The Humans

by Matt Haig

It's hardest to belong when you're closest to home . . .

One wet Friday evening, Professor Andrew Martin of Cambridge University solves the world's greatest mathematical riddle. Then he disappears.

When he is found walking naked along the motorway, Professor Martin seems different. Besides the lack of clothes, he now finds normal life pointless. His loving wife and teenage son seem repulsive to him. In fact, he hates everyone on the planet. Everyone, that is, except Newton. And he's a dog.

Can a bit of Debussy and Emily Dickinson keep him from murder? Can the species which invented cheap white wine and peanut butter sandwiches be all that bad? And what is the warm feeling he gets when he looks into his wife's eyes?

• ISBN10: 1476730598
• ISBN13: 9781476730592
• Publish Date: 12 August 2014 (first published 9 May 2013)
• Publish Status: Active
• Imprint: Simon & Schuster
• Format: Paperback (US Trade)
• Pages: 320
• Language: English

Reviews

[wcs53]

This is a great book about an alien who comes to earth to carry out a mission, but gets distracted when he discovers that humans are not all that he thought they were. At times it is funny, at others sad, with all the other emotions in between. Rather than give any more away, I recommend that you go and read it.

[bookperson]

Why I never added this book to my read shelf? It's one of my favorites!

[Jo]

Originally posted on Once Upon a Bookcase.

I've always wanted to read The Humans by Matt Haig; it always sounded intriguing. So when I noticed the eBook was only 99p, I nabbed it up quickly. And I'm so glad I did, it's such a wonderful novel.

Professor Andrew Martin is no longer Professor Andrew Martin. He was kidnapped and killed by aliens, and replaced by one of their own. Why? Because he discovered the answer to a mathmatical problem that had been plaguing the greatest mathmaticians for a terribly long time. And solving that problem will mean humans progress to a level that is dangerous to the rest of the universe, what with out greed and our violence. The new Andrew has one mission: delete all evidence of Andrew's work, and kill anyone who knows he found the answer - plus his wife and son, just to be safe. But as time passes, new Andrew find that these people he feared, these people whose ugly features revolted him, are capable of compassion, selflessness, art, and are far more complex than his kind ever understood. While he spends his time on Earth, new Andrew discovers what it means to be human.

This book was just brilliant. At first, it was just funny; the alien - who doesn't have a name, because his kind have no need for names - would get everything wrong, and also be so bewildered by us and how we live. I would be laughing out loud quite hysterically in the staff room at work, and have colleagues wanting to know what I was reading that was so funny. From this view point of an outsider looking in, it made some of the things we humans do without even thinking about it seem so bizarre, at times funny, but also thought-provoking. But as the story goes on, it gets a little more serious, as the alien changes by being exposed to art, experiences the kindness of humans, and comes to care for Andrew's wife, Isobel and his son, Gulliver. The whole story then becomes something different; it's still funny, but it feels more real. It goes from being a comedy to being so completely wonderful, and such a joy to read. There is a moment when the alien writes Gulliver a list full of advice, which is less specific to Gulliver, and more advice we could all follow. It was so moving and eye-opening and thought-provoking. It was actually really beautiful.

The Humans is a completely wonderful story, and I would highly, highly recommend it.

[lovelybookshelf]

While reading The Humans, I'm sure I'm not the only one who was reminded of the television series 3rd Rock from the Sun, and at one point, of the ST:TNG episode Encounter at Farpoint. There's a bit of The Doctor in our alien protagonist as well. But don't be fooled into thinking this novel is a knock-off: the execution is fabulously unique. Matt Haig takes us on a brilliant and imaginative journey through the human experience, the best and the worst.

With short, easy-to-devour chapters bearing titles such as Detached Nouns and Other Early Trials for the Language Learner and The Melancholy Beauty of the Setting Sun, I raced through this book. I could not wait to read more, but I didn't want to miss a thing.

And may I just say, I am completely jealous that the Vonnadorians can consume books in capsule form! Seriously?!

I can't rave about this book enough. It's thoughtful. Wise. Funny. Tender. Uplifting. Thrilling (there was an awesome unexpected twist!). I was hanging on every word, each moment for its own reason, all the way to the very end. The Humans swept me away; it is by far my new favorite read of 2013.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I did not receive any other compensation for this review.