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The Humans: A Novel

The bestselling, award-winning author of The Midnight Library offers his funniest, most devastating dark comedy yet, a “silly, sad, suspenseful, and soulful” (Philadelphia Inquirer) novel that’s “full of heart” (Entertainment Weekly).

When an extra-terrestrial visitor arrives on Earth, his first impressions of the human species are less than positive. Taking the form of Professor Andrew Martin, a prominent mathematician at Cambridge University, the visitor is eager to complete the gruesome task assigned him and hurry home to his own utopian planet, where everyone is omniscient and immortal.

He is disgusted by the way humans look, what they eat, their capacity for murder and war, and is equally baffled by the concepts of love and family. But as time goes on, he starts to realize there may be more to this strange species than he had thought. Disguised as Martin, he drinks wine, reads poetry, develops an ear for rock music, and a taste for peanut butter. Slowly, unexpectedly, he forges bonds with Martin’s family. He begins to see hope and beauty in the humans’ imperfection, and begins to question the very mission that brought him there.

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

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Published Aug 12, 2014

304 pages

Average rating: 7.39

270 RATINGS

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Community Reviews

Oree
Jun 25, 2025
10/10 stars
I have love all of Matt Haig's books so far and this one also didn't disappoint.
JennyS
Jun 25, 2025
6/10 stars
3.5
AVirosome
Aug 11, 2024
7/10 stars
What starts out as a criticism to humans on earth becomes a story about love and how to survive this mundane life.
Anonymous
Apr 19, 2025
8/10 stars
3.75 stars.
SheaB
Jun 05, 2024
10/10 stars
I gave this only a 10 rating because 100 was not an option. This is one of the most beautiful books I have ever read. I will not spoil it for anyone, but chapter 76 is life-changing. I will find a way to work this into my curriculum, even if it is just pieces.

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