The Humans by Matt HaigA mathematician is about to solve the Riemann hypothesis (the idea that prime numbers have a pattern) and the rest of the universe is terrified. So frightening is the idea of humans solving this equation that an alien is sent to earth. Once here he kills the mathematician and takes his form, so he can find out who else may know about the equation and eliminate them as well. One problem. The alien, after some minor adjustment difficulties (like being arrested for walking around without clothing on, because Vonnadorians don’t worry about things like clothes) actually enjoys being human.
This is a funny, sentimental and
thought-provoking book. Not a
combination you seen done well very often.
It is amusing to see humankind through keen and blunt eyes. It is eye-opening to see ourselves as such awful
creatures, yet awful creatures capable of such kindness and depth of emotion. There is a list of 97 items the alien/human imparts
at a point towards the end of the book.
While some of the advice may be strange (like always remember to wear
pants) the advice is all wonderful, and wonderfully put.
