The Naked Don't Fear the Water

An Underground Journey with Afghan Refugees

By: Matthieu Aikins

Narrated by: Nick Nikon

“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

Wasn’t this edited?

The narrator mispronounced so many words (even in English) it made me wonder whether anyone listened before publication. Writing and story were great.

Great, important story

Narrator has nice voice but terrible pronunciation of common words and not a smooth reader

Very educational

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

Great story spoken awkwardly

If you’re like me and listening to a book is an almost essential way to process a book, then you’re at the mercy of the reader. Nick Nikon seemed to voice the Middle Eastern words much better than the English, which was an ongoing distraction. He did it better than I could!

Educational Narrative

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

Too much story, not enough behind the scenes

A European version of Mexican corruption, people and drug smuggling…,this ain’t it. Any suggestions ?

I had higher hopes for this book

It turns out that the underground journey from Afghanistan to Europe is a bit boring. There are a few exciting moments, but overall, it's a lot of waiting around in migrant camps or "safe houses".
I don't want to be too critical as it was pretty remarkable that the author undertook this.

In the end, however, I was still not totally clear on how this process worked.

Another thing was was never explained was how these people from incredibly poor countries got their money. It was like $2000 to get across a certain border, then more to go on, then something new came up and it was another $1000 for a fake passport, then they needed plane tickets for another $1000. Where the money came from and how they accessed that money was never really explained. Plus they always seemed to have money for a few beers, a kebab, smokes, and when it was available, a little Maryjane.

But, if you are interested in the refugee and migrant situtation, the book is definitely worth a listen

This is a very important story

I was a bit afraid to start this book because of the length, but it turned out to be such a "page-turner" that I finished it much earlier than I usually do. Actually, I really looked forward to listening to it outside my usual audio-book-friendly activities as well. This is a fascinating, very well-written story, but a difficult and heartbreaking one at the same time. I was really interested in the topic and it was like I expected it to be, but much more intensive because of the personal experiences. I really recommend it.

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.

awful narration

the narration destroyed this book. it is clear the reader was just reading words without any comprehension for the narrative’s tempo or storyline. disappointing.