
The Naked Don't Fear the Water
An Underground Journey with Afghan Refugees
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Narrated by:
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Nick Nikon
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By:
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Matthieu Aikins
Winner of the 2025 Pulitzer Prize for Explanatory Reporting · A New York Times Book Review Editor’s Choice
“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 PublishersListeners also enjoyed...




















Wasn’t this edited?
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Great, important story
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Great story spoken awkwardly
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Very educational
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extraordinary
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Educational Narrative
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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.
Yes, blame Europe for the migration mess
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awful narration
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This is a very important story
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Too much story, not enough behind the scenes
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