Hominids

Robert J. Sawyer's Hugo Award-winning novel, "Hominids," introduces readers to Ponter Boddit, a brilliant Neanderthal physicist from a parallel Earth where his species, not Homo sapiens, became the dominant intelligence. During a daring experiment in a deep Canadian mine, Ponter accidentally breaches the barrier between dimensions, finding himself abruptly in our universe, where a similar experiment is underway. Injured and bewildered, he is immediately recognized as a Neanderthal, then later as a scientist, becoming a subject of intense study and fascination. As he navigates this alien world, he forms an unexpected bond with geneticist Mary Vaughan, sharing a common quest for knowledge. Meanwhile, back in his home universe, Ponter's partner, Adikor Huld, faces a murder charge for the disappearance of Ponter, thrust into a complex trial without understanding what truly transpired. This compelling narrative explores profound philosophical questions, cultural clashes, and the boundless possibilities of cooperation and growth when two distinct species, bound by a shared humanity, finally meet.