REVIEW: Life Hacks for a Little Alien by Alice Franklin

From her first words to her first day at school, Little Alien can't help but get things wrong. She doesn't understand the world the way others seem to, and the world doesn't seem to understand her either. Her anxious mum and meticulous dad, while well-intentioned, are of little help.

But when Little Alien sees a documentary about the Voynich Manuscript - a mediaeval codex written in an unknown language and script - she begins to suspect that there are other people who feel just like her. Convinced that translating this manuscript will offer the answers she needs, she sets out on a journey that will show her a delicious taste of freedom.

'Climb up here, Little Alien. Sit next to me. I will tell you about life on this planet. I will tell you how it goes'

Review:

A uniquely joyous and insightful journey into the world through the eyes of a neurodivergent human being just trying to find their place. Capturing the alienation, isolation and confusion we can experience by just existing in a world not made for, or explained to, us through amazingly dreamlike scenarios that truly show the essence of how mundane, normal scenarios can feel so oddly strange to some people.

The book puts us at the centre of the story, addressing us as “you” - allowing us to step in and become the character, with a slightly wandering, meandering structure that I both loved and hated, with footnotes, trains of thoughts. Yes, it felt a little like my brain but seeing it on paper was a surreal experience.

We go to school, spend time with our parents, witness crises and conflicts, and observe the world from a distance, trying to understand why people act the way they do and why they all seem so far away, like they’re through a screen.

While a bit close to home at times, this story was so healing. The little girl sitting on the floor of the local library, losing herself in words and trying to solve the world’s mysteries.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Life Hacks for a Little Alien is available from February 13th with Quercus Books. I was gifted a reviewers copy of this title in return for a review.
This title contains subjects that may be distressing including injury, ableism, swearing and illness.

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