Hominids cover art

Hominids

The Neanderthal Parallax, Book 1

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Hominids

By: Robert J. Sawyer
Narrated by: Jonathan Davis, Robert J. Sawyer
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About this listen

 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. Fantasy Fiction Hard Science Fiction Historical Fiction Science Fiction Parallel Universe

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Critic reviews

  • Hugo Award Winner, Best Novel, 2003

"Sawyer is a writer of boundless confidence and bold scientific extrapolation." (The New York Times)
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Its an interesting premis. But its very slow. The characters are weird. And the bits on the Neanderthal world are explaind so poorly, with jibberish words, that its hard to know whats going on at times.
I only made it half way through.

Messy

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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.

Fascinating

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

A gem

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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

The characters stay with you

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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.

most enjoyable

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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!

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

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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!

Really Good

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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.

Brave New World for the new millennium

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The beginning was good but I was really disappointed by the knowledge of the multiverse! The science is wrong and he couldn’t have avoided all the religious stuff!

A disappointment

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

Good Idea, embarrassing execution.

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