And All the Girls Were Nude

"And All the Girls Were Nude" by Richard Magruder is a satirical short story written in the mid-20th century. The narrative centers around Nathanial Evergood, an eccentric old man consumed by his obsession with photographing young women in various states of undress. The book explores themes of voyeurism, morality, and the consequences of one’s deviant pursuits in a society that simultaneously creates and condemns such desires. The storyline follows Nathanial as he meticulously develops a unique photographic lens that allows him to capture the female form without clothing while masking it from the outside world. His escapades take a downward spiral when he becomes so accustomed to using his special glasses that he forgets to wear clothes himself while out in public. This leads to his arrest, trial, and subsequent sentencing for his actions, revealing the outrageous nature of his behavior and exposing the absurdities of societal norms regarding public decency and personal obsession. Through Nathanial’s journey, Magruder presents a critique of human nature, examining the limits of privacy and the often hypocritical moral standards of society.