Humans

The Neanderthal Parallax, Book 2

By: Robert J. Sawyer

Narrated by: Jonathan Davis, Robert J. Sawyer

Length: 11 hrs and 35 mins

Publisher's summary

In this Hugo-nominated novel, Neanderthal physicist Ponter Boddit brings Canadian geneticist Mary Vaughan back to his world to explore the near-utopian civilization of the Neanderthals. Boddit serves as a Candide figure, the naive visitor whose ignorance about our society makes him a perfect tool to analyze human tendencies toward violence, over-population, and environmental degradation. The Neanderthals have developed a highly artistic, ethical, and scientific culture without ever inventing farming - they're still hunters and gatherers - and this allows the author to make some interesting and generally unrecognized points about the downside of the discovery of agriculture.

BONUS AUDIO: Author Robert J. Sawyer explains why one particular chapter of Humans is his very favorite.

Hunt and gather: listen to more in the Neanderthal Parallax trilogy.

©2003 by Robert J. Sawyer (P)2008 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

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

Easy to enjoy, yet appealing to the mind!

This piece is what some would call a proud pleasure.
Unlike other very enjoyable books that leave you with the guilty feeling of having wasted your time while having fun with a nice read, Sawyer's work on the Neanderthal Parallax, book II is easy to enjoy, yet appealing to the mind. It has a very nice pace, driving the story through very interesting scientific facts that really make you think about the small things in the human nature that lead all the way up to the very structure of society.

I would recommend this book to the person who is drawn to the what ifs of human history, to the lover of anthropology/paleo-anthropology, to the science fiction fan looking for something different than spaceship related stories, and just about anyone who likes the "fiction-books-that-make-you-think-rather-than-just-playing-out-a-fantasy-world" genre.

Now, this is specially for the reader new to the audibook world: I had read book one of this trylogy years ago and even though I wanted to get the second part, I didnt have the time to actually sit down and read, so I never bought it. This is why I decided to try the audiobook: so I could know how the story ends and kill time on my daily commute at the same time. So far its one of the most life quality improving things I've done during the very scornful traffic hours of my life.

Try it, you wont regret it!!

Great continuation.

I know there have been quite a few somewhat negative reviews here. They think the story is too preachy about God, religion, guns, and perhaps law. Because this story involves two cultures discovering one another I think those are appropriate discussions. I enjoyed there discoveries. I would recommend you get this continuation- book 2. I will be downloading book 3 now. Enjoy!

Overall A Good Story

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

I've been fascinated by Neanderthals for years & read all I can about them. Interesting fantasy culture in this book.

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

Hak. It seemed to have more personality than the actual personalities sometimes.

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

The only extreme reaction at any time was anger. Anger that the author decided to use his book as a vehicle to brain-wash. The presentation that the reason for Neanderthal extinction is that our kind of humans killed them, for instance. Mary mentions that this is just one theory, but doesn't present the other theories & says that she believes this one. Also, the idea that the only reason for slavery was/is to further the gain of the owner(s) in recent American agricultural societies, while completely ignoring the fact that Native Americans practiced slavery, Europeans practiced slavery, Africans practiced slavery, slavery is still practiced in southern Asia & the Middle East, etc., really chaps my hide! Additionally, the author's apparent need to convince his readers that religion is a ridiculous notion, believed only by the feeble-minded or people completely lacking in logic, is outright offensive! Tell your story, Mr Sawyer - but leave your thought reform tactics out of it!

Another Great Instalment

Great book, LOVE the story, but I disagree that it can stand alone – I think the 3 books should be read together.

I'm currently reading book 3 and I’ll post my review there after finishing it.

Enjoyable

I wanted to finish reading this book and go on to the next book in the series. Once again, there was social commentary married with interesting characters.

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.

Ponter and Mary are not fun.

I developed a dislike for both Ponter and Mary. Both seem very set in their ways and beliefs.. Mary's homophobia and jealousy were unattractive and offputting to me. Ponter is self-righteous and preachy.. The Neanderthals have made a huge mistake by sharing world with homosapiens. I can't see this ending well for anyone. The series has thought provoking ideas but due to my dislike of both Ponter and Mary I probably will not read the third book. The sex scenes did nothing for me and I was tempted to fast forward.

Strays from where the first book started.

i love the idea of alternative time lines, but this was hard to finish for me.

Un-ending social commentary, not sci-fi

This first book in this series was very good. I love books about alternate timelines and this story about an alternate universe with Neanderthals as the dominant species was a great premise. However, the second and third books give up the science fiction and become social commentary books. In both the second and third installments are long dialogs about what I assume to be the author's pet peeves. Among the things the author seems to dislike are Americans, males, religions (especially Catholocism), conservative viewpoints, and personal ownership of vehicles and property, to name a few. His likes are women, Canadians, gays, lesbians, athiests, and environmentalists. SPOILER ALERT He also seems to come down heavily in favor of castrating rapists, which fits into his "woman are good, men are bad" mantra that he cyles over and over and over in his second and third installment. END SPOILER ALERT. Unfortunately, even if you agree with his viewpoints, his story is boring. There is not enough action, far too much commentary, and the main character, Mary, while competent in the first book, becomes shallow and vapid as the series progresses.

Don't waste your time

What disappointed you about Humans?

I've never written a review, good or bad, but this book is a stinker. The book is filled with heavy handed political tripe, when it could have been a great story.