Humans

The Neanderthal Parallax, Book 2

By: Robert J. Sawyer

Narrated by: Jonathan Davis, Robert J. Sawyer

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)

Enjoyable and Engaging!

A fast-paced story with an interesting premise, the Neanderthal Parallax (set largely in Canada... Huzzah!) is an easy and engaging read. The narrator of the audio version brings the characters to life well, and the hours pass quickly. My choice to give it four stars is only in comparison to the first book in the series, but all three are definitely recommended.

Even more thought-provoking

The story kept me listening avidly, but I found some of it squirm-worthy. Not so much for the sex scenes as for the descriptions of female thought and emotional processes. There was, of course, the male assumption about the importance of genital size, but there was also an attribution of sexual jealousy only to female characters. (Interestingly enough, NOT including the one described as a bombshell.) I also detected a tendency to portray females (of both species) as being less rational than males.

On the whole, however, Rober J Sawyer has produced another excellent and thought-provoking novel. What is humanity? How could the ills of society be remedied?

Interspecies fooling around

Humans is the second book of Robert J Sawyer's Neatherthal Parallax series. On the Neanderthal side, there is debate and finally agreement to reopen the portal, while on this side, Mary Von joins a group preparing for interactions with the Neanderthals and discovers that they are a distinct species relative to humans. The Neanderthals send Ponter and a diplomat over. A bit of trouble ensues, but the diplomat manages to convince their high level scientists and artists to share with the humans. Meanwhile, Ponter and Mary develop romantically with Mary spending time on the other side and facing her preconceptions regarding Neanderthal social and sexual relationships. Ponter deals with her past rape in a most Neanderthal way.

The sci-fi elements from book 1 continue in book 2. The main focus is on social distinctions with the smaller Neanderthal population having evolved a more socialistic and egalitarian community. The differences in nasal capabilities results in Neanderthals finding humans far more smelly with a dirty, overcrowded world. Scientifically, there is a speciation distinction provided and some interesting commentary on evolutionary pressures on both humans and Neanderthals. The social conventions seem forever contradictory.

The narration is well done with good voice distinction of both genders. Pacing and tone are well aligned with the overall plot progression.

Meh... But I got to the end.

Not as good as the first book. . Lots of potatoes no meat. It's too bad. It had a lot of promise. There was really nothing there.

sci-fi? more like rom-fi

listening to description of penises is not my fave in sci-fi. The lack of action is also frustrating. specialy because the first bool was so good.