Hybrids

The Neanderthal Parallax, Book 3

By: Robert J. Sawyer

Narrated by: Jonathan Davis, Robert J. Sawyer

Scientists (and lovers) Mary Vaughan, who is human, and Ponter Boddit, who is Neanderthal, embark on the harrowing adventure of conceiving a child together. To overcome the genetic barbed wire of mismatched chromosomes, they must use banned technology obtainable only from a Neanderthal scientist living in the northern wilderness.

BONUS AUDIO: Author Robert J. Sawyer reveals the "secret history" of The Neanderthal Parallax trilogy.

Hunt and gather: listen to more in the Neanderthal Parallax trilogy.©2003 by Robert J. Sawyer (P)2008 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

"The genre's northern star - in fact, one of the hottest SF writers anywhere." ( Maclean's)

Entertaining AND Educational!

I've always been interested in Evolution and have enjoyed fiction focusing on Neanderthals and our relationship with them way back when. I really debated whether or not to take a chance on these books (I'm half way thru the 2nd book, Humans, as I type) and I'm so glad I did. I love the actual science and feel like I'm learning so much. I love the characters too. Ponter and Mary are carrying the story so well. This idea of what could have happened or might still happen has me "thinking" so much about religion and politics and life in general. I love it when a book makes me think like this. Can't wait to finish Humans and then start on Hybrid. This author, Mr. Sawyer, must be one fascinating MIND.
Bottom line is... Go for it! Take a chance. Not many will regret the opportunity to think outside the box. It's really a treat to be so entertained while learning so much.

Fascinating

So, good, that I want a sequel! It would be great to continue the saga!

A weak end to a strong trilogy

Most of this book, for me, was spent waiting for the inevitable, guessable to happen. Which removed a lot of the joy. If you like your fiction to be predictable and easy to foresee maybe you’ll enjoy it more than me.

Sawyer is one of my faves!

the finale of Ponter and Mary's story is just right - not over done and not lacking. I appreciate the theory and morality perspectives involved in this and other books.

Couldn’t put it down

It is a really interesting and captivating trilogy. Some of it didn’t age well, for instance I’m not sure if we knew back in 2002 and 2003 that not only was it possible for Neanderthal and homo sapien to cross breed but that modern humans of European descent typically have between 1 and 4 percent Neanderthal DNA. So it absolutely did happen naturally. It wasn’t too difficult to suspend disbelief though for a great story. It was a little jarring to hear Bill Cosby praised as a good man who would definitely never assault someone though. You have to wonder about that. Even back in 2002 we all knew something shady was up with him. I kind of gave my echo some serious side eye during that passage.
All in all though, it was very entertaining and worth the credit.

Soft ending to an otherwise great trilogy.

Not quite as strong as the previous entries, it seemed Author Robert Sawyer both ran out of ideas midway through and rediscovered unresolved threads near the end. While it is worth listening to if you are already committed to the previous entries, this is certainly the weakest of the three. That being said, I will miss Ponter Boddit and his adventures in our world.

SF best

If you could sum up Hybrids in three words, what would they be?

Captivating. Intelligent. Satisfying.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Favorite character, Ponter Boddit. He is appealing, moral and intelligent.

Have you listened to any of Jonathan Davis and Robert J. Sawyer ’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have listened to Sawyer's books. His themes are why I enjoy Science Fiction. Davis brings them to life with his wide range of voices.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

The Neanderthal Parallax is good for it's attention to character development. It's full of emotions.

Any additional comments?

Sawyer's future science is fascinating. Feeds the quest for knowledge.

a decent ending to the series

this book is a good conclusion to the series. everything tied up with a neat little bow. although still entertaining I found this story to be very predictable. nothing that happened was a surprise but there are some interesting ideas put forth. worth listening to.

Men are bad, mmkay?

weakest of all three books. a real disappointment after such a promising start. but after hearing again and again that your gender is the base of all evil gets really grating.
this was a slog of a story and the totally-saw-THAT-coming twist villain of the white American guy was eyeroll inducing.
a real shame.

NO HYBRIDS IN THIS BOOK

Why was hybrid in the title when entire story takes place before they were born or even conceived. it is not until epilogue that it is stated the hybrid was made & lead female is carrying it. Also, mabye I'm being picky, but the women only get the man 4 days a month in his world & when he & his male lover come to her world, she can't get him for a couple of days, seems pretty petty & stingy of the male lover to say those are my days, get used to it, WTH, he gets 4 times the days she gets & he can't when in Rome do like the Romans do for just a couple of days & the male lead puts up with it & backs him. Something is rotten in Denmark in my opinion. Also at his bonding ceremony he makes a point of saying their baby is a hybrid, that didn't seem necessary & seemed it would only make it stand out as abnormal even more, bad move & seems to indicate prejudice on his part. Just saying. 1st 2 books were ok tho 1st went a little slow to start. Then this last one, kept wondering where the hybrid was the entire time. Some plot devices to simplistic & made man out to be too horrific vs these perfect Neanderthals that castrate entire family lines for the sins of one man. something doesn't add up here. Still I'd be curious to see what happens in book 4, maybe they could call it, "this is really the Hybrid Story"