On Earth as It Is on Television by Emily Jane

​I’m very particular about my science fiction. And this book checked every box on the list of things I’m looking for: engaging characters, quirky and interesting story, humorous undertones, etc. There’s just so much to like about what’s going on in this most impressive debut.
There’s been a gazillion of first contact stories, so it takes inventiveness and imagination to come up with something new and original.
But what has always interested me the most in fiction in general and science fiction in particular isn’t the aliens themselves so much as what their presence (and absence) can reveal about the earthlings.
At that this novel excels. Because at first, the aliens are merely spaceships the sky, there one day (setting of all kinds of apocalyptic vibes) and gone the next.
But then, there’s more to the story and it’s close to home than you might think.
Then novel follows several different people/several different families to see how this potential alien apocalypse affects them. It’s tricky talking about it, and I’d rather say less than risk giving away crucial plot points. Suffice it to say, there are some fun twists in there.
The entire book, despite its end-of-the-world vibes is very fun and funny, and who wouldn’t love (or want to read about) a charismatic alien.
They are surprisingly relatable. In fact, they have a peculiar passion for some of the worst things about the Earth: plastic, TV sitcoms, junk food. And on top of all that, they can also teach us a lesson or to about enjoying life.
On Earth as it is On Television, in space as it is here, the things that make us happy are not that different. I suppose that’s the moral of the story. Not that it overly concerns itself with being moralistic.
I already described it as fun and funny, so let’s go with awesome next. An awesome read. I enjoyed it very much. Recommended. Thanks Netgalley.