Hominids

The Neanderthal Parallax, Book 1

De: Robert J. Sawyer

Narrado por: Jonathan Davis, Robert J. Sawyer

Neanderthals have developed a radically different civilization on a parallel Earth. A Neanderthal physicist, Ponter Boddit, accidentally passes from his universe into a Canadian underground research facility. Fortunately, a team of human scientists, including expert paleo-anthropologist Mary Vaughan, promptly identifies and warmly receives Ponter. Solving the language problem and much else is a mini-computer, called a Companion, implanted in the brain of every Neanderthal. A computerized guardian spirit, however, doesn't eliminate cross-cultural confusion; permanent male-female sexuality, rape, and overpopulation are all alien to Ponter. Nor can it help his housemate and fellow scientist back in his world, Adikor Huld, when the authorities charge Adikor with his murder.

BONUS AUDIO: Author Robert J. Sawyer explains why Ponter Boddit is his favorite among all the characters he's created.

Hunt and gather: listen to more in the Neanderthal Parallax trilogy.©2002 by Robert J. Sawyer (P)2008 Audible, Inc.

Reseñas de la Crítica

• Hugo Award Winner, Best Novel, 2003

"Sawyer is a writer of boundless confidence and bold scientific extrapolation." (The New York Times)

Very thoughtful

While this is a very interesting book, listeners/readers should be warned that it isn't fast paced, and the story unfolds slowly - this is not a criticism, but if you are impatient, you may not enjoy this. However, if you are willing to commit, it should be pretty enjoyable.

Ear Candy

I can see why this book won the Hugo Award. After reading it, I bought the next two in the triology.

The writer's depiction of the Neanderthal culture was most interesting. The book was well read.

Looking forward to more

This was my third read of a Sawyer novel, and I am expecting to use my credits over the next months to finish the rest of his books.

Sawyer is not quite OSC, but the feeling I had when I first discovered Ender's Game and realized that OSC had 40-50 books available on Audible is similiar to how I am feeling about the discovery of Sawyer.

Fascinating

This is one of the most interesting audiobooks I've read this year. The basic premise of Neanderthals and humans splitting off into parallel universes is novel and developed nicely. The depiction of Neanderthal culture was absolutely fascinating.

One couldn't help but love Ponter Boddit and hope that he found his way home. Adikor Huld is similarly sympathetic. Even Ponter's dog is lovingly presented.

The female characters of the book however, were not as well drawn. Adikor's accuser Balbe is thoroughly detestable, and rather two-dimensional. The adjudicator is stereotyped. So is the French scientist -- the sexy French woman. Her intellect somewhat saves her, however.

I have mixed feelings about Mary Vaughan. On the one hand, she is a sympathetic character, a woman of intellect and belief. Her reaction to the trauma of rape rang true. The scene in the doctor's library rang true. But that she almost completely overcomes it in less than a week did not ring true, especially not for this character.

This lack of skill in drawing the female characters influenced my rating of 4 stars; had they been as well drawn as the male, I would have given this book 5 stars.

Still, the premise and execution are good enough to keep one spellbound. The narration is also good, although as other reviewers have noted, the narrator needs to work on accents.

Overall, this is a thoroughly engaging read and I highly recommend the book. I was going to buy the second book right away, but after reading the reviews, I think I'll wait for a sale.

Clash of evolutionary trajectories

Hominids is the the 1st book in Robert J Sawyer's Neanderthal Parallax series. The basic premise is of a parallel world, almost identical to Earth, but one in which Neanderthals have become the dominant intelligent species. The fortuitous conditions of both humans and Neanderthal conducting physics experiments in the same location result in a portal opening up and accidentally transporting a Neanderthal to our human world. As the scientist struggles to come to grips with his situation, his colleague in the Neanderthal world faces murder charges as he is now missing without a trace.

The sci-fi elements involve mainly aspects of quantum computers as well as alternate evolutionary tracks with intriguing divergent sociocultural developments with the latter consuming a major portion of the story. Due to physically stronger nature of Neanderthals, their society develops a unique perspective on crime and personal privacy. Sawyer also explores attitudes towards religion as well. The contrast in societies while stark are nevertheless enlightening and thought provoking.

The narration is exceptionally well done with a solid range of voices of both genders. Pacing and tone are appropriate to the story.