The Humans by Matt Haig

The Humans is an in-depth exploration of what it means to be human-through the eyes of an alien sent to Earth on a mission that challenges everything he knows. This novel brings together humor, philosophy, and a deep understanding of human nature to let readers see, for the very first time, our world and ourselves from a unique perspective.

Summary

The Humans opens by describing an alien that is sent to Earth to prevent a professor, by the name of Andrew Martin, from making a mathematical discovery with the power to change the universe. In taking over Andrew’s body, he is exposed to all the bizarre, irrational behaviors of humans-emotions, relationships, and all messy details of life on Earth.

On his mission, the alien becomes fascinated with those very things for which he was sent to eradicate: love, pain, joy, and the complexity of human existence. It is humorous and poignantly sad as he learns appreciation for the beauty and absurdity of being human. Through his eyes, we see ourselves anew; we come to understand that those things most of us take for granted-family, connection, the simple pleasures in life-are very important.

My Experience with The Humans

Someone recommended this book to me once when I was feeling so pessimistic about the world and its contents. I seemed to be in a place where nothing made any sense, and there was little in life that I could appreciate. Then I read The Humans, and something changed. The story presented me with questions I hadn’t considered before, and new ways of looking at things. For me, it acted in the manner of reframing my view and gradually opening my eyes towards the beauty within the chaos that surrounds me.

It made me laugh and cry; it was seriously introspective over all the things I don’t think about, let alone know or understand. There was something reassuringly comforting in the view of humanity from someone, or something, who was divorced from our world. It reminded me that our frailties, our irrational fears, and our constant striving for something more are what make us human.

What did strike me, though, was the tenderness with which this alien, who started off with disdain for everything human, slowly turned to love the very things he found repulsive. It made me reflect on my own life-how one easily gets caught up in negativity, focuses one’s mind on what is wrong rather than on what is right. This book came as a reminder of little things, little pleasures in life that make it worth living.

I found it deeply poignant, this alien’s journey from cold observer to a creature that values human contact. It sounded like a voyage we have all taken or will take at one time or another when learning to love our imperfections and the mess that inevitably comes from having a life. There were points in the novel where I felt it cut a bit too close to the bone and that I needed to stop and reflect on what was going on in the narrative-the observations the alien had of humankind were too spot on for comfort, speaking about me, all of us.

Strengths and Weaknesses of The Humans

The Humans represents a great mix of humor and insight; it is a story both amusing and philosophical. Matt Haig’s writing is incredibly sharp and witty, succeeding in making the reader burst out laughing one moment and take up serious thinking the very next. The alien observations on human life are very often hilarious and still painfully well-observed, capturing contradictions and complexity in our lives.

But herein lies the Achilles’ heel of this book’s philosophical cogitation. Often, for the casual reader, this narrative may pass across as overly introspective, or even didactic. The alien is endless in his running commentary on human life, and with so much food for thought, sometimes it could be overwhelming if one were looking for something lighter to read.

Do I Recommend The Humans?

If you are one of those people who like indulging in some serious philosophical reflection about life, with a fair dose of humor and heart, then The Humans is the book you really should read. It’s not just a story; it’s a meditation on what it means to be alive, love, and find meaning in the everyday chaos of life.

The Humans is for the person willing to open a book that will have you laughing, thinking, and above all, feeling deeply. It’s a reminder that our flaws, fears, and failures are so incredibly put together in a beautiful way that makes us human.

Conclusion

The Humans is one unique, thought-provoking novel that epitomizes the challenge of seeing the world through different eyes. It is a book that will remain with you long past the reading of the last page and make you appreciate the little things in life that truly make it extraordinary. Whether you want to laugh or cry, or just reflect on some things, this book provides it all. But be prepared-it’ll make you look at yourself and the world around you through a completely new light.