The Humans

A Novel

By: Matt Haig

Narrated by: Mark Meadows

Length: 8 hrs and 11 mins

Publisher's summary

The critically acclaimed author of The Radleys shares a clever, heartwarming, and darkly insightful novel about an alien who comes to Earth to save humans from themselves.

When an extraterrestrial visitor arrives on Earth, his first impressions of the human species are less than positive. Taking the form of Professor Andrew Martin, a leading mathematician at Cambridge University, the visitor wants to complete his task and go back home, to the planet he comes from, and a utopian society of immortality and infinite knowledge.

He is disgusted by the way humans look, what they eat, the wars they witness on the news, and totally baffled by such concepts of love and family. But as time goes on, he starts to realize there may be more to this weird species than he has been led to believe. He drinks wine, reads Emily Dickinson, listens to Talking Heads, and begins to bond with the family he lives with, in disguise. In picking up the pieces of the professor's shattered personal life, the narrator sees hope and redemption in the humans' imperfections and begins to question the very mission that brought him there. A mission that involves not only thwarting human progress... but murder.

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 very messiness of life on Earth. The Humans is a funny, compulsively readable tale that playfully and movingly explores the ultimate subject - ourselves.

©2013 Matt Haig (P)2013 Simon & Schuster Audio

Philosophical Classic

Emily Dickinson does Twilight Zone you will understand what it is to be human you will laugh your cry you will appreciate

very insightful....

i listened to this book as i spend another holiday home alone. i love the way the author weaves together so many human insights.

The fiction form of "Reasons To Stay Alive"

If you're prone to over-examination and melancholy, this book will distract you from your beleaguered brain as it's subtly illustrating the simple pleasures this world has to offer (even to folks like us!). Beautifully written and narrated, this novel carried me from beginning to end without losing me once. If you could do with a brief from respite from existential angst and cynical nihilism - without any syrupy cheer - this is the book for you.

What an Incredible story!

I absolutely loved everything about this story. Matt Haig really knows how to write gripping, heartfelt, and wonderful stories to experience.

Wow. All the way through

If you could sum up The Humans in three words, what would they be?

Witty, interesting, innovative.

Which scene was your favorite?

The scene where the protagonist, an alien who has taken human form, is first introduced to the world and doesn't understand clothes is pretty amusing, but the entire book is filled with interesting looks at our world through alien eyes.

Absolutely brilliant and beautiful

A great fictional story about what it is to a human being. Will consider owning it as a physical book.

A Tender Take on a Familiar Story Line

The compelling plot and likeable protagonist made it nearly effortless to suspend my disbelief, due primarily to Haig’s brilliant insights on the human condition from the unique perspective of a highly developed alien having his first human experiences. A very quotable novel that will stand the test of time in my humble opinion. Oh, and I would happily listen to Mark Meadows read the back of a cereal box.

Move over Heinlein

I did not expect this. What an amazing book, amazing story, anazing perspective. The narration irrated me in the beginning and made it in the end. Anyway, great book.

Wow! Couldn't put it down!

Another life-changing book from Matt Haig! This is the second of his that I have read, so I know it's not a fluke. Matt Haig is my new favorite author.

This plot-driven story gives an outsiders view of humans from someone who seems more human than any of us. He's just willing to admit, at least to the reader, when he is confused. Also, I feel inordinately more intelligent now than I did before, though this book flowed with the ease of a beach-read. Is it too soon to call it a classic?

As a side note, this book has some of the best life advice in it I've seen- it would make an excellent gift for graduation.

A curious & entertaining perspective on our world.

It gave me pause to reflect on humanity even more...I always enjoy works by Matt Haig and this piece, with its use of the academics of mathematics made our behaviors even more amusing.
No cows, pigs, chickens or fish on my plate...why would I want to support intentional cruelty and death on another sentient being?
We humans can use moral agency to choose compassion.