now when I watch him I will have a whole new understanding of how this handsome man developed his amazing humour and wit he gets it from his Momma!

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Thumbs up!!

it was an amazing read(listen), very relatable as an African child. brilliant story telling by Trevor as usual, very captivating and informative.

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Great read! Deffinelty recommended

Great read especially with Trevor himself reading the book and speaking in the multiple languages. Really makes the book come to life. #Audible1

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Well Done!

Great listen. Thought this would be more comedic but it is an amazing story about his trials and tribulations. He narrates perfectly. The stories draw you in and it's hard to stop listening. I would listen again. #Audible1

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Amazing audio book

this was my first audio book that i got with the free trial and it was amazing. Trevor Noah's story is surprisingly compelling and the fact that he's the narrator just makes it feel like he's there with you telling his life story. I highly recommend this

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What an amazing autobiography of Trevor Noah.

You must listen right till the end. I am astounded at the richness and diversity of experiences Trevor has had in his short lifetime. The unjustness of it all is only outweighed by his incredible ability to not think of himself as a victim. something taught by his wonderful mother.

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Amazing

Fantastic book , amazing story telling as well , Trevor Noah , what a life and what a story !!

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great easy listen

Go HITLER go HITLER go HITLER LOL you will get it when you read it.. hilarious

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insightfully unique perspective on life

his unique perspective of his experiences, his feelings through different stages of his life. its a story of multiple relationships that seems to culminate into the ultimate love story - I will leave it to you to determine with whom Trevor is 'in love' with. having read the book and having listened to the audio version, I definitely prefer having Trevor read his book to you. the subtleties oh his vocal intonations and his absolute mastery of many languages enhance your experience of 'born a crime, stories from a south African childhood'

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Amazing story and performance

Gripping story. I had no idea that Trevor Noah had such a complex and challenging childhood. I would totally recommend this book.

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