63 pages • 2 hours read
The Humans
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Summary and Study Guide
Overview
The Humans by English author Matt Haig is a novel that combines the genres of science fiction, psychological fiction, bildungsroman, and fictional diary. Published by Simon & Schuster in 2013, it is Haig’s fifth novel. The Humans is structured as a scientific analysis of life on Earth, but it is also about the personal experiences of an extraterrestrial who struggles to reconcile the paradox of human life. The plot is driven by the urgency of the alien’s mission. Within his story, Haig uses his first-person narrator to explore themes on what it means to be human, how to pursue happiness, and the power of embracing love.
Content Warning: The source material and this guide include discussions of suicide, including some graphic imagery.
Plot Summary
The Humans begins as a scientific report on the observations of one alien on planet Earth. The narrator acknowledges his home planet’s trepidation that human beings are dangerous and impulsive, but he encourages his reader to have an open mind as he tells his story. The narrator is sent to Earth to take on the form of the recently deceased Andrew Martin, a prolific professor of Unlock all 63 pages of this Study Guide Plus, gain access to 8,900+ more expert-written Study Guides. Including features:
Related Titles
By Matt Haig
