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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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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. 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 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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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!

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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 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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