“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.