The Humans Audiobook By Matt Haig cover art

The Humans

A Novel

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The Humans

By: Matt Haig
Narrated by: Mark Meadows
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$8.99/mo. after 3 months. Cancel anytime. Offer ends July 5, 2026 at 11:59pm PT.

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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. Family Life Fiction Genre Fiction Humorous Literature & Fiction Satire Science Fiction Comedy Funny Heartfelt Witty Feel-Good Thought-Provoking Suspenseful
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Editor's Pick

Exploring a new world (ahem, genre)
"I’m not normally a sci-fi listener, but this story was the perfect way to dip my toes in without feeling overwhelmed. Focused a little more on the drama and emotion of the human experience, this story offers a fine balance between comedy, drama, and science fiction that makes it a little hard to classify. Poignant and touching, it offers a kinder take on humanity, highlighting empathy, compassion, and all the good and bad that make us human."
—Michael C., Audible Editor

Unique Perspective • Thought-provoking Insights • Perfect Voice • Likeable Characters • Heartfelt Storytelling

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So you've seen it before: alien comes to Earth with preconceived notions of our planet only to be won over. In fact, at the beginning, even Mr. Haig's cleverness seems to be unable to pull you into the plot ("Come on," you say to yourself, "I've seen this movie a million times!")...but, ultimately, the cleverness draws you in. His observations (from the alien's point of view) are simply too funny (sometimes laugh out loud funny) -- even when they're painfully spot on. The alien is quite likable and convincing in his, well, humanness. The Humans might be nothing more than a light beach read (I actually did listen to most of it at the beach), but I thoroughly enjoyed it. I am looking forward to Mr. Haig's next novel.

Mr. Meadows does an extremely good job capturing the alien's innocence and sense of wonder. A perfect choice for the narrator.

Adorable alien story

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It's very funny, touching, and thought provoking - everything I love in a good read. Narrator does a great job.

great read

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This is the second book I’ve listened to by Matt Haig and I am so in love. The complexities of human existence are simplified hilariously by this nameless alien being. Well done all around.

Touching Story Uniquely Told

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Very similar premise to the TV show but better because of the internal dialog.

Inspiration for Resident Alien?

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I loved the concept and enjoyed the humorous look at what we humans have constructed as reality. Many truths were imbued in the alien's observations. Though the concept is cute, this book is also full of depth.

Great insight with moments of humor

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