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)

Inspiring mix of Quantum Science and fantasy

Would you listen to Hominids again? Why?

Yes, I would/will continue listening to the series. I never read the same book twice.

What did you like best about this story?

Believable story, built on a foundation of nuclear science, archaeology and fantasy, mixed with a hint of romance. Foundations of humanity and religion were clever.

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

Not yet.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Pretty much.

Style of jumping between settings without transitions caught me off guard at first

It took me several chapters before I was able to place the many characters, settings, and story line into context. Once there, it was great!

Genre Salad Examines Human Traits

I once listened to a compelling radio broadcast about a host who refused to accept his son's ADD diagnosis as a dysfunction, researched the subject, and learned that ADD is a set of traits that underpin the hunter-gatherer mindset. Once treated in that way, the son grew to be a successful attorney who learned to live with his particular set of personality traits and make the most of what they were intended to be.

In Hominids, Rob Sawyer takes an entire species of Homo Sapiens -- Neanderthals, the quintessential hunter-gatherer prototype -- and juxtaposes our society against what theirs might have looked like had they developed into the dominant species on Earth. Being as well researched in the world of science fact as Sawyer's novels always are, the comparison is fascinating.

As a genre novel, it is quite fascinating as well how Sawyer takes several sub-genres and seamlessly melds them into one coherent story -- there is the parallel universe trope, in which the Neanderthal universe lies alongside ours, creating an alternate history timeline where Neanderthals rule, with courtroom drama in one universe where murder is charged in a mysterious disappearance, and of course the straightforward science fiction umbrella under which all of this sits, an umbrella held up by a reliable base of science fact.

Hominids works on many levels, making for an interesting and illuminating meditation on the human condition -- some of it uncannily timely nearly twenty years after its publication when Sawyer discusses contagious diseases and how and why they cross over to human populations after starting out in animals (sound familiar?). Plus. the characters are relatable even when they're Neanderthal, the story is simple but effective, and the narration is well done.

I do have one bone to pick with Mr. Sawyer. He and I were both among the ten winners of a science fiction writing contest in the Village Voice in 1980, his winner being the first of many published works in a storied and award-winning career, mine being the only published work of fiction in a career that never existed. There was a line in my story about eyebrows evolving into eyeshades to help shield against sunlight -- a line that appears almost verbatim in this book. You're welcome, Rob!

4.5 Stars

I guess some of the things that happened needed to to allow a slightly more authentic flow of what was told, but it felt a little forced sometimes. Overall, I liked the story enough to read the next one. Trigger warning should be attached to the description though.

Great

It was a little slow at the beginning. Overall great story. It was hard to put down.

Don't gag on the politics and stereotypes

If you've read Sawyer before you'll be aware that he has a lot of political commenting (a.k.a. complaining) in his works... this is no exception. And, no, it's not done discreetly or in flow with the story, he sorta just sticks it in at some spot he deems convenient - sometimes it doesn't clash with the story flow, but mostly it does and you'll stop and think, "now what does the government funding policy have to do with this Neanderthal?".

The narrator is okay though he attempts to do accents which are not very good or very consistent. I.e. the Jamaican accent sometimes sounds French, sometimes is not present, and once in awhile might sound sorta Jamaican, but not really.

The concept behind the book is cool and there is some exploration of how it could be "possible" which makes the sci-fi part of the novel pretty decent... it's the character development (or lack thereof) that makes this story frustrating. Instead of developing characters, Sawyer relies on stereotypes to dictate and explain behaviors: females are victims (to menstrual cycle, to rapists) men get so distracted by beautiful women they can't focus on their work, etc.

The concept is worth 4 stars, the rest of it warrants a 3, or less if you tend to choke on political grumbling. I won't buy any more in this series.

Wonderful Story, Thank you Robert J. Sawyer!

What made the experience of listening to Hominids the most enjoyable?

This is a wonderful story, I was very emotionally drawn into the story. I felt real fear when Ponder, the Neaderathal, was shifted into our universe, in pure darkness, swimming in a cavern of water, (fighting for his life) which was then shrinking. I liked the Candian perspective, and I loved the discriptions of the Nearderthal world, which were insightful, and imaginative, The alibi alcoves and such, Beautiful! Its as good as Enders Game, or Pohl's Gateway! Loved the ending, very satisfying, I give it a 93 out of 100.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Ponder, though this is not as good as Heinlien's Stranger in a Strage land, this is a Great book, Good for you Robert J. Sawyer!

Which character – as performed by Jonathan Davis and Robert J. Sawyer – was your favorite?

All, except, he does have a weak Jamacian accent, though not that big a deal. He was very emotional, and exceptional in his reading! Wonderful!

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The part whare Ponder comes to our Universe in the Nitrino tank, and the ending I almost cried! This guy is a relly good writer!

Any additional comments?

I laughed at the product placement, though I am paraphrasing,

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.

Excellent!

I initially bought this book because it was on sale. I really didn't know what to expect and figured I might as well try it as it was a super low price. Boy was I glad I did!

It was truly an excellent story that was entertaining, extremely well narrated, and brought up some interesting philosophical questions about the nature of people and quantum physics.

I recommend it highly.

Perfect for Sci Fi Fans

This entire series is a must for sci fi fans. Smart, fast paced, integrated - I wish there were more.