Groping around for the naked truth

Non-Fiction: Naked At Lunch. By Mark Haskell Smith. Atlantic Books, €12.

The wearers of assless chaps are unaffected by new nudism legislation in San Francisco. Picture: Getty

Shortly after Mark Haskell Smith’s cruise ship left port, the cruise director made an announcement: “We are safely away and you can now enjoy a carefree environment.” That was the cue for passengers to get naked. Smith was travelling on the Big Nude Boat, a Caribbean cruise charter offered by the “nakation” travel agency Bare Necessities. On board were 1,866 nudists eager to throw off the shackles of textile repression.

Naked At Lunch ...