wren

“The Humans” is endearing and enjoyable, but also condescending and overly-simplistic. Several plot threads seem to just fizzle out without conclusion, and it's themes are messy at best. It doesn't trust the reader with even the simplest of ideas, insisting on over-explaining and repeating them over and over again, to the point where there are several scenes in which the characters are just shouting subtext at each other. This is definitely not the smartest book in the universe, but it really seems to believe it is.

The book tells the story of an alien coming to earth and finding our day to day life, relationships and possessions weird and irrational. And yet, they at no point question nor even note upon the neo-liberal status quo and the inequality it creates within our society. Matt Haig's insights into the meaning of life are simple but positive, and made me smile several times. However, when his surrogate protagonist and narrator spends pages upon pages talking about how weird everyday objects are, and yet accepts his position of privilege as a cis-het white man and the lack of power the lower-class have over their lives without question, it only comes across as jarring and pretentious. Would an alien living on earth not find the unequal power relations in our neo-liberal, late capitalist society weirder and more illogical than the basic hygiene we exercise every morning?

Despite all that, the book's simple message of appreciating life as it is was one I thoroughly enjoyed, and one really needed after the year it's been. “The humans” is charming and truly endearing at times, and the protagonist's loving demeanor towards sunsets, love, and peanut butter sandwiches are moving and a nice reminder of the beauty of the mundane. I wish the book didn't assume its readers stopped emotionally growing past the age of 16, but I appreciated it nonetheless. Thanks Matt:)