The Humans
a novel
by Matt Haig · first published 2013
57% recommend43% neutral
When an extraterrestrial arrives on Earth, his first impressions of humans are less than positive. Taking the form of Professor Andrew Martin at Cambridge University, the visitor is eager to complete his task and hurry back to his own utopian planet. Disgusted by the way humans look, what they eat, their capacity for murder and war, he is equally baffled by the concepts of love and family. But as time goes on, he starts to reconsider.
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Currently reading: The Humans, by Matt Haig. Funny, insightful, perceptive. It's a really great book.
on “Ask HN: What is HN reading?” ↗…different take on a world you likely already know. - Kindred by Octavia Butler Such an interesting perspective on the psychology of what it takes to break a human being. In the worst way possible. - The Humans by Matt Haig Being outside of the human race, the language is so jarring and alien.
on “Ask HN: Great fiction books that have had a positive impact on your life?” ↗The Humans by Matt Haig was a very fun read, I think you'll enjoy it.
on “Ask HN: What are the best Sci-Fi books you've ever read?” ↗Anything Neal Stephenson. I've read them all. Multiple times. But some other stuff that people haven't yet mentioned that I enjoyed: - Matt Haig: The Humans, How to Stop Time - Richard Morgan: Altered Carbon trilogy - Ramez Naam: Nexus Trilogy - Hugh Howie: Silo series - Ann Leckie: Ancillary Justice - Ernest Cline: Ready Player 1
on “Ask HN: What are your favorite sci-fi books?” ↗Matt Haig's "The Humans" talks about humanity finding the answer to the Riemann Hypothesis being feared universally - it's simultaneously very important to the plot, and a convenient MacGuffin.
on “How I learned to love and fear the Riemann Hypothesis” ↗Good timing for me. I'm in the middle of listening to "The Humans" by Matt Haig. The story opens after someone proves the Riemann hypothesis.
on “A breakthrough towards the Riemann hypothesis” ↗our scifi book club recently had optimistic scifi as a theme. the nominations were: Matt Haig: The Humans Cory Doctorow: Down & Out in the Magic Kingdom *Suzanne Palmer: Finder* John C Wright: The Golden Age Ada Palmer: Too Like the Lightning *Nnedi Okorafor: Binti* Nicky Drayden:…
on “Browsing negative content online makes mental health struggles worse: Study” ↗