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4.01 AVERAGE
4.01 AVERAGE
"Being human is being a young child on Christmas Day who receives an absolutely magnificent castle. And there is a perfect photograph of this castle on the box and you want more than anything to play with castle and the knights and the princesses because it looks like such a perfectly human world, but the only problem is that the castle isn't built. It's in tiny intricate pieces, and although there's a book of instructions you don't understand it. And nor can your parents or Aunt Sylvie. So you are just left, crying at the ideal castle on the box which no one would ever be able to build"
How is this book so underrated!?
I absolutely adored and loved every minute of it. A wonderful wonderful piece of work by Matt Haig. Matt Haig's simplistic style of writing and story telling has such a unique charm. This book is one of those that would make you want to laugh, and also make you want to cry.
It makes you laugh and giggle at the 'bizarre' things humans do, things that are completely normal and standard to us but just odd and funny when we actually think about it. From those bizarre things, to the serious flaws in human and the way they behave (or the way they treat their others or the way they hurt their love ones), this story reminds us the flaws and the irrationality are "twisted by product of love, serving no rational purpose. And yet, there was a force behind it as authentic as any other".
Matt Haig did a stellar job in presenting the idea that "the ability to love is what makes us special" in the most un-cliché way. Through the lenses of an alien, we saw its bafflement with the concept of 'love', to its urge to lie to make someone happy, to its care for another person, to its care for a dog, and to its guilt when hurting others.
"To experience beauty on Earth, you needed to experience pain and to know mortality. That is why so much that is beautiful on this planet has to do with time passing and the Earth turning. Which might also explain why to look at such natural beauty [of Earth] was to also feel sadness and a craving for a life unlived".
On Earth, "tragedy is just comedy that hasn't come to fruition. One day we will laugh at this. We will laugh at everything."
How is this book so underrated!?
I absolutely adored and loved every minute of it. A wonderful wonderful piece of work by Matt Haig. Matt Haig's simplistic style of writing and story telling has such a unique charm. This book is one of those that would make you want to laugh, and also make you want to cry.
It makes you laugh and giggle at the 'bizarre' things humans do, things that are completely normal and standard to us but just odd and funny when we actually think about it. From those bizarre things, to the serious flaws in human and the way they behave (or the way they treat their others or the way they hurt their love ones), this story reminds us the flaws and the irrationality are "twisted by product of love, serving no rational purpose. And yet, there was a force behind it as authentic as any other".
Matt Haig did a stellar job in presenting the idea that "the ability to love is what makes us special" in the most un-cliché way. Through the lenses of an alien, we saw its bafflement with the concept of 'love', to its urge to lie to make someone happy, to its care for another person, to its care for a dog, and to its guilt when hurting others.
"To experience beauty on Earth, you needed to experience pain and to know mortality. That is why so much that is beautiful on this planet has to do with time passing and the Earth turning. Which might also explain why to look at such natural beauty [of Earth] was to also feel sadness and a craving for a life unlived".
On Earth, "tragedy is just comedy that hasn't come to fruition. One day we will laugh at this. We will laugh at everything."
Quotes taken from the description of the book on Goodreads:
"Our hero, Professor Andrew Martin, is dead before the book even begins. As it turns out, though, he wasn’t a very nice man--as the alien imposter who now occupies his body discovers. Sent to Earth to destroy evidence that Andrew had solved a major mathematical problem, the alien soon finds himself learning more about the professor, his family, and “the humans” than he ever expected. When he begins to fall for his own wife and son--who have no idea he’s not the real Andrew--the alien must choose between completing his mission and returning home or finding a new home right here on Earth. "
That pretty much sums up the book, and it's so predictable, you can guess how it ends. It's very superficially touches on concepts of science fiction, mathematics, and basically tells you that everything can be explained by "magic". This is the second book by this author that I have read, and unfortunately I have to say I do not like his writing. Oh well, you can't please everyone all the time right. Hopefully you won't be too discourage by my review, and will like the book.
"Our hero, Professor Andrew Martin, is dead before the book even begins. As it turns out, though, he wasn’t a very nice man--as the alien imposter who now occupies his body discovers. Sent to Earth to destroy evidence that Andrew had solved a major mathematical problem, the alien soon finds himself learning more about the professor, his family, and “the humans” than he ever expected. When he begins to fall for his own wife and son--who have no idea he’s not the real Andrew--the alien must choose between completing his mission and returning home or finding a new home right here on Earth. "
That pretty much sums up the book, and it's so predictable, you can guess how it ends. It's very superficially touches on concepts of science fiction, mathematics, and basically tells you that everything can be explained by "magic". This is the second book by this author that I have read, and unfortunately I have to say I do not like his writing. Oh well, you can't please everyone all the time right. Hopefully you won't be too discourage by my review, and will like the book.
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I really enjoy this concept. An alien is sent to Earth on a mission - to kill and take over a mathematician's life to ensure that his advanced mathematical formula, which could advance all of human civilization, is never revealed.
The book is quite funny and very charming as you watch the alien sort of fumble around, misinterpreting human society and trying to learn how to keep a low cover. He also learns to love humans and humanity.
Haig is a comedic writer, but I wish that the book was a little longer. I felt like the alien's immersion into human society and fondness for humans was very sudden. Some of the writing is also a little too direct for my liking, especially in the "life lessons" parts of the book.
Still, an enjoyable and thoughtful read. I definitely related a lot to parts of the alien's confusion about societal convention and interaction. Most people are kind of "faking it until they make it" and so I think that this will resonate with a lot of people.
The book is quite funny and very charming as you watch the alien sort of fumble around, misinterpreting human society and trying to learn how to keep a low cover. He also learns to love humans and humanity.
Haig is a comedic writer, but I wish that the book was a little longer. I felt like the alien's immersion into human society and fondness for humans was very sudden. Some of the writing is also a little too direct for my liking, especially in the "life lessons" parts of the book.
Still, an enjoyable and thoughtful read. I definitely related a lot to parts of the alien's confusion about societal convention and interaction. Most people are kind of "faking it until they make it" and so I think that this will resonate with a lot of people.
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The review of this book would be the perfect place for me to announce that I am not actually from here, but I am not ready to admit that yet.
I love reading about humans from the point of view of an outsider, but it's hard to get that point of view. Spencer Quinn catches it in his Chet persona, and Matt Haig gets it so well in this book. My only complaint is that the narration moved along too quickly... I wanted more story.
The list of advice on how to be a good human was really excellent. I would like a poster with that list.
I wonder if Matt Haig's other books are also really good.
I love reading about humans from the point of view of an outsider, but it's hard to get that point of view. Spencer Quinn catches it in his Chet persona, and Matt Haig gets it so well in this book. My only complaint is that the narration moved along too quickly... I wanted more story.
The list of advice on how to be a good human was really excellent. I would like a poster with that list.
I wonder if Matt Haig's other books are also really good.
My short review: Like I have said about the previous Matt Haig books that I have read, everyone needs to read this book.
My longer review: This book is beautifully funny, heart-wrenchingly emotional, and such a smart book. The way the story is presented, the prose, and the simplicity of the emotional expression is so impactful. It breaks down the beauty of what it means to be: human. So do yourself a favor, and read this book (or any Matt Haig book), and take some time to appreciate the good, the bad, the beautiful, the ugly (or, as stated in the book, beauty not yet seen), and the wonder that is Earth.
My longer review: This book is beautifully funny, heart-wrenchingly emotional, and such a smart book. The way the story is presented, the prose, and the simplicity of the emotional expression is so impactful. It breaks down the beauty of what it means to be: human. So do yourself a favor, and read this book (or any Matt Haig book), and take some time to appreciate the good, the bad, the beautiful, the ugly (or, as stated in the book, beauty not yet seen), and the wonder that is Earth.
I loved this book. It was funky but really touching and funny and good. It had my favorite thing (super short chapters) and it was so easy to read. The narrator described humans through an aliens perspective and each novelty he noted was hilariously true and often things id never considered.
It made me want to be kinder and check on everyone I love and cherish every small moment and person in my life. And worry less about the big picture .
It made me want to be kinder and check on everyone I love and cherish every small moment and person in my life. And worry less about the big picture .
funny
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I am torn on this book lots of good, some humor, but some boring parts too. I would have wanted a more depth to the last few sentences of the book. I didn't know the song referenced so it didn't resonate.
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated