What an enjoyable read: a truly satisfying novel from start to end, very strong on story, character and, in many places, steeped with poetry and interstellar wisdom.
The premise for this novel, though not original, is skilfully, even lovingly pursued: an alien comes to Earth, disguises himself as a native, and struggles to work his way through the human condition. Along the way he makes many wry and insightful observations.
Taking the form of Professor Andrew Martin, mathematician at Cambridge University, the story opens with a very disoriented, cold and naked professor walking alongside a English motorway. Not surprisingly he is struck by a car. Question Number One for our alien: why are humans so preoccupied with clothing?
This is only the first of many baffling experiences. Soon after he experiences television news and reflects: "The term 'news' on Earth generally means 'news that directly affects humans'. There is, quite literally, nothing about the antelope, or the sea-horse or the red-eared slider turtle or the other nine million species on the planet." He goes on to bewail the peculiar prioritizing of news items. "There is nothing on new mathematical observations or still undiscovered polygons, but quite a bit about politics which on this planet is essentially all about war and money."
The premise for this novel, though not original, is skilfully, even lovingly pursued: an alien comes to Earth, disguises himself as a native, and struggles to work his way through the human condition. Along the way he makes many wry and insightful observations.
Taking the form of Professor Andrew Martin, mathematician at Cambridge University, the story opens with a very disoriented, cold and naked professor walking alongside a English motorway. Not surprisingly he is struck by a car. Question Number One for our alien: why are humans so preoccupied with clothing?
This is only the first of many baffling experiences. Soon after he experiences television news and reflects: "The term 'news' on Earth generally means 'news that directly affects humans'. There is, quite literally, nothing about the antelope, or the sea-horse or the red-eared slider turtle or the other nine million species on the planet." He goes on to bewail the peculiar prioritizing of news items. "There is nothing on new mathematical observations or still undiscovered polygons, but quite a bit about politics which on this planet is essentially all about war and money."
author, Matt Haig
The alien known as Andrew Martin is on Earth on a very serious mission: to destroy the work of the real Professor Andrew Martin who recently succeeded in proving the Riemann Hypothesis, thereby showing there truly is a pattern to the distribution of prime numbers. This mathematical breakthrough would, in fact, revolutionize human technology in ways the species could not even imagine, including giving them access to instantaneous travel across the universe. Such power clearly would not be safe in the hands of such an immature and reckless species. The alien Andrew Martin makes short work of all electronic and hard copies of the proof. However, for his mission to be complete, he must also squash even the notion that such a proof is possible, meaning he will have to kill anyone who has even an inkling about the professor's work. Colleagues, family, even the professor's son must be added to the hit list.
Fortunately the alien known as Andrew Martin begins to find redeeming features in humanity and looks for excuses to delay the executions. Initially he is repulsed by the human condition which includes pain, imperfection and death but gradually comes to realize that only from such restraints can love and beauty grow.
Fortunately the alien known as Andrew Martin begins to find redeeming features in humanity and looks for excuses to delay the executions. Initially he is repulsed by the human condition which includes pain, imperfection and death but gradually comes to realize that only from such restraints can love and beauty grow.
Very near the end of the book, realizing he must leave his adopted family, he quickly types out on the computer some advice for his surrogate human son, Gulliver. It consists of ninety-seven points. Here are some favourites:
16. Tragedy is just comedy that hasn't come to fruition. One day we will laugh at this. We will laugh at everything.
33. You are not the most intelligent creature in the universe. You are not even the most intelligent creature on your planet. The tonal language in the song of the humpback whale displays more complexity than the entire works of Shakespeare. It is not a competion. Well, it is. But don't worry about it.
44. You have the power to stop time. You do it by kissing. Or listening to music. Music, by the way, is how you see things you can't otherwise see. It is the most advanced thing you have.
57. There are lots of idiots in your species. Lots and lots. You are not one of them. Hold your ground.
16. Tragedy is just comedy that hasn't come to fruition. One day we will laugh at this. We will laugh at everything.
33. You are not the most intelligent creature in the universe. You are not even the most intelligent creature on your planet. The tonal language in the song of the humpback whale displays more complexity than the entire works of Shakespeare. It is not a competion. Well, it is. But don't worry about it.
44. You have the power to stop time. You do it by kissing. Or listening to music. Music, by the way, is how you see things you can't otherwise see. It is the most advanced thing you have.
57. There are lots of idiots in your species. Lots and lots. You are not one of them. Hold your ground.
Why do I like this novel so much? In part because it reflects the kind of writing I am partial to. Short, succinct and titled chapters, a lovely quirkiness, underlying poetry everywhere, and a warm-heartedness throughout. It is the kind of book I would very much like to write. In fact, I am presently working on novel which uses the inverse premise, sending a human to cope in a distant alien world. It is good to have The Humans as a work to emulate. Thank you, Matt Haig.
Oh, and one last thing: one of the novel's principal characters is a dog, named Newton. For some of you, this will be will be the deciding factor in making you read this book.
9/10 highly recommended
Oh, and one last thing: one of the novel's principal characters is a dog, named Newton. For some of you, this will be will be the deciding factor in making you read this book.
9/10 highly recommended
