Neanderthal

by John Darnton

Not since Jurassic Park has a novel so enthralled readers everywhere. Now, enter the world of Neanderthal ... The expedition of the century...uncovers the find of the millennium... Neanderthal . In the remote mountains of central Asia, an eminent Harvard archeologist discovers something extraordinary. He sends a cryptic message to two colleagues. But then, he disappears. Matt Mattison and Susan Arnot-- once lovers, now academic rivals-- are going where few humans have ever walked, looking for a relic band of creatures that have existed for over 40,000 years, that possess powers man can only imagine, and that are about to change the face of civilization forever.

Genres: Fiction, Science Fiction, Thriller, Adventure, Horror, Fantasy, Historical Fiction

395 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published April 7, 1996

About the author

John Darnton has worked for The New York Times for forty years as a reporter, editor, and foreign correspondent. He is the recipient of two George Polk Awards and a Pulitzer Prize. He is also the author of five novels, including The Darwin Conspiracy and the best seller Neanderthal. He lives in New York.

Reviews

[Jamie · Rating 1 out of 5]

I've only recently started consistently reviewing the books that I read, so I'm going back and writing up my thoughts on a few of my previous reads that I still feel strongly about. And, well, I still feel strongly that this is one of the worst books in existence. Sorry, Mr. Darnton. Maybe it's me and not you, but considering the overall rating of this book on Goodreads, I don't think so.

I read this book for my Around the World Challenge (even though I mostly tried to read only native authors) as it was literally the only book I could get my hands on that was set in Tajikistan. 260 books set in 260 different countries and territories, and this one was by far the worst. That's kind of an accomplishment, I suppose.

But where do I even begin?! Thankfully, some of the finer details of this read have escaped my memory over the last year, but I'll never forget the huge, gaping, obvious plot holes. Or the cardboard characters. Or the terrible dialogue. Or the ridiculous ending. Or the mysteriously non-extinct cave bears. Or the weird Neanderthal orgy. Or the author's unspeakably horrific abuse of Bruce Springsteen.

Darnton has won the Pulitzer Prize. So, I mean, he's obviously capable of more than this, so ... why? Why is this book so unbelievably bad? I've found several online reviews comparing this book to the works of Michael Crichton, and I'm pretty sure that the only reason Crichton hasn't sued these websites for libel is because he's dead.*

Anyway, 0.5 stars rounded up because Goodreads won't let me round down.

*Yes, I realize that Crichton was very much alive when this book was published in the mid-90s and for some years after, but I do love a bit of hyperbole.

[Orin · Rating 1 out of 5]

Plot holes, flat characters, cliched twists, poor research, logical flaws, and a horrifyingly unsatisfactory ending that uses Bruce Springsteen to terrorize primitive man. What's not to like?

This is the kind of book that lovers of prehistoric fiction, or lovers of techno-thriller (read: Crichton and imitators) should love. Being both, I must report painfully otherwise. Why? Just plain sloppiness. Understand that I don't have a problem with dumb: give me a simple plot and a juicy payoff and I can be happy. However, if the author insists on poking me in the eye by writing inconsistent descriptions, destroying objects then bringing them back pages later unexplained, switching between different points of view unannounced, forgetting his own character's motivations, developing threads only to discard them needlessly, and refusing to use an editor for more than spellcheck, well, I WILL THROW YOUR BOOK IN THE GARBAGE.

I am beset by a few lingering questions: how do you watch an avalanche from the mouth of a cave under it? Are non-extinct cave bears just a bonus any time you discover stone age people? Why is there so much firewood above the treeline? Do you know the difference between paleontologist and archeologist? Did you read the books and articles in your bibliography? Have you ever been camping? Have you ever met a scientist, a Russian, or a military officer? Have you ever met a woman who likes the phrase "pubic mound?" Do you hate your readers? Do you hate Bruce Springsteen? Have I proved my point yet?

[Hunter Shea · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great start with a terrible ending. I thought it was the perfect summer read until it wasn't.

[Phil · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thrillers tend to not age well, but this was pretty bad right from the get go. Published in 1996, Neanderthal had an interesting premise, but the cardboard, stereotyped characters, lackluster plot and cheesy ending did not make for a very good read; I am surprised I finished it and almost DNF several times.

The story centers on two MCs-- both paleontologists, who specialize in neanderthals in their 30s, who were also classmates and lovers at Harvard during their graduate studies. Their mentor, a flamboyant stereotype of a professor, got them interested in the field and is something of a legend. Anyhow, the book starts off with both of them being called to Washington, D.C., on behalf of their old professor, even though neither of them had been in contact with him for years. It seems a rather shadowy government agency sponsored their old mentor on a trip deep into the mountains in one of the 'Stans' of the former USSR. Once the pair arrive at a rather dubious institute (obviously a front) they are shown a neanderthal skull in perfect condition-- in fact, it is only 25 years old! Could some isolated pocket of neanderthals still survive in the remote mountains? It certainly seems so! Alas, their professor seems to have disappeared and the two former lovers are sent, along with a 'guide', to the last place their professor was camped...

The story is not really worth a blow-by-blow discussion of the plot; I will simply say that yes, the neanderthals exist and are split into two groups-- one group is mean and savage and the others are peaceful vegetarians living in an almost edenlike valley. The reason why the US government is interested concerns the neanderthal's ability to 'RV'-- remote vision-- that is they can use some sort of ESP to see through someone's eyes, see exactly what they are seeing, even at great distances apart. Oooh, what a great spy tool! So we have our shadowy government agency trying to get a line on the neanderthals, capture them maybe, to use as spys.

What was ridiculous in this was the two lead's perception of the neanderthals. Now, if you have made these hominids the focus of your research and study for over a decade, you think you might be enthralled to actually meet them. There is that, but they both consistently refer to them as 'beasts', 'creatures', 'monsters', etc. I mean, WTF? Then there is the juxtaposition of the two neanderthal groups-- the gentle, 'good' ones versus the evil nasty ones. Obviously, this is some clumsy parable of human nature torn between good and evil.

So, we hang with baited breath while the following questions are answered: will the two old lovers rekindle their relationship?; what will be the fate of the neanderthals? Will the good ones triumph over the evil ones? Will the shady government agency get what it wants? Oh, so exciting!

Unless you have nothing else to do, I would give this book a pass. 1.5 stars, rounding up to 2 as I finished it.

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

Many of you know that I am an avid history buff with an affinity for the prehistoric so when I accidentally stumbled upon a link to this book I was so excited to read it I put it on hold at the library right away.

I thought the story was unique and pretty damn near perfect. It's about Matt, Susan and their mentor Kellicut who discover two lost tribes of neanderthals living in a remote part of Asia.

What I really liked about the book was all the adventure that was packed into the 368 pages. While I was reading other peoples reviews about the book on Goodreads one of the things I noticed was that people were saying it was far fetched. IT'S FICTION PEOPLE. If people can right books where there are bat like alien species and not get told that it's unrealistic how can you judge this piece of FICTION and say it is unrealistic? Is it because it upsets your delicate sensibilities? Should the fictional writing of a lost prehistoric tribe really incite such anger and disbelief when people unquestioningly read books where vampires, werewolves and a whole other assortment of creatures run rampant? I believe that that's something worth mulling over. I for one LOVED that this book was published because I have a genuine interest in the prehistoric era.

I thought the writing in this was pretty good. Yes there were a few places where it seemed to jump around sporadically but that is not uncommon in a book. It happens whether we like it or hate it it will happen. There were also some places where I found the author repeating phrases a little too much but that too is nothing to fret over. However, I do wish that there was a wee bit more to the back stories of Matt and Susan and their relationship but I get the fact that it is not a romance novel but the romantic in me still wishes there was still something more.

I found the whole premise to be intriguing. I mean telepathic neanderthals living in a remote part of Asia...what more could I ask for?! This book mixed history and science fiction together in such a way that it left me wishing that this were a true story. I can't tell you how many times I've dreamt of making such a discovery. Silly I know but sometimes the dreams we had as children are still the best dreams of all. This book let one of my dreams come to life and let me feel like I was in the story with Matt and Susan fighting to survive and rescue each other when captured by the opposing tribe of neanderthals who just happen to like to eat the brains of their enemies. Yum!

All in all it was in my opinion a near perfect book for me and I recommend it to everyone!

[Olethros · Rating 3 out of 5]

-Si Crichton triunfó con dinosaurios y antes con vikingos, qué podría hacer yo para seguir la estela….-

Género. Narrativa Fantástica.

Lo que nos cuenta. Cuando el doctor Jerome Kellicut desaparece durante una expedición paleontológica en Tadzhikistán, en una región donde las desapariciones no son algo extraño, el doctor Mattison y la doctora Arnot, ambos discípulos de Kellicut, ahora rivales académicos pero una vez amantes, son contratados por los responsables de la expedición original, junto a otros investigadores, para encontrar el rastro de Kellicut y continuar su trabajo si fuera necesario.

¿Quiere saber más de este libro, sin spoilers? Visite:

http://librosdeolethros.blogspot.com....

[Austin George · Rating 3 out of 5]

This novel is about neanderthals, set in the remote mountains of Tajikistan. Not much is written about Tajik people, their life or their culture, which was something I was looking forward to. The informative parts of the novel about Neanderthals, both fact and fiction, were interesting. The interaction between humans and Neanderthals in the book was something I was looking forward to and when it came to that part of the story it didn't really live upto my expectations. The book cover compares this book to Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton but the book didn't really do justice to it. The story wasn't that solid and could have been better. Overall I found the book intriguing in parts.

[~☆~Autumn · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is a horrible book but I hear they are going to make it into a movie!! Unreal! It will have to be better as a movie especially if they change it as the book was super bad! I won't go to see it.

It deserves minus one star!

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Darnton uses his first novel to open up a long disputed issue; the decline of the Neanderthal. While I read the book, I became convinced that Darnton is an archeologist, wanting to implant his own ideas to the reader in a fiction-based setting. I was shocked to see that his CV includes a great deal of media experience, but nothing scholastic related to the subject. Darnton not only takes the reader to the centre of the debate, but also posits numerous theories and backs them up in such a way that it keeps the reader interested. He also keeps the story as realistic as possible and away from anything too sci-fi and out there. Where he does venture into realism/sci fi territory, he does so in an attempt to teach or have the reader learn and posit their own conclusions.

In a short period of time, Darnton examines the decline of the Neanderthals and what may have cuased their demise. He also layers on a story about science wanting to study and examine them, as well as a somewhat cheesy romance to keep the story rolling. While some of it was, perhaps, unneeded, the story does flow well and keeps the reader interested, at least enough to want to know what is going to happen. With numerous teaching moments and a great deal of history intertwined into the story, Darnton keeps the info flowing and tackles some of the larger issues.

Kudos Mr. Darnton. I look forward to your other works, which seem just as scientifically based.

[Rob · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this back at the end of high school. I was drawn to it by the skull on the cover, and because Discover magazine, which I was obsessed with at the time, had run article after article on human evolution.

The book is based on the premise that Neanderthals still exist, and an enclave is discovered. Moreover, the reason that humans defeated them is that they are peace-loving animals, and they are peace loving because they have telepathic powers that basically create a sense of empathy that makes it hard for them to be violent.

There's also a love story in there in which the main character and his ex-wife get back together, and a weird sex scene in which, while Neanderthals are pairing off to make the Whoopie, they can't help themselves and do the same.

Weird book. Not very good. At the point in my life that I read it I steadfastly refused not to finish any book I started, so I did finish it, but it's safe to say that I'll never read it again.

[C.D. Leavitt · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is quite possibly one of the worst books I've ever read. It was so bad that just looking at the cover now made me laugh as I remembered how truly dreadful it was.

Fantastic elements like a hidden, lost world in Asia where psychic Neanderthals continue to live in isolation are one thing. The atrocious writing, utter disregard of even the most cursory of research on what sort of technology Neanderthals had, and the pulpy obsession with sex made it seem like a book from another time. The fact that it came out in the mid '90s rather than a few decades earlier astounds me.

As other reviewers have mentioned, this was full of plot holes and the characters have about as much depth as the paper they're written on. The Neanderthals are written more like shrieking, hopping ape-men than close relatives to humans and they come in only two flavors: murderous monkeys or hippies.

[Bill Riggs · Rating 3 out of 5]

An expedition to a remote mountain range in Central Asia uncovers the find of the century. What would it be like if a small band of hominids survived in isolation for over 40,000 years? Matt and Susan, former lovers now academic rivals are about to experience a world where few humans have ever walked.
Interesting storyline and well paced, unfortunately the first half is a riveting thriller while the author becomes bogged down in the second half - unsure if he wants to write a horror, psychological examination, anthropological or philosophical paper. It does a pull together in the end but as a whole it doesn’t feel very cohesive. Overall it is a page turner and makes a decent summer read.

[Patrick Gibson · Rating 1 out of 5]

Neanderthals are out there? Still alive? Hell, I could have told you that! I’ve worked with a few. They are all in middle management! And I think someone actually made a TV movie out of this book. It must have been as bad. The idea is good and the book starts out like any typical anthropological thriller. The characters are made from discarded plastic and once past the mumble-science the story has no where to go except to start killing off either the subjects or protagonists (not a bad idea for either). Some of the worst dialogue ever. I was so in the mood for another “Jurassic Park.” Instead I got “Utopia.” I made it to the end because I wanted to get my flea market $1’s worth.

[Stephanie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked the idea behind the story; the actual story, not so much. The boik kept bogging itself down. I finally decided that if I want to read about Neanderthals I'll go back to Clan of the Cave Bear.

[Jeff Swystun · Rating 2 out of 5]

This should have been called, Meanderthal.

This book came out in 1996. That is 6 years after Michael Crichton's Jurassic Park and 16 years after another of his novels, Congo. They are both sources of concept and execution for this novel. In fact, the opening reads just like start of the Jurassic Park movie where scientists are recruited from an archeology dig. I am surprised there was no lawsuit!

It may have been fresh 25 years ago, but this book was tough to finish. Not only because of it being done much better by others but also because Darnton overwhelms with science. It comes across like he is trying to justify the novel rather than make it a spectacular, fun romp. It takes itself way too seriously. Crichton had to tow this line as well, and often did not get it right.

Darnton was an employee of The New York Times when he wrote and published Neanderthal. I found that paper's review of the novel and feel for the reviewer who was carefully and painfully polite, but most clearly unimpressed.

[Stina · Rating 1 out of 5]

Book #31 for 2013

Want to read something that makes Deception Point look like great literature? This is it. It's like the author vaguely remembered something from the Anthropology 101 he took 20-some-odd years ago, thought it might make a neat premise for a story, and then, without doing any further research, whipped out this peurile tale of horny archaeologists and modern-day cavemen. Seriously, I've seen better plotting, character development, and attention to detail in Geico commercials.

[Walter · Rating 1 out of 5]

I gave the story 1 star, that's being generous, and I'm a fan of the genre. Worst story I've read in a long time.

[Adam Schindler · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very Michael Crichton-esque. Although the vomit of exposition toward the very end left a bad taste in my mouth. Pun intended. Average. But... I did read to the end, so there's that.

[Payal Pasha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Scientists are on a secret expedition in search of neanderthals that have been spotted a few times and still believed to be in existence somewhere in the mountains of Tajikistan. The first half of the story is quite exciting but then it begins to fall short of expectations.

[Tamara Rose Blodgett · Rating 4 out of 5]

People from all different walks of life are disappearing in the wildly remote, Pamir Mountains. When a shady American government agency hears local lore that strange, humanoid creatures have been taking people for hundreds of years, they launch an endeavor shrouded in deceit and exploitation.

Commandeering [Harvard] Professor Kellicut ( for the government's nefarious purposes) and given superficial revelations only, Kellicut begins an expedition which he soon discovers that keeping any findings silent may save his life. When the agency loses contact with Kellicut, they enlist ( under false pretenses) two former lovers and current scientist rivals to locate Kellicut.

They soon embrace the search when clues lead to a reality Scientists Mattison and Arnot could have never postulated. What they begin to discover throws all theories their colleagues had ascribed out the window. When a species of (supposedly) extinct humanoids are discovered, excitement turns to horror as differences endanger the expedition and it's revealed the “creatures” have an extraordinary means of communication that is both wondrous and devastating to Mattison and Arnot's very survival.

An absolute great read that is fast-paced, interesting and thrilling, it will appeal to evolutionary theorists, fantasy, wilderness and mystery lovers. I read this in one day, it was a couldn't-put-it-down book. Darnton is a very strong writer who won a Pulitzer Prize for stories he smuggled out of Poland during martial law. The strength of this novel is it's natural prose, where one never “sees” the mechanics of Darnton writing; flawless!

[Sportyrod · Rating 3 out of 5]

Scientists go in search of discovery of neanderthal life following a growing number of unexplained disappearances in the mountains of Tajikistan.

Archaeological philosophy is the main feature of discussion. What caused the neanderthals to become extinct? Or did the blood lines mix and form a new species?

The story is well-researched and covers a storyline based on known prehistoric traditions and rituals as well as adding an element of modern curiosity and debate.

The characters are quite basic and considerably black or white but still make an exciting action-packed adventure.

I like the mix of history and storytelling.

I would recommend this to anyone who likes action, archaeology or prehistory.

[Preeti · Rating 2 out of 5]

A B-rate Michael Crichton wannabe thriller. I'm used to Crichton's books being filled with information, but he usually has a way of integrating that information with the action so it doesn't seem boring. John Darnton doesn't have them same skill. The information on the subject, which is critical to the story, is presented as someone asking simple questions, or in another simple, boring manner, and if I wasn't interested in the sheer learning aspect, I'd have been bored.

Events unfold either too fast or too slow, and a lot of the story seems contrived.

I would have given it only 2 stars, but I was intrigued at the way the author explored the Khodzant Enigma, so I threw in the extra .5.

[ULa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bagian permulaannya seru, waktu mereka bertemu dengan kelompok neanderthal yang jahat. Cerita jadi sedikit membosankan waktu Matt dan Susan tinggal di tempat neanderthal yang baik.
Penjelasan ilmiah tentang neanderthal terlalu panjang, rasanya buku yg kupegang bukan nover berlatar belakang arkeologi dan antropologi tapi pelajaran arkeologi dan antropologi berbentuk novel.
Cerita penyelamatan Van dan Susan benar-benar anti-klimaks. Dan cerita ini berakhir dengan biasa
- biasa saja.

Terkadang terjemahannya agak aneh dan beberapa kesalahan kata di sana sini. Dan yang terkadang mengganggu adalah kata "anda" dan "saya" yang selalu digunakan.

[Jennifer Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although this book came out more than a decade ago, it's still a fascinating read. Starting from how a group could potentially survive (Yeti, anyone?) to how they would communicate and what kind of social dynamics they would have. Also, the question of what we should do if we encountered a creature like that. Do nothing, right? But what if lives were on the line? This is a book I would read over and over every several years. It's really close to 5 stars, but it just won't measure up to Les Miserables.

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

Part 1 was interesting. Susan and Matt discover a tribe of Neanderthals in the mountains of Turkmenistan! They aren't extinct after all!! And then this book starts to drag ass like no other book I have ever read. They're captured! Then they escape! Then...they are captured! And then...they escape! And on and on and on. Christ! I definitely do not recommend this book unless you’re into Anthropology.

[Glenn · Rating 3 out of 5]

When researchers are 'sent for' by a former colleague who is currently looking for existing neanderthals, there's a thrill of discovery that keeps the pages turning. Almost too much like Jurassic Park at times- but still quite a good story. The beginning (the mystery, the wonderment, unanswered questions...) is much better than the end (post-discovery)- but it's a quick read and it's decent. A thought-provoking look into the past...and maybe the future.

[Les · Rating 3 out of 5]

My Original Notes (1996):

Should make a great movie! I had a little trouble getting into the book, but stuck with it. The last third was the most interesting and suspenseful. Reminded me a bit of Jurassic Park.

My Current Thoughts:

I only have a very vague recollection of this thriller, and since I no longer own a copy and it's not a title we carry in the store, I won't be able to thumb through it to refresh my memory.

[Ivan Stoikov - Allan Bard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Every anthropologist must read this book! Great and scary adventure about our ancient (or actually about the remains of them) cousins - neanderthals. Adventure about the moral in science too, about a "secret" which reveals the real story of the extinction of these brothers of ours... and about the awful side of our nature, the ability to lie and cheat...

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is fabulous! Action packed and mysterious. I've listened to it on CD also, and George Guidall is a master at narrating. Ill listen to anything he narrates,

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

they do exist in the remote region of Iraq..