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4.01 AVERAGE
4.01 AVERAGE
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
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
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-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
3.5 this book made my heart happy and took me out of a reading funk.
Loved, loved, loved this book. I think I highlighted just about everything. Beautiful.
funny
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is an eccentric novel about an alien being sent to a primitive planet called Earth to stop the human race from further advancing their knowledge of the universe. Professor Andrew Martin has just solved the ages-old Riesmann formula, which is the key to unlocking major secrets that are beyond human understanding capability. An alien is sent to take over the professor's body and seek out which other humans he may have told regarding his discovery.
I wanted to like this novel more than I did. Having read Haig's other book, The Midnight Library, I understand the hopeful messages he tries to convey his work and his commentary regarding the human condition. I enjoy these kinds of novels because it reminds me of the good nature that humanity can achieve amidst all of the terrible things that have been going on. However, I can't say that Haig successfully achieved this message throughout the course of "The Humans".
This book was interesting. Seeing how the alien was able to adapt to human mannerisms, cultural norms, and take over the life of the professor was amusing. However, Haig's intention of showcasing the good in humans seems stunted due to the weight of the novel's primary plot: the alien is trying to eliminate all knowledge of the Riesmann formula being solved. Of course, in his short time on Earth, he discovers (not all) humans are the selfish, greedy monsters everyone believed they were. It's easy to predict what will happen from here, which includes some very sweet and sentimental moments. However, it just seemed that the core of this book went by at such a quick pace that I could hardly develop real feelings for the characters. I think that the best way to showcase humanity is within the perspective of a human. I did love the concept of seeing humanity from an much more advanced alien's POV, but it did feel more removed and definitely needed a better foundation.
Also, disappointed at where this novel ended.I thought the story deserved at least an epilogue? Like I kind of started caring a little bit more and have nothing to show for it.
TLDR: Overall, enjoyable read, but didn't make me feel the feelings I think the author intended to make me feel. Still very creative concept, and I can appreciate that.
I wanted to like this novel more than I did. Having read Haig's other book, The Midnight Library, I understand the hopeful messages he tries to convey his work and his commentary regarding the human condition. I enjoy these kinds of novels because it reminds me of the good nature that humanity can achieve amidst all of the terrible things that have been going on. However, I can't say that Haig successfully achieved this message throughout the course of "The Humans".
This book was interesting. Seeing how the alien was able to adapt to human mannerisms, cultural norms, and take over the life of the professor was amusing. However, Haig's intention of showcasing the good in humans seems stunted due to the weight of the novel's primary plot: the alien is trying to eliminate all knowledge of the Riesmann formula being solved. Of course, in his short time on Earth, he discovers (not all) humans are the selfish, greedy monsters everyone believed they were. It's easy to predict what will happen from here, which includes some very sweet and sentimental moments. However, it just seemed that the core of this book went by at such a quick pace that I could hardly develop real feelings for the characters. I think that the best way to showcase humanity is within the perspective of a human. I did love the concept of seeing humanity from an much more advanced alien's POV, but it did feel more removed and definitely needed a better foundation.
Also, disappointed at where this novel ended.
TLDR: Overall, enjoyable read, but didn't make me feel the feelings I think the author intended to make me feel. Still very creative concept, and I can appreciate that.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Infidelity, Self harm, Suicide attempt
Minor: Sexual content, Violence
3.8/5 stars, full review to come! I like the sentiments this book contains about humanity and the endless appreciation for Emily Dickinson, but can I really say I got anything more out of this “alien learns humankind is less bad than it appears” story than the masterpiece that is The Host? Not really. oh p.s. I think I’m super afraid of aliens
Plot: 4/5
Characters: 4/5
Pacing: 3/5
Writing: 4/5
Enjoyment: 4/5
Plot: 4/5
Characters: 4/5
Pacing: 3/5
Writing: 4/5
Enjoyment: 4/5
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Not my usual read, and I liked this much more than the cover! This was laugh-out-loud funny at times and then very deep. Glad I took a risk and read this one.
I had no idea what to expect when I opened the cover of this book. I just knew I would probably like it, not because I like math, which I don’t, but because I liked another book by this human, Matt Haig. What I wasn’t expecting was the laugh out loud moments of an alien trying to pass as human. There is just something intriguing and intrinsically humorous in the “foreigner trying to fit in” plot found in many books and movies. The Humans doesn’t let us down in that regard. Plus, I liked the ending and I especially liked the “Advice for a Human” list near the end of the story. I wanted to add to it. It’s always fun to view ourselves from another perspective, to see us through someone else’s eyes. Matt Haig’s book doesn’t disappoint, and in fact it delights the reader in so many ways. And you don’t even have to like math to appreciate it.