Born a Crime Review

Reflection of “Born a Crime” by Trevor Noah: A Comedy, Adversity, and Enlightenment

Introduction

This book by Trevor Noah is not so much a memoir as it is a collection of tales and the narrator’s experiences set complemented by wit, sorrow, and understanding of post-apartheid South Africa. Released in 2016, there is the audiobook version of this book with Noah himself as the narrator, which adds the genuine tone to the narration. Told by an actual comedian and the host of The Daily Show, Noah’s gift of storytelling can be profoundly boisterous in this autobiographical work that gives the audience a total background about his unfortunate childhood under the apartheid of race and poverty.

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Narrative and Themes

The audiobook starts with Noah’s birth, which is practically a crime under apartheid laws since he is mixed-race. This lays a foundation of what can be conceived as a plot, one regarding identity, family relationships, and the socio-political structures of South African society. Each of the chapters of the book is a story on its own but the series of events opens a powerful narrative of Noah’s transition from a wayward child from the streets of Soweto to a humorous global activist.

Abram’s listener characterization is centered on Noah’s narrative voice. His coordination between the laughing and the serious mood of the poem gives the listener much entertainment. In the series of the comedy, Mandla recalls his childhood stories with humor and deep thinking and tries to give his vision of racism, poverty, and the role of the authorities in South Africa after apartheid. This is especially so provided in the audiobook format; hearing Noah’s depiction of his feelings, from the humor to the tenderness of the antics and tribulations.

Character Development

At the center of “Born a Crime” are the personalities that instilled in Noah the boy’s values system. Patricia his religious mother equally surfaces as a prominent character whose tenacity in the difficult circumstances turns out to be instrumental in shaping Noah. Fierce discipline and constant affection turn him into the man that he is portrayed to be in the given novel. The missing white father complicates the story, in expressing the race conflict, besides the personal struggles in a society rich with themes of division.

These aspects can be realized through audiobook with help of Noah’s vocal performances for each person and make them have a different voice and character. This makes it easier for the listeners to get a feel of these two characters as if they are actually observing them interact.

Social Commentary

Thus, apart from being the author’s memoir based on personal experience, “Born a Crime” is a sociopolitical thriller as well. Noah also manages to intertwine historical specifics to his prose, giving his listeners certain insights to the problem of apartheid and its consequences that can still be traced in today’s South Africa. Race relations, income disparity, and the like are raw topics he deals with as strongly as he does humorously, forcing the listener to wade through the humor and implications.

The core issues of identity and belonging are depicted through the account of Noah, thus allowing the audience to reflect on the problems that people face in general. Thus, his resource to humor which he himself uses to lighten up even the toughest situations is a way of fighting the odds— a way of asserting the power of the human soul over the forces that fight it.

Audiobook Experience

Some of the ways that “Born a Crime” audiobook enthralls the audience are as follows. This device also helps the listeners to better relate personally to the flowing of the story from Noah’s perspective. The unique voice tonation and specific pace help to create the atmosphere of South Africa while describing the views and sounds of the childhood.

Also, added to this is the aspect of comedy in Noah and although the instances depicted in the show are horrifying Noah manages to give a humorous twist to even the most dire of situations. The format of the audiobook also enhances the audience experience and interactive reception since listeners can follow the story while, for example, at work or travelling, proving the opportunities of the new media.

Conclusion

Therefore, the reviewed “Born a Crime” by Trevor Noah transforms into an extraordinary audiobook that can merge different genres and touch any listener. In a similar way to the character of Louie in the film, Noah’s humor, candor and observations and vulnerability forces us to cast off the shroud of our prejudices and view disabled life from a new perspective. His life story from life in apartheid South Africa to being a world-renown athlete is therefore memoir, but also an inspiring story for the entire world.

Whether concerned with humor and Comedy through Trevor Noah or interested in history and complication of South African history, “Born a Crime” in Audiobook is perfect and unique. Thanks to Noah, the storytelling has reached new heights; it is utterly hilarious, inspiring and insight-provoking piece that should not be missed.

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