Born a Crime by Trevor Noah vs. Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
Born a Crime by Trevor Noah
Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood is Trevor Noah’s autobiography, published in 2016. It tells the story of his early years growing up in South Africa during and after apartheid. The title comes from the fact that his birth—he had a black Xhosa mother and a white Swiss-German father—was literally considered a crime under apartheid laws that banned interracial relationships at the time. The book is a mix of humor and tough truths. Much of it focuses on Trevor’s relationship with his mother, Patricia, who plays a huge role in his life. She’s portrayed as tough, religious, and fiercely independent—someone who dragged him to multiple church services every week, even during times of violence and unrest. Her strong influence shapes his character, often through strict discipline and sharp lessons about right and wrong. Trevor shares stories from his childhood that range from funny to intense. There’s a scene where his mother throws him out of a moving minibus to save him f...
Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
"Project Hail Mary" is a space adventure story written by Andy Weir, the same guy who wrote "The Martian." It's about a man named Ryland Grace who wakes up on a spaceship with no memory of who he is or why he's there. He figures out he's on a mission to save Earth from disaster. The story follows him as he tries to remember his past and complete his mission, which involves a lot of science and problem-solving. Along the way, he meets an alien, and they form an unlikely friendship. The book is full of cool science stuff, suspense, and humor. It's like a mix of a mystery and a space adventure, with a lot of heart. The narration by Ray Porter is superb, with sound effects and excellent voice work.


Reviews
Reviewed on 2/25/2025
I'm a sucker for audiobooks read by the author and this is one of them. Trevor Noah is a skilled comedian and his stories of his growing up in South Africa are genuinely hilarious. It's like listening to a book-length stand up show.
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Frequently Asked Questions
'Project Hail Mary' by Andy Weir and 'Born a Crime' by Trevor Noah cater to different tastes. If you enjoy space adventure stories with scientific problem-solving and suspense, 'Project Hail Mary' might be better for you. It is narrated by Ray Porter, who enhances the experience with excellent voice work and sound effects. On the other hand, if you prefer autobiographical humor and enjoy narratives read by the author, 'Born a Crime' offers a hilarious and easy-listening experience, read by comedian Trevor Noah himself.
The quality of narration in both 'Born a Crime' and 'Project Hail Mary' is highly praised but for different reasons. 'Born a Crime' is read by its author, Trevor Noah, whose comedic timing and personal connection to the material add a unique charm and authenticity. 'Project Hail Mary,' narrated by Ray Porter, features professional voice work with added sound effects, creating an immersive listening experience. Your preference may depend on whether you favor an author's personal touch or a more theatrical production.
Both 'Born a Crime' and 'Project Hail Mary' incorporate humor, but in different styles. 'Born a Crime' is filled with comedic anecdotes from Trevor Noah's life in South Africa, delivered in his signature humorous style, making it a laugh-out-loud experience. 'Project Hail Mary,' while primarily a science fiction adventure, includes witty dialogue and humorous situations, adding levity to the suspenseful plot. If you’re looking for consistent comedy, 'Born a Crime' might be the better choice.
'Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood' is Trevor Noah’s autobiography that recounts his early years growing up in South Africa during and after apartheid. The book explores themes of race, identity, and resilience, focusing on his relationship with his mother and the challenges they faced due to the apartheid laws that deemed his very existence a crime.
Trevor Noah is a South African comedian, television host, and political commentator, best known for hosting 'The Daily Show' on Comedy Central. He gained international fame for his insightful and humorous takes on current events, and his autobiography 'Born a Crime' has been widely praised for its storytelling and humor.
Pros of 'Born a Crime' include that it is read by Trevor Noah himself, making it an engaging audiobook experience. Many listeners find it funny and appreciate its easy listening quality. There are currently no cons listed for the book.
'Born a Crime' has an engaging and warm ambiance, as Trevor Noah uses humor to navigate serious topics. His storytelling style creates a relatable and entertaining atmosphere, making listeners feel as though they are part of his journey.
Readers have praised 'Born a Crime' for its humor and authenticity. Many enjoy listening to the audiobook version, especially since it is narrated by Trevor Noah himself, which adds a personal touch to the stories he shares about his childhood in South Africa.
'Project Hail Mary' is a space adventure story written by Andy Weir, the same author of 'The Martian.' The plot follows Ryland Grace, who wakes up on a spaceship with no memory of who he is or why he's there. He gradually discovers that he's on a mission to save Earth from an impending disaster. The story involves a lot of science and problem-solving and even features an unlikely friendship with an alien. It combines elements of mystery, suspense, and humor, making it both a thrilling and heartwarming read.
Pros of 'Project Hail Mary' include the superb narration by Ray Porter and the inclusion of sound effects, which enhance the listening experience. At this time, there are no user-generated cons listed for this audiobook.
'Project Hail Mary' is narrated by Ray Porter, whose superb voice work and use of sound effects significantly enhance the audiobook experience.