The Naked Don't Fear the Water

An Underground Journey with Afghan Refugees

By: Matthieu Aikins

Narrated by: Nick Nikon

Length: 9 hrs and 36 mins

Publisher's summary

“This is a book of radical empathy, crossing many borders – not just borders that separate nations, but also borders of form, borders of meaning, and borders of possibility. It is powerful and humane and deserves to find a wide, wandering readership.” — Mohsin Hamid, author of Exit West

In this extraordinary book, an acclaimed young war reporter chronicles a dangerous journey on the smuggler’s road to Europe, accompanying his friend, an Afghan refugee, in search of a better future.

In 2016, a young Afghan driver and translator named Omar makes the heart-wrenching choice to flee his war-torn country, saying goodbye to Laila, the love of his life, without knowing when they might be reunited again. He is one of millions of refugees who leave their homes that year.

Matthieu Aikins, a journalist living in Kabul, decides to follow his friend. In order to do so, he must leave his own passport and identity behind to go underground on the refugee trail with Omar. Their odyssey across land and sea from Afghanistan to Europe brings them face to face with the people at heart of the migration crisis: smugglers, cops, activists, and the men, women and children fleeing war in search of a better life. As setbacks and dangers mount for the two friends, Matthieu is also drawn into the escape plans of Omar’s entire family, including Maryam, the matriarch who has fought ferociously for her children’s survival.

Harrowing yet hopeful, this exceptional work brings into sharp focus one of the most contentious issues of our times. The Naked Don’t Fear the Water is a tale of love and friendship across borders, and an inquiry into our shared journey in a divided world.

Supplemental enhancement PDF accompanies the audiobook.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2021 Matthieu Aikins (P)2021 HarperCollins Publishers

Great story, horrible narration

Unfortunately the narration distracted me from the story. Often the narrator emphasized the wrong word in a sentence or paused at the wrong place, as if he wasn't a fluent English speaker. Sometimes it sounded like a computer program was reading the story. And then he said that someone had a Midwestern accent but spoke with a Southern drawl. He didn't know how to say "Rihanna". So many times these little mistakes in the narration would make me stop to think about it and I couldn't get lost in the story like I wanted to.

It was a very good story and at times seemed fictional because of the drama and suspense. It is a real life version of the novel American Dirt but in a very different part of the world. This book helped me see the big picture of wealth inequality in the world and how many people are trying to improve their circumstances by migrating to wealthier countries. And how difficult this journey is for them because of the tight borders and the need to work with smugglers, use fake documents, and put yourself in very dangerous circumstances along the way.

Yes, blame Europe for the migration mess

A strange book. It depicts the difficult and dangerous life of migrants, which is of course pitiful, and clearly shows that many more migrants would flee if the journey was easier.

At the same time it almost blames the West for the migrants' difficult life. It celebrates the far leftist ideas of no borders and anti-capitalism.

As if the freedom and relative wealth of Europe grew on trees and was not based in Europe's culture, democracy and market economy. And as if the coveted Europe was responsible for the hatred between ethnic and religious groups in Afghanistan and elsewhere. As if the West should and indeed could ensure peace there (the US tried). And as if Europe should save everyone and destroy capitalism, it's source if success.

The communist ideas in the book have been tried. Why nobody flees to the paradises if N. Korea, Cuba, Venezuela or China is not explained.

I grew up in communist Czechoslovakia - I know it is all sh*t.

great story, powerful words.

great story, powerful words! It had so many great facts and phrases in there I listened to chapters multiple times. He had things in there from multiple sources, a different veiw on Obama I had never heard before. What a great author! you did what I've always dreamed of doing, and I hope on some level you are able to help all refugees out there.

Fascinating journey

I listeed to this book after hearing an interview on NPR where Matthieu was interviewed. I found the entire premise fascinating and decided to venture away from my usual paranormal and fantasy romance books to give it a go. I’m really glad I did. It opened my eyes in many ways. One quote really stood out to me. “Maybe that’s what “No Borders” meant, you can start in your heart, with your neighbors, in your city.” The narration isn’t great but that’s easily overlooked when you fall headlong into Omar’s journey.

Very educational

Authentic , very well written and performed documentary. Balanced. Brave author. I understand how human migrations actually happen now

Captivating story

This is a story that everyone who is privileged enough to not have to flee their home should read. I just wish they had found a narrator who knew how to pronounce common words like “corps” - it wasn’t constant, but distracting when it did happen. Nonetheless, I highly recommend this book.

Educational Narrative

Well done reporting in a humane voice. Got to admire the author's persistence & integrity.

Horrible narration ruins a good story

I couldn’t get over the narration and gave up. It was too bad because I really liked the idea of the story.

A great story and great reporting

The details contained in this story are harrowing and the author gives an insightful window into the many challenges faced by refuges.

Narrator

A compelling story but the narrator was my least favorite of all of my audible purchases. His phrasing
was awkward, stilted and impacted the over prosody of the recording