The Naked Don't Fear the Water: A Journey Through the Refugee Underground

A young Afghan driver and translator named Omar flees his country in 2016, leaving behind his love, Laila. Matthieu Aikins, a journalist, follows him on the refugee trail, facing setbacks and dangers. The film explores the migration crisis and the people involved, including smugglers, cops, activists, and refugees fleeing war for a better life. It is a harrowing yet hopeful tale of love and friendship across borders and an inquiry into our shared journey in a divided world.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 384 pages
Publication date: 15 February 2022
Publisher: Fitzcarraldo Editions

In 2016, a young Afghan driver and translator named Omar made a heart-wrenching choice to flee his war-torn country, bidding farewell to his beloved Laila, without knowing when they might be reunited again. He was one of millions of refugees who left their homes that year, seeking safety and a better future.

Matthieu Aikins, a journalist living in Kabul, decided to follow his friend Omar on his journey. To do so, he had to leave his own passport and identity behind and go underground on the refugee trail, alongside Omar. Their odyssey across land and sea from Afghanistan to Europe brought them face to face with the people at the 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 mounted for the two friends, Matthieu was also drawn into the escape plans of Omars entire family, including Maryam, the matriarch who had fought ferociously for her childrens survival.

Harrowing yet hopeful, The Naked Dont Fear the Water is a tale of love and friendship across borders, and an inquiry into our shared journey in a divided world. It sheds light on the complexities and challenges of the refugee crisis, and the human stories that are often overlooked or misunderstood.

Through the eyes of Matthieu and Omar, the reader witnesses the struggles and sacrifices made by those on the front lines of the migration crisis. They meet smugglers who risk their lives to transport refugees across borders, cops who work tirelessly to prevent illegal crossings, activists who advocate for the rights of refugees, and the men, women, and children who have left everything behind in search of a better life.

The book also delves into the personal stories of the refugees themselves, their hopes and dreams, and the challenges they face in their new lives. It explores the trauma of displacement, the loss of loved ones, and the struggle to rebuild a life in a foreign land.

The Naked Dont Fear the Water is a powerful and emotional work that raises important questions about our responsibility to each other and the world we share. It reminds us of the human cost of war and the importance of compassion and empathy in a divided world.

In conclusion, The Naked Dont Fear the Water is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the refugee crisis and the human stories that are at the heart of it. It is a testament to the resilience and strength of the human spirit, and a call to action for those who want to make a difference in the lives of those who have been forced to flee their homes.

Weight: 436g
Dimension: 196 x 188 x 38 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781913097851