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.

Hominids Love it

I couldent put this book down this is the first book buy this auther that i have listend to but it wont be my last IT,S A GREAT BOOK

Fascinating topic, but weak characters

I have a mixed opinion of this book. On the one hand, I found the basic premise really cool and the tie-ins to the anthropology of Neanderthals fascinating. On the other hand, I found the characters and their story lines too simplistic and linear. I would have guessed this was Young Adult fiction if it hadn't started with a rape. Personally, I found the rape part to be mostly a convenience for the story. It would have worked better if the rape had been a flashback to later explain Mary's behavior. Also, I could not quite figure out if the Neanderthal society was supposed to be better or not. Again, it seemed overly simplistic. It was very cool that it was so different, but I don't think those differences were taken far enough. Definitely worth a read, but I won't be pursuing the sequels.

Paradise found?

The writing style reminds me of Edgar Rice Burroughs.
The story is a fantastic journey into a Socialistic Utopian Paradise by U.S. hating Canadian Liberal Educators.
This is a must read trilogy to understand the dementia of the left.

I Really Liked the Clever Premise.

Such an interesting idea! Two parallel universes, one in which Neanderthals became extinct and Humans became the dominant species on Earth (our reality), and then the opposite - a universe in which Humans became extinct and Neanderthals became the dominant intelligent species.

Who cares how one person crossed into the other Universe; it was just fun to read about his adventures on "The Other Side". I was fascinated by the Neanderthal's Society: their advanced technologies, relationships, culture, laws, philosophies, and ways of life etc - so interesting! I bet the author had fun making it all up too.

My only real complaint is with Mary, and the events that happened to her in the beginning of the book. I don't want to give too much away, but I think it was unnecessary to make her live through what she did in order to establish that she was emotionally cautious and reluctant to start a new relationship. I think a bad break-up in her past might have achieved the same end. As it is, I thought it was exaggerated and really kind of dumb.

I am definitely in for the sequels!

great trilogy

Interesting and plausible premise of Neanderthals emerging over homo sapiens in a parallel world. Interesting speculations about their culture and values (as a civilization with technology), and the interactions between their world and ours after a portal is created.

A skilled author produces a gem.

What did you love best about Hominids?

The characters were well drawn. The story line was very satisfying. There were no dead spots.

What did you like best about this story?

The story back on Neanderthal earth was quite dramatic.

Which scene was your favorite?

Then Ponder crashed the trial.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Be ware your assumptions.

Any additional comments?

There is no evidence that Neanderthals had pet dogs.

Unique & fascinating

A very unique take on the evolution of choice & parallel worlds. I can wait to read the next volume Humans.

Can't wait to hear the next one!

The performance was overall really good, just some niggling little things I wish he'd have corrected - Sudbury is pronounced "SudBIRry" not "SUD-berry" and others. His French Canadian accent for a main character, Louise, was more of a Parisian French accent which I couldn't really blame him for except that he did so well with a host of other accents!

I'm a Robert Sawyer fan and this one is among his best I've read. I love a SCI-do book that's smart enough to speculate about what other civilizations would look like with one small change. This one doesn't disappoint! I'm impressed at how well he wrote the Neanderthal characters - they were very real, just as much as the human characters. And speaking as a Canadian scientist, Sawyer always captures the bureaucracies so well!

Great book

What did you love best about Hominids?

I like 'realistic' scifi and once you accept the basic premise this was well thought our and very interesting.

What other book might you compare Hominids to and why?

Stirlings Islands in the Sea of Time series

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

Yes