"Humans"-British Author Matt Haig-An Alien's Mindful View of Mankind

Matt Haig (b. Britain 1975) is a novelist who writes for both adults & children.  "Humans" is a sci-fi novel appealing for adults & Y/A alike.   An alien is sent to earth to prevent Prof Andrew Martin, a mathematics genius, from sharing his knowledge gained solving the most significant mathematical puzzle ever faced.  The consequences for this achievement pose dire consequences for the entire universe.  Humans' scientific advances will hasten an apocalyptic demise of the universe.  Hence, an alien is assigned the task of killing Martin and anyone he shared his discovery & destroying all traces of his research.  The alien assigned the task, does so reluctantly, but it's only a temporary mission.  To begin, the alien assumes the life form of Martin by erasing the brain matter that mattered in making Martin the man he was.  Now, Martin is a martian with superhuman abilities.  But he is a 43 year old newborn to earth; a stranger in a strange land.  The "new" Martin has to blend into his alien existence with his estranged wife Isobel, disengaged son, Gulliver  and the family dog, Newton.  Everything is a new experience for the E.T.  He's baffled by mankind's childlike harboring of hope for happiness & meaning in their lives.   This brilliant conceit of viewing humanities' foibles, follies and passions with an innocence & wonder is not original but Haig's writing is off beat, insightful, poetic and otherworldly.  His observations are hilariously insightful & heartfelt.  Humans are ruled by their desires which leads to suffering.  Where Martin originated there is no love, no hate - only the purity of reason.  Martin's epiphanies are miraculously eye opening.  "Love is about finding the right person to hurt you.  Two life forms in mutual reliance."  Martin's pitiful dissociation with earthlings becomes transformed by the infinite wonders that abound: books, music, art, poetry; especially Dickinson, canine company, wine, food; especially peanut butter and laughter.  "Humans" is so disarming & touching that presumptive platitudes transform into a black hole of celestial splendor.  Martin leaves his "son," Gulliver sage advice that elicited fluid from my ocular formations.  "Dog's are geniuses of loyalty.  And that is a good kind of genius."  "Don't worry about your abilities.  You have the ability to love.  That is enough." "You have the power to stop time.  You do it by kissing. Or listening to music."  "The things you don't need to live - books, art, cinema, wine and so on are the things you need to live."  "Peanut butter sandwiches go perfectly well with a glass of white wine.  Don't let anyone tell you otherwise."