The Humans by Matt Haig

 

The title ‘The Humans’ made me ask the question what about us humans? intrigued I left the library with a copy.

The story begins with an unknown narrator speaking to readers as an introduction the book he has written explaining his time with us. The readers of the book have the belief that humans are a myth, he tells them we are not and that he has visited, spoken to lived among us. The narrator then goes on to give the readers a clear and deep insight into the human psyche, through the book he has written which in the style of a human novel.

We then see the narrator confused and naked in a service station reading Cosmopolitan, at the start of his journey. All he remembers is suddenly being on a road and in the way of the funny thing’s humans travel around in called cars. Then we see him running from people and desperate to get out of the terrifying rain, as he runs, drivers and passengers spit at him – which he understands as being a friendly greeting.

We learn that the narrator is workacholic Cambridge Mathematics Professor Andrew Martin. He has no deep memories of who he is and believes humans are only interested in violence and greed, yet he also feels our love for one another is our saving grace. We follow him as he learns what it is to be human and who he is, as well as him learning the answers to the many questions he has – such as Why are clothes so important? And What is the correct way to greet people?

Professor Martin is a man who many people I feel could relate to. Many of us at some point will have felt the sense of wondering who we are and what it is to be human, due to mental health issues – although this is not a book about mental health.

Professor Martin is I feel a loveable character who is trying to understand himself, his wife and son – who are encountering who he was before work took their place in his life – and his role in life and in theirs.

Yet we also come across a violent side to him, which could bring everything crashing down.

This is a book which is not afraid to explore human life in its mess and deprivation as well as love and kindness. It could have been shallow and dry, yet it is I feel a deep and sensitive insight into human life, relationships and our understanding of ourselves and our place in the world as an individual and as a member of several groups.

The book is filled with mathematics mainly prime numbers as well as an odd dip into physics and quantum mechanics. A lack of understanding of these areas, I felt did not detract me from the plot or from enjoying the book.

A delightful and insightful read.

 

Molly and the Cat Cafe by Melissa Daley

This is the first in a series of cosy reads about Molly, a tabby cat, who can read her owners and know exactly what they need. Molly is also able to read writing which even too an avid cat lover is a bit of a stretch to far.

Molly here is two years old and lived to begin with an elderly lady. Molly’s spoilt life is brought to an end as her owner gradually fades with dementia. At first, I had little love towards the lady’s son, as he struggles to cope, but as I read, I begin to see the tragedy which unfolds in the lives of those dementia touches. Although I cannot say I came to like the son, I did begin to emphasise with him.

Molly is re-homed with a friend of the son’s, who has three cat hating dogs. Fur flies and Molly leaves with no feral instinct to aid her on her way. We see her however meeting a cat who teaches her all she needs to know and who then waves her on her way, to a new town, where Molly hopes to find a new home.

After many – and sometimes eventful days – Molly finds herself in bin heaven behind the back of a café.Molly is patient and eventually wins the heart of the café owner – Debbie. 

Debbie along with her daughter is an outsider with a painful past and divorce.

The café has few customers but with Molly’s help it gains many more. Molly sits in the windowsill watching the world go by. Many of the customers who do begin to use the café do so because of Molly. Molly being in the window also gives the battle axe who once owned the cafe a reason to get the café shut. Debbie, her daughter, and friends begin the process of registering the café as a cat café with the council - a long process. There are surprises in store for all in involved.

Debbie’s daughter is at first acrimonious to Molly as well as her mother – she had not wanted to move – but with Molly’s help their relationship softens and old wounds heal.

Molly should be an inspiration to all cats around the world.

To some this could be called a ‘fluffy’ read with not much substance, to others it is a light-hearted read with a few ups and downs to keep you interested.

The characters are fun and full of life, even the son is rounded. The battle axe for some reason reminds me of Nora Batty from Last of the Summer Wine. I could see her pushing her shopping trolley along, while giving Wally an ear bashing.

Molly is gorgeous and a little minx with her wrangling to get the humans to do what is needed to save the day. Her potter through the café one day, shows the mishaps cats can get into.

The ending is lovely and shows how cats can bring people together.

If you’re not a cat lover then leave well alone, if you are then enjoy an uplifting cat in charge of life – as they are – story.

The Massacre of Mankind by Stephen Baxter

This is a sequel to HG Well’s War of the Worlds, but it can be read as a standalone, however as it refers to the original you may lose some of the flow, when reading like this.

It is fourteen years since the first invasion from Mars, which was won by Earths germs and bacteria that the Martians had no immunity too. The spaceships used by the Martians have sparked new technological advances in weaponry. It is due to these two factors that humans are confident that they would prevail over the Martians once more, if they choose to re-invade.

However, Walter Jenkins the narrator of War of the Worlds is not so confident. He has been physically and mentally scared from the first invasion and is now obsessed with a second invasion heading Earth’s way. He believes that the Martians would have watched, learned and adapted to what occurred during the first invasion. Walter is proved right and the second invasion is a success.

Human are nothing more than free range cattle, who the Martians harvest at regular intervals to feed on. The scene where young Martians are learning to feed on human blood is gruesome yet so cute. It shows a loving family scene, only not one which we would recognise or want to witness.

We see familiar characters from the original novel which makes this, along with the fabulous writing, I feel a true sequel.

In some ways knowing from the beginning that Walter and others survive is for me a ‘spolier’, yet it is also a comfort as we know old friends once again outwit the Martians. There is however no hint as to how the Earth fares in the end, whether it is human or Martian owned.

Throughout this book we skip from one continent to another, meeting new characters and seeing the invasion and the resistance is playing out, which does bring interest to the plot. But sometimes I felt this distracted from the main plot and added nothing to the story.

The characters are alive, and this includes the Martians, who strut around knowing they own the place – along with us. However, the determination of the resistance is palpable, even if not all the members are likeable.

Many sequels which are written by other authors are let down by their writing, which comes stilted as the author tries too hard to imitate the original author. Stephen Baxter, however, has done a wonderful job not only in his writing but in bringing the atmosphere of the War of the Worlds into his writing.

A well worth read.