If you think you don't like science fiction as a genre, I challenge you to read The Humans, by Matt Haig is! Yes, its main protagonist is an alien, but what this book is really about what it is like to be a human. Professor Andrew Martin has just solved a mathematical problem that has the potential to change everything for humanity ... but an alien race fear what the consequences will be for themselves and the galaxy if such a primitive species gets hold of this knowledge, so they send one of their own to eliminate the perceived threat. The "alien" takes the place of the Professor in bodily form, and, in his pursuit to track down and destroy anyone who has any knowledge of the solution, he starts to learn what it is to be human ... and where better to start than forming a relationship with the Martin family dog, named, appropriately enough, Newton. Torn between his mission and his first experience of "feelings", the would-be assassin turns protector of his "wife" and "son", who much prefer the changed Professor. This is such a funny, yet poignant book. The main character is wildly entertaining and it is a true fish-out-of-water story, with some great set pieces and witty dialogue. I cannot recommend this book highly enough if you want to learn about humanity and have some giggles along the way.
My STAR rating: FIVE.
Length: 302 print pages.
Price I paid: free, borrowed from my my husband.
Formats available: print; unabridged audio download; audio CD; ebook.
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