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.

10 people found this helpful

Without Good and Evil

I'm very glad I listened to this Hominids Book 1 without regard to the numerous member reviews that clearly were blinded by their own hidebound perspectives.

The beauty of this book is that it shows us two entirely different civilizations each of which is in many ways blind to its own flaws and yet each of which has its own strengths and humanity.

It's clearly not by accident that the Neanderthals call themselves human and that the Homo Sapiens call themselves human and that as a whole each civilization is short sighted.

The flaws of the Neanderthals really are both potential and present flaws of our society, too. And the flaws of the Homosapiens are parallel flaws of our own.

It's a book without good or evil. Each society is both compassionate and prejudiced, and each side is worthy of existing and interacting with the other.

Finally, the main characters are for good reason benevolent and often wise. Thus individuals redeem their societies.

Some reviewers are caught up on one side or another, on one character or another, on trivia that misses the whole point. Be willing to accept the evil to appreciate the good.

30 people found this helpful

Canada's answer to Clark and Asimov

This was the first book I ever listened to on Audible, and I still recall the magic of the experience, how I was longing to discover more even before it was over, and looking back on it all, I couldn't have picked a more perfect book to start than this. Mr. Sawyer does a wonderful job of combining cutting edge science, likeable and believable characters, and even crafts and alternate world that's totally alien, yet still relatable and easy to comprehend. I also loved the vivid descriptions of Canada (both from our world, and the alternate world of the Neanderthals), that almost made it feel like I was there with the characters, though I suppose Sawyer had an advantage as a native (and proud) Canadian. I loved how Sawyer introduces the book, and gives it the quality of being like an old friend when you've read all the books (like I have), and Jonathan Davis did a superb job narrating. For me, this was the start of a wonderful experience that still continues to this day, I only hope this book will do the same for my fellow listeners.

8 people found this helpful

Scicen Fiction Can Be Literature

I found the book fast paced, well narrated and well edited. Some complain of the politics and religion but this is literature. Since we can't discuss these things at "polite gatherings" literature is appropriate except for those who wish pure escapism (While concise, entertaining and compelling certainly this is not a 'light' read).

It won the Hugo award (Science Fiction Writer's "Oscar" as most likely know), and only rarely are such prizes awarded to art without any merit.

Much fuss is made by some about the graphic sexual assault which is brief but absolutely key to distinguishing two cultures and a woman's feelings about a more sensitive being.

My only critique, is I found the verisimilitude lacking in the other culture regarding their belief system. I would think any being that could contemplate its death might have different views. A line or two more explaining their reasons would have helped. That is my only critique.

Finally, remember this is fiction. If one finds FICTION so offensive why bother reading? I can understand political or religious NON-fiction being offensive but isn't the joy of fiction that it's just "make believe?"

The price is right considering its length.

36 people found this helpful

Ended too soon

I guess that's what sequels are for, but the only thing disappointing about this book is that it ends. This is a eminently believable and intimately humanistic work of science fiction. The beginning is a bit dense, because there is quite a bit to set up. But for all the technical detail and description, this is ultimately a story about personal connections.

I've had this in my library for years. I don't remember why I bought it, and I'm not sure why I have only read it now after eyeing it curiously every month or so. I only wish I would have read it sooner, because it probably would have given me plenty of time to read it again.

It isn't something that's often -- if ever -- said about science fiction, but this book is just lovely. And the only other book I can recall being similarly wonderful is Stephen King's 11/22/63.

5 people found this helpful

Reader beware, this is not sci-fi

Any additional comments?

I'm biased, as I've found that nearly every story is better when told from the first person perspective. Discovered Mr. Sawyer with 'Calculating God'. Terrific story, told through the eyes of Thomas Jericho who is an extremely relatable main character. Loved it.
Looking through the mostly positive reviews, decided to give Hominids a try. Not told in the first person, but that can still keep me listening if done well. Made it 8 hrs and 30 minutes, and finally decided I'd had enough.
As others have mentioned, the premise is strong. However there are 3 fatal flaws, with the 3rd finally causing me to hit the stop button:
1) This really isn't sci-fi. It's a thought experiment asking us to reflect on our own societal history and behaviors. Additionally, the author made a serious error by deciding in the preface to reference a couple of the best Asimov and Heinlein books which sets the expectation extremely high.
2) We don't really care about the characters. As others have mentioned, they don't feel 'real'. They feel like over animated caricatures of what real people would do given these situations and sequence of events.
3) It carries an extremely left-leaning heavy hand... which is fine if done well. Sadly this isn't. Too many situations and the outcomes of those situations just aren't believable, so we're left with apparently what the author believes the outcome should be, even if it doesn't fit logically.
I truly do enjoy exploring and challenging my long-held beliefs... political, spiritual and social. But it must be done with a deft hand (e.g. Heinlein and Asimov). With at least one strong, intelligent character we as readers can identify with. Without that, we as readers end up not really giving a %#&!

4 people found this helpful

Clash of evolutionary trajectories

Hominids is the the 1st book in Robert J Sawyer's Neanderthal Parallax series. The basic premise is of a parallel world, almost identical to Earth, but one in which Neanderthals have become the dominant intelligent species. The fortuitous conditions of both humans and Neanderthal conducting physics experiments in the same location result in a portal opening up and accidentally transporting a Neanderthal to our human world. As the scientist struggles to come to grips with his situation, his colleague in the Neanderthal world faces murder charges as he is now missing without a trace.

The sci-fi elements involve mainly aspects of quantum computers as well as alternate evolutionary tracks with intriguing divergent sociocultural developments with the latter consuming a major portion of the story. Due to physically stronger nature of Neanderthals, their society develops a unique perspective on crime and personal privacy. Sawyer also explores attitudes towards religion as well. The contrast in societies while stark are nevertheless enlightening and thought provoking.

The narration is exceptionally well done with a solid range of voices of both genders. Pacing and tone are appropriate to the story.

3 people found this helpful

Another Great Story by Sawyer

Two nuclear physicists have a breakthrough in the design of a quantum computer, only in doing so, they create an openning into a parallel world, only the physicists are neanderthals and one of them gets sucked into our world.

An incredible story is used to draw interesting and well educated comparisons between humans and what neanderthals could have been like. It's not great science fiction... Instead, it's great science... and great fiction.... and a little bit of a mystery.

3 people found this helpful

Awesome!

Seriously! Freaking awesome! I can totally understand why it won a Hugo award. I would have driveway moments just as I got home from work listening to the book in my parked car. It is a good sci-fi book because it focuses on the characters and their interaction to the technology. The sci-fi part itself is spectacular and raises a bunch of what-if questions. It is the kinda sci-fi where it seems like it could almost happen, that it is not so much of a stretch. Another great thing about it, is that the storyline is episodic, so you almost get several stories at once. My next Audible purchase is going to be the next book in this series. I might actually put this up there with Ender's Game, and Starship Troopers, as one of my favorite books.

27 people found this helpful

Brilliant book - going straight to the next one!

I'm glad I chose to ignore some of the less good reviews this book got because I really really enjoyed it. It's a great story that shines a (not always flattering) light on our own society as well as exploring an interesting fictional world as well.

I've gotten so involved in this novel that I've listened (unusually for me) at all sorts of times outside of my normal commute and that I'm going straight on to book 2 as soon as my next credit becomes active!

14 people found this helpful