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beckethm 's review for:
The Last Neanderthal
by Claire Cameron
If ever a novel cried out for an explanatory author's note, it's this one. Give Claire Cameron credit for spinning an imaginative tale of Neanderthal life, but I was constantly distracted by wondering how much of the story was "real" (that is, how much is supported by current science and how much of the Neanderthal mode of living is the author's invention). The edition I read provided no explanation.
I found the modern parts of the story dry. The archaeologist, Rose, was not a particularly likable character, driven but very self-absorbed and too ready to use people around her. When she ran into trouble it was hard to feel sympathy; her problems are mostly of her own making.
The prehistoric part of the story was more compelling, but again, it was hard to know how much credence to give it. The ending, to my mind, left too many questions unanswered.
I found the modern parts of the story dry. The archaeologist, Rose, was not a particularly likable character, driven but very self-absorbed and too ready to use people around her. When she ran into trouble it was hard to feel sympathy; her problems are mostly of her own making.
The prehistoric part of the story was more compelling, but again, it was hard to know how much credence to give it. The ending, to my mind, left too many questions unanswered.