Hybrids

The Neanderthal Parallax, Book 3

By: Robert J. Sawyer

Narrated by: Jonathan Davis, Robert J. Sawyer

Scientists (and lovers) Mary Vaughan, who is human, and Ponter Boddit, who is Neanderthal, embark on the harrowing adventure of conceiving a child together. To overcome the genetic barbed wire of mismatched chromosomes, they must use banned technology obtainable only from a Neanderthal scientist living in the northern wilderness.

BONUS AUDIO: Author Robert J. Sawyer reveals the "secret history" of The Neanderthal Parallax trilogy.

Hunt and gather: listen to more in the Neanderthal Parallax trilogy.©2003 by Robert J. Sawyer (P)2008 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

"The genre's northern star - in fact, one of the hottest SF writers anywhere." ( Maclean's)

SF best

If you could sum up Hybrids in three words, what would they be?

Captivating. Intelligent. Satisfying.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Favorite character, Ponter Boddit. He is appealing, moral and intelligent.

Have you listened to any of Jonathan Davis and Robert J. Sawyer ’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have listened to Sawyer's books. His themes are why I enjoy Science Fiction. Davis brings them to life with his wide range of voices.

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

The Neanderthal Parallax is good for it's attention to character development. It's full of emotions.

Any additional comments?

Sawyer's future science is fascinating. Feeds the quest for knowledge.

Soft ending to an otherwise great trilogy.

Not quite as strong as the previous entries, it seemed Author Robert Sawyer both ran out of ideas midway through and rediscovered unresolved threads near the end. While it is worth listening to if you are already committed to the previous entries, this is certainly the weakest of the three. That being said, I will miss Ponter Boddit and his adventures in our world.

Couldn’t put it down

It is a really interesting and captivating trilogy. Some of it didn’t age well, for instance I’m not sure if we knew back in 2002 and 2003 that not only was it possible for Neanderthal and homo sapien to cross breed but that modern humans of European descent typically have between 1 and 4 percent Neanderthal DNA. So it absolutely did happen naturally. It wasn’t too difficult to suspend disbelief though for a great story. It was a little jarring to hear Bill Cosby praised as a good man who would definitely never assault someone though. You have to wonder about that. Even back in 2002 we all knew something shady was up with him. I kind of gave my echo some serious side eye during that passage.
All in all though, it was very entertaining and worth the credit.

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.

Fascinating

So, good, that I want a sequel! It would be great to continue the saga!

A weak end to a strong trilogy

Most of this book, for me, was spent waiting for the inevitable, guessable to happen. Which removed a lot of the joy. If you like your fiction to be predictable and easy to foresee maybe you’ll enjoy it more than me.

Sawyer is one of my faves!

the finale of Ponter and Mary's story is just right - not over done and not lacking. I appreciate the theory and morality perspectives involved in this and other books.

A great end

I loved this book, and it was a fitting end to the trilogy. I think this series would make an excellent miniseries or even stretched out to a couple of seasons as a TV show. This book really delves into consciousness and how it may have developed, and I found it completely intriguing, often stopping to make notes on things to look up later to research for myself. I would keep reading books that continued Ponter and Mary's story, as well as their offspring. A solid 4.5 star novel.

Great story and the boy-talk is forgivable

Again, I couldn't stop listening! It's a fine climax to the trilogy. I was pleased that Sawyer acknowledged the inevitable male fantasy of menage a trois when 2 Neanderthal men and a homo sapiens woman have to share living space. I was unsurprised, however, when he had the woman reject the idea.

I was also unsurprised (and rolled my eyes) when he gave in to the equally inevitable temptation of an interspecies lesbian love scene. I saw that coming as soon as the man-mate - woman- mate setup of the Neanderthal world was explained.

The twin big "scientific" plots in the third novel were not as gripping as in each of the others. Earth's magnetic fields affecting consciousness just didn't seem relevant or interesting. interspecies and intergender biological warfare was relevant and interesting, but Sawyer's denouement was contrived.

The series is definitely worth the listening time and credits for all three. However, I listened only after stumbling onto Calculating God and falling in love with it. The Neanderthal Parallax series isn't as terrific.

Some things I like..some i dont

Very good novel..however..i don't agree with all the anti God theam of the story. The relationships are engrossing.