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Reviews
The Naked Don't Fear the Water: An Underground Journey with Afghan Refugees by Matthieu Aikins
wilkerwyrm's review
4.0
This is an extensive look at the journey of migrants across Europe. It’s fascinating but he didn’t have time to go into every aspect of the journey. The parts he did focus on, he was an incredible witness to. I especially appreciate his focus on unaccompanied minors.
finny's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
4.0
Racconto di quello che facciamo finta di non vedere (o che non vogliamo vedere) davanti alle porte di casa nostra. Scritto in modo estremamente scorrevole, con un tono quasi più da romanzo che da saggio.
klohrentz's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.0
theliterarybelle's review
3.0
rating: ★★★★/5
The naked don’t fear the water, is a recall of the hardships and the story of immigrants. At its core it’s about love, pain and most of hope. I adored How each person in this biographical memoir is faced with their own unique set of challenges, yet they are somehow intertwined with one another. I couldn’t help but find myself impressed by the extensive information and research presented by the author throughout this novel.
Furthermore, one of the many things that really stood out to me- was the ability of the writer to convey the story of Omar & other immigrants hardships without glorifying the violence, or depicts them in need of a “saviour” complex. I truly applaud Aikins for his execution of such a delicate situation.
Additionally, I found it interesting to read about the dynamic between the different ethic refugees and how their treatment varied. Depending on where they originated from and how that accoladed to their ability to be faced with deportation or be given stay.
The naked don’t fear the water; is devastating. There is no doubt about that. however, what it is also; is a reflection of people, and how many people share the same reality as Omar. From being in a war torn country, to being stranded at the border and everything else in between.
Personally, I’m certain their is aspects of this that every person of colour can relate to. Particularly, how society views POC and especially those who are immigrants.
Quotes I adored:
“For the first time in my life I had an inkling to what the border meant to so many others: a wall between you and someone you loved”
“But in truth, we can’t leave ourselves behind, we only get one story”
“For what else is life’s journey but a search for our beloved?”
“What to say? The single story cannot contain a whole life”
Massive thank you to the lovely folks @fitz for an advance readers copy; you can find a copy of the naked don’t fear the water from today’s onwards!! I highly recommend it.
sunset8305's review
4.0
Helping refugee communities is a huge passion of mine, stemming from my college days. I picked this book up to get more of an inside look into the life (and journey) of a refugee, and it didn’t disappoint. Aikins provides often heartbreaking details about the difficulties and frustrations of life as a refugee… and the moments of uplift that are nothing but prized victories.
I will say, my mind drifted at times with the volume of detail. It felt rather dense, but I realize he was putting his journalist hat on to give the reader the full picture. I wish I’d read this before my volunteer experience at a refugee camp in Greece a few years ago - certainly would have shaped my perspective going into that experience.
I will say, my mind drifted at times with the volume of detail. It felt rather dense, but I realize he was putting his journalist hat on to give the reader the full picture. I wish I’d read this before my volunteer experience at a refugee camp in Greece a few years ago - certainly would have shaped my perspective going into that experience.