Born a Crime

Stories from a South African Childhood

By: Trevor Noah

Narrated by: Trevor Noah

Length: 8 hrs and 44 mins

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.

Captivating

A very captivating story, told from the heart. A mixture of funny moments, motivating contexts and glaring realities. The story was easy to follow, and it was told in such a fashion that I always wanted to hear more. Trevor Noah is truly an artist. I really look forward to the film adaptation.

Life changing book

Loved it!!!
And what made it most enjoyable was the fact that he narrated the book himself!

Incredible story of a outsider in a racial society

Life can be much harder and as the Gita says, you cannot change what life throws at you but you can change your response to the situation. This is a poignant story of an outsider.

Who wouldn't enjoy this story

Trevor is the outsider who makes his way through the grim circumstances of apartheid by using his great empathy, skills. & talents, with a light touch.
It offers also a tribute to his mother, a woman of great courage & humour.
Trevor is terrific with accents too, which makes the performance funny & entertaining.
It is a book anyone would enjoy.

One of the most beautiful stories ever.

Genuine story, as a South African I truly see it and relate with it completely.

Written for the American reader /listener

Being a South African, I feel that this story was written for an American audience. Not that it's good or bad, just feel that as a South African listening to it, some parts were just 'over explained'. I was a bit bored here and there, but the last bit was quite gripping, and I reiterate, I think it's for the American reader. That said, well done Trevor, for rising like the Sphinx.

Worth sharing

Hi, I'm Jake Antuán, a simple man from mexico... I just wanna tell you that this is a beautiful story, it brought me back to my childhood memories, my poverty, my tough love mother and alll the adventures in between. The way Patricia raised her child is pretty similar to how my mother raised me, I loved every part of this book, an unconditional love, a real story, amazing lessons... everything.
Just amazing.

Thank you Trevor for sharing this with us.
Love... Jake.

Born a crime review

loved it , captivating through out the whole book. i can't wait for the movie.

amazing!

This story made me laugh, think, and it even almost made me cry. It was dynamic and well told. I loved every minute of it.

Great story...

Very well narrated too..
Its mysterious how life works.
Bitter sweet ending.
Glad I got this one