The Humans - Matt Haig

The Humans

By Matt Haig

  • Release Date: 2013-07-02
  • Genre: Fiction & Literature
Score: 4.5
4.5
From 573 Ratings

Description

The bestselling, award-winning author of The Midnight Library offers his funniest, most devastating dark comedy yet, a “silly, sad, suspenseful, and soulful” (Philadelphia Inquirer) novel that’s “full of heart” (Entertainment Weekly).

When an extra-terrestrial visitor arrives on Earth, his first impressions of the human species are less than positive. Taking the form of Professor Andrew Martin, a prominent mathematician at Cambridge University, the visitor is eager to complete the gruesome task assigned him and hurry home to his own utopian planet, where everyone is omniscient and immortal.

He is disgusted by the way humans look, what they eat, their capacity for murder and war, and is equally baffled by the concepts of love and family. But as time goes on, he starts to realize there may be more to this strange species than he had thought. Disguised as Martin, he drinks wine, reads poetry, develops an ear for rock music, and a taste for peanut butter. Slowly, unexpectedly, he forges bonds with Martin’s family. He begins to see hope and beauty in the humans’ imperfection, and begins to question the very mission that brought him there.

Praised by The New York Times as a “novelist of great seriousness and talent,” author Matt Haig delivers an unlikely story about human nature and the joy found in the messiness of life on Earth. The Humans is a funny, compulsively readable tale that playfully and movingly explores the ultimate subject—ourselves.

Reviews

  • Breathtaking

    5
    By SNicM
    It an emotional roller coaster and gets you thinking.
  • I’m so happy I read this.

    5
    By where do you get instructions
    Amazing. How does he do this enchantment? Thankfully he does!
  • Disappointing

    1
    By Savannah720
    The Midnight Library is one of the best books I’ve read in years, so I had high hopes for The Humans. Unfortunately I can’t say that it was anywhere near as good. A painfully slow read with many inconsistencies and plot holes, cheesy love tropes and tired life advice that sounds like it came from a fortune cookie. The ending was totally anticlimactic but at that point I was just glad to have finished the book. Sorry I don’t mean to sound harsh, but if you’re looking to read this book because you are a fan of the Midnight Library, it won’t compare. I will still read some of his others, hoping this one was just a fluke.
  • Matt Haig does it again!

    5
    By jillhardy2
    Such an excellent writer; I’ve loved every book he’s written from The Midnight Library to A Boy Called Christmas. An amazing storyteller that makes me smile, laugh and cry. My hope is that all his books become movies. The fact he comes from the town my son in law is from just makes his stories more enjoyable since he talks about the different areas in England he’s lived. Love his books! Jill Hardy
  • Simply amazing

    1
    By KO11
    Not just a great read, though it is, this book has an amazing ability to describe and think about our experience as people. Funny and at times poignant. Never dull. A wonderful book!
  • So Good

    5
    By STEMteacher2020
    Fun to read. Insightful and satisfying. You’ll enjoy it.
  • KeeperI

    5
    By DFitLife
    I think I’ll be reading this again, and again, and...again.
  • 👍🏼

    4
    By Igivein2sin
    I cried. Twice.
  • The Humans

    5
    By HoganCash
    Wow.....I can’t remember when I have enjoyed a book more! I find myself (often) telling others about this understated jewel. This guy, Matt Haig is really, really good. HoganCash
  • One of my new favorites

    5
    By Anninhagonzalez
    Amazing