“Everything in human life was a test. That was why they all looked so stressed out.”
An alien comes to earth on a deadly mission to embody Professor Andrew Martin who has recently solved a major mathematical problem. It’s too late for Andrew but apparently he wasn’t a very nice man anyway. Being new to the planet the alien gives us an outsider’s view of humans ways, as he learns to impersonate the Professor. He does blend in well enough to fool the wife and son but when he begins to fall for his new ‘family’ the alien must choose between completing his mission and finding a home here on Earth.
With trademark wit and humour, as well as the usual short snappy chapters, Haig does what he does best–brings the truth in a lighthearted fashion. This is a very ‘human’ book, purposefully full of people with flaws + failures + learning + love + loss + mistakes + magnificence + mystery.
Haig writes from a place of authenticity. In 2000 the author found himself in the grips of a panic disorder. He himself felt like an alien wondering how other people were able to get through a day while he was immobilised by irrational fear and depression. He couldn’t even go to the corner store alone.
But Haig got better (and became an author) through writing, because reading and writing helped. He discovered that this was what would bring him back to himself and perhaps even help others. He firmly believes in the power of fiction to save lives and minds and also went on to write an excellent memoir about depression/anxiety called Reasons To Stay Alive.
This book seems timely to me because it highlights some things the pandemic has taught us about:
- simple things like–hugs, family, friends, kindness, connection, nature
- complex things like–health care, politics, racism, earth-keeping, inequity
Matt Haig published a new novel last year called The Midnight Library which I am looking forward to reading soon.
Joanne's Reading Blog 