Book title: Life Hacks for a Little Alien
ISBN: 1529435714
Author: Alice Franklin
Publisher: Riverrun
Publication year: 2025
Price: RM63.60
ALICE Franklin’s Life Hacks for a Little Alien is the kind of book that compels you to keep reading because of how the story is told.
It begins as the tale of a being eager to understand the world and ends with a heartfelt discovery.
As someone drawn to books that explore the depths and meaning of human connection, I find myself captivated by Little Alien’s journey, not just as an observer, but as someone who deeply feels her longing, wonder, and quiet heartbreak.
At its core, this novel is a dedication to those who always see themselves as strangers in any setting. Those who feel like outsiders no matter where they go.
Tell me, do you ever question your existence or simply wonder why you’re here in the first place?
Little Alien isn’t just loved for her quirkiness. She is a reflection of everyone who has ever struggled with social interaction. It’s in the way she tries to decode the unspoken rules of human connection.
One quote that sticks with me is when the narrator tells Little Alien, “You won’t be normal. Aliens can’t be normal. You’ll be normal enough though. And by this, I mean you’ll have just enough normal to seem normal without actually being normal.”
This is why her fascination with the Voynich Manuscript isn’t just a plot device. It is an exquisitely layered metaphor waiting to be unraveled.
Franklin captures this beautifully in her writing, making Life Hacks for a Little Alien not just a story to be read, but a profound meditation on language, belonging, and self-acceptance.
Her writing is refreshingly original. The decision to have a narrator who speaks directly to Little Alien in an all-knowing voice is a bold choice. One that, in the hands of a lesser writer, might have felt distant or impersonal.
Instead, it becomes a source of warmth, like a gentle guide whispering through the pages, offering both wisdom and solace.
Life Hacks for a Little Alien is not afraid to explore the uncomfortable reality of feeling lost, of seeking answers that may never fully come.
This novel also challenges the idea of what it means to belong.
Is belonging about being understood, or is it about finding peace in one’s own solitude?
Little Alien’s journey suggests that perhaps it is both.
As she struggles to navigate an unfamiliar world, she learns that while human relationships can be confusing, they can also be unexpectedly beautiful.
The novel reminds us that even in moments of doubt, we are never truly alone in our search for meaning.
The footnotes in every chapter are also worth mentioning. They aren’t just typical footnotes. They serve as tiny windows into Little Alien’s mind, where logic and emotion intertwine in unexpected and breathtaking ways.
Emotionally, this book hits hard. Little Alien’s relationship with Bobby, the one person who truly sees her, is tender and beautifully written, capturing the kind of connection that feels rare and precious.
It reminds me of the people who accept us as we are, turning a blind eye to our imperfections.
It reminds me of the friendships that define us. The ones where words are sometimes unnecessary because understanding is already there.
If I had any complaint, it would be the pacing. At times, the story lingers in places where the plot could move forward.
But what matters more is the emotional closeness we feel with the protagonist. For me, that is the heart of the experience.
With a 4.2-star rating on Amazon UK, Life Hacks for a Little Alien has clearly resonated with many.
It isn’t just a book to be read, it’s a book to be felt. It’s for the dreamers, the thinkers, and those who believe they don’t quite fit in.
Most importantly, it is both intellectually dazzling and deeply, deeply human.
