In this polished anthropological SF yarn, the first of a trilogy from Nebula Award winner Sawyer (The Terminal Experiment), Neanderthals have developed a radically different civilization on a parallel Earth, as both sides discover when a Neanderthal physicist, Ponter Boddit, accidentally passes from his universe into a Canadian underground research facility. Fortunately, a team of human scientists, including expert paleoanthropologist Mary Vaughan, promptly identifies and warmly receives Ponter. Solving the language problem and much else is a mini-computer called a Companion implanted in the brain of every Neanderthal. A computerized guardian spirit, however, doesn't eliminate cross-cultural confusion permanent male-female sexuality, rape and overpopulation are all alien to Ponter nor can it help his housemate and fellow scientist back in his world, Adikor Huld, when the authorities charge Adikor with his murder. Ponter's daughter Jasmel believes in Adikor's innocence, but to prevent a horrendous miscarriage of justice (Adikor could be sterilized), she must try to reopen the portal and bring her father home. The author's usual high intelligence and occasionally daunting erudition are on prominent display, particularly in the depiction of Neanderthal society. Some plot points border on the simplistic, such as Mary's recovering from a rape thanks to Ponter's sensitivity, but these are minor flaws in a novel that appeals to both the intellect and the heart

罗伯特·索耶（Robert J.Sawyer）是加拿大最有影响力的科幻作家。已出版17部长篇科幻小说，屡获雨果奖、星云奖等多种科幻奖项，被誉为加拿大科幻教长。索耶的科幻小说涉及多种主题，从电脑狂魔、恐龙复活、时间旅行，到平行时空、太空侦探，想像奇伟，异彩纷呈。索耶的代表作除《金羊毛》外，还包括《计算中的上帝》、《终极实验》、《恐龙文明三部曲》（《远望》、《化石猎人》、《异族》）、《星丛》、《原始人类》和《混血》等。

Robert J. Sawyer was born in Ottawa and lives just outside of Toronto, Canada. He has won both the Hugo and Nebula Awards for best novel. Visit his Website at

个人网站：

www.sfwriter.com.