Hominids

The Neanderthal Parallax, Book 1

By: Robert J. Sawyer

Narrated by: Jonathan Davis, Robert J. Sawyer

Length: 11 hrs and 26 mins

Publisher's Summary

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.

Critic Reviews

• Hugo Award Winner, Best Novel, 2003

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

Great idea, execution a bit flat

The first in a series; great concept and a fun vision of what a "modern" neanderthal culture might be like. Even so the plot speed, complexity, and execution are a bit slow and even at times predictable. A fun read overall and worth the time.

Without Good and Evil

I'm very glad I listened to this Hominids Book 1 without regard to the numerous member reviews that clearly were blinded by their own hidebound perspectives.

The beauty of this book is that it shows us two entirely different civilizations each of which is in many ways blind to its own flaws and yet each of which has its own strengths and humanity.

It's clearly not by accident that the Neanderthals call themselves human and that the Homo Sapiens call themselves human and that as a whole each civilization is short sighted.

The flaws of the Neanderthals really are both potential and present flaws of our society, too. And the flaws of the Homosapiens are parallel flaws of our own.

It's a book without good or evil. Each society is both compassionate and prejudiced, and each side is worthy of existing and interacting with the other.

Finally, the main characters are for good reason benevolent and often wise. Thus individuals redeem their societies.

Some reviewers are caught up on one side or another, on one character or another, on trivia that misses the whole point. Be willing to accept the evil to appreciate the good.

Canada's answer to Clark and Asimov

This was the first book I ever listened to on Audible, and I still recall the magic of the experience, how I was longing to discover more even before it was over, and looking back on it all, I couldn't have picked a more perfect book to start than this. Mr. Sawyer does a wonderful job of combining cutting edge science, likeable and believable characters, and even crafts and alternate world that's totally alien, yet still relatable and easy to comprehend. I also loved the vivid descriptions of Canada (both from our world, and the alternate world of the Neanderthals), that almost made it feel like I was there with the characters, though I suppose Sawyer had an advantage as a native (and proud) Canadian. I loved how Sawyer introduces the book, and gives it the quality of being like an old friend when you've read all the books (like I have), and Jonathan Davis did a superb job narrating. For me, this was the start of a wonderful experience that still continues to this day, I only hope this book will do the same for my fellow listeners.

Scicen Fiction Can Be Literature

I found the book fast paced, well narrated and well edited. Some complain of the politics and religion but this is literature. Since we can't discuss these things at "polite gatherings" literature is appropriate except for those who wish pure escapism (While concise, entertaining and compelling certainly this is not a 'light' read).

It won the Hugo award (Science Fiction Writer's "Oscar" as most likely know), and only rarely are such prizes awarded to art without any merit.

Much fuss is made by some about the graphic sexual assault which is brief but absolutely key to distinguishing two cultures and a woman's feelings about a more sensitive being.

My only critique, is I found the verisimilitude lacking in the other culture regarding their belief system. I would think any being that could contemplate its death might have different views. A line or two more explaining their reasons would have helped. That is my only critique.

Finally, remember this is fiction. If one finds FICTION so offensive why bother reading? I can understand political or religious NON-fiction being offensive but isn't the joy of fiction that it's just "make believe?"

The price is right considering its length.

Reader beware, this is not sci-fi

Any additional comments?

I'm biased, as I've found that nearly every story is better when told from the first person perspective. Discovered Mr. Sawyer with 'Calculating God'. Terrific story, told through the eyes of Thomas Jericho who is an extremely relatable main character. Loved it.
Looking through the mostly positive reviews, decided to give Hominids a try. Not told in the first person, but that can still keep me listening if done well. Made it 8 hrs and 30 minutes, and finally decided I'd had enough.
As others have mentioned, the premise is strong. However there are 3 fatal flaws, with the 3rd finally causing me to hit the stop button:
1) This really isn't sci-fi. It's a thought experiment asking us to reflect on our own societal history and behaviors. Additionally, the author made a serious error by deciding in the preface to reference a couple of the best Asimov and Heinlein books which sets the expectation extremely high.
2) We don't really care about the characters. As others have mentioned, they don't feel 'real'. They feel like over animated caricatures of what real people would do given these situations and sequence of events.
3) It carries an extremely left-leaning heavy hand... which is fine if done well. Sadly this isn't. Too many situations and the outcomes of those situations just aren't believable, so we're left with apparently what the author believes the outcome should be, even if it doesn't fit logically.
I truly do enjoy exploring and challenging my long-held beliefs... political, spiritual and social. But it must be done with a deft hand (e.g. Heinlein and Asimov). With at least one strong, intelligent character we as readers can identify with. Without that, we as readers end up not really giving a %#&!

Ended too soon

I guess that's what sequels are for, but the only thing disappointing about this book is that it ends. This is a eminently believable and intimately humanistic work of science fiction. The beginning is a bit dense, because there is quite a bit to set up. But for all the technical detail and description, this is ultimately a story about personal connections.

I've had this in my library for years. I don't remember why I bought it, and I'm not sure why I have only read it now after eyeing it curiously every month or so. I only wish I would have read it sooner, because it probably would have given me plenty of time to read it again.

It isn't something that's often -- if ever -- said about science fiction, but this book is just lovely. And the only other book I can recall being similarly wonderful is Stephen King's 11/22/63.

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.

Another Great Story by Sawyer

Two nuclear physicists have a breakthrough in the design of a quantum computer, only in doing so, they create an openning into a parallel world, only the physicists are neanderthals and one of them gets sucked into our world.

An incredible story is used to draw interesting and well educated comparisons between humans and what neanderthals could have been like. It's not great science fiction... Instead, it's great science... and great fiction.... and a little bit of a mystery.

Awesome!

Seriously! Freaking awesome! I can totally understand why it won a Hugo award. I would have driveway moments just as I got home from work listening to the book in my parked car. It is a good sci-fi book because it focuses on the characters and their interaction to the technology. The sci-fi part itself is spectacular and raises a bunch of what-if questions. It is the kinda sci-fi where it seems like it could almost happen, that it is not so much of a stretch. Another great thing about it, is that the storyline is episodic, so you almost get several stories at once. My next Audible purchase is going to be the next book in this series. I might actually put this up there with Ender's Game, and Starship Troopers, as one of my favorite books.

Brilliant book - going straight to the next one!

I'm glad I chose to ignore some of the less good reviews this book got because I really really enjoyed it. It's a great story that shines a (not always flattering) light on our own society as well as exploring an interesting fictional world as well.

I've gotten so involved in this novel that I've listened (unusually for me) at all sorts of times outside of my normal commute and that I'm going straight on to book 2 as soon as my next credit becomes active!

Really Good

I had no real preconceptions about this title, I'd never heard of the writer and only got it because I have an interest in Neanderthals - but I wasn't disappointed at all! I'm not really interested in science fiction in general, Star Trek and Star Wars leave me cold! But this is really a human interest story, looking at an outsiders view of our humanity, as well as exploring what our lives might be like if our ancestors had made different descisions - for example what would we be like without religion?

I thoroughly reccomend; it is gripping, thrilling and really gets you going and wanting more! I'd want to carry on listening even when I was not driving or down the gym!

The thing that got me was that there was loads of science in it, real detailed information that was accurate and relevant to the story and that thoroughly interested me.

The world Ponter comes from is explained in vivid detail and you want to go there and see it for yourself - however, when Ponter asks Mary, Louise and Reuben about our lack of conservation and how we've destroyed our habitat it really makes you question humanity's motives and mistakes. If you want to feel positve about your species this is probably not the best book - if you want a bit of science fiction and romance this is for you!

most enjoyable

This book was much more interesting than the title lead me to expect. How the neanderthals structured their society gave me much food for thought.

Fascinating

I like science - not people. I like ideas too - not fantasies. I especially alternative histories. And this story absolutely gripped me with the brilliant way it asks questions, using science and the excellently conceived alternative world of the Neanderthals. It also explores people and their issues - so you might like it too! Fascinating attack on religion with a few novel ideas to interweave makes this an entertaining yet thought-provoking listen.

A gem

A tender, moving and exciting tale, an uplifting story. Has the feel of an old fashioned sci fi classic

The characters stay with you

I stumbled across this book (and the whole trilogy) and I entered a world I was reluctant to leave. Robert Sawyers characters are both endearing and irritating...I found Mary particularly annoying and kind at the same time but that I think is the talent of the author the characters have their flaws that are not glossed over, that goes for the Neanderthal characters as well, they have their issues - but perhaps not what you would expect. Mr. Sawyer does not dwell on our fossil (and clearly lacking view of Neanderthals) he throws you into their world as it is parallel with ours. They are NOT explored as our less intelligent cousins come good (or aliens for that matter) - he retains their dignity and allows them to comment on our world in thought provoking ways. We get to comment on theirs as well.
Needless to say I have binged all three books now and remain a fan - you don't have to read all three - they all stand alone as a good read/listen...but I didn't want to leave the characters I had become fond of. The narration/production is good and doesn't detract from the story.
I found it an immersive experience - set aside any prejudice you may have about Sci-Fi - this is a very human story in every sense of the word

Good Idea, embarrassing execution.

Tries desperately to emulate worst habits of scifi, succeeds. 100% of value available in synopsis.

No time to write... got to download next book!

A complete joy to listen to; great sci-fi, entertaining story and feeding back every optimistic, some might say romantic, notions I’ve ever thought about the evolution of our human relatives. Thoroughly entertaining read and worth the effort to read. I listened to this in one sitting, during a lazy - but in hindight very worthwhile - day. Definitely going to buy the next two titles in the series!

Brave New World for the new millennium

I rushed through this book. A great plot, interspersed with an outsider's view of the Earth as we know it. Very enjoyable and highly recommended.