THE LAST NEANDERTHAL by Claire Cameron is a book I’ve been meaning to read for a longgg time – and I’m glad I finally did! If follows a young Neanderthal woman “Girl”, as well as an anthropologist in the modern day, who has just discovered the bones of Girl. The perspective shifts every few chapters as the two women’s lives seem to parallel one another. The gist of it is that Neanderthals, generally dismissed as an inferior species because they went extinct and we didn’t, actually have quite a bit in common with humans. Very interesting!

Terrific premise - I wish more books were written about the era. Was quite glad to see this book shortlisted for major awards. Looking forward to more from Claire Cameron.

Have you seen movie The Quest For Fire (1981)? It features a group of prehistoric humans trying to re-acquire fire after they lost it in a battle. Their language is rudimentary and they mostly act like beasts. Although the movie claimed—not without some controversy—to reflect the research of the time, it was based on a novel written by J.-H. Rosny in… 1909! By and large, the perception of archaic humans had barely changed in seventeen years.
Maybe this helps to put in perspective the progress historians have made in the past decades: we discovered ourselves several cousins, such as the Denisovans, and we discovered that most modern humans carry a small amount of Neanthertalian DNA. The sad part is that very little of all of those exciting and stunning findings made it to public knowledge.

This is why I appreciate so much this new book by Claire Cameron. Setting a story during the Paleolithic Period and imagining a Neanderthal as a main character was a daring, risky, and fabulous idea which I really want to salute here.

In a nutshell, The Last Neanderthal relates two parallel stories: one imagines the life of a female Neanderthal, called Girl, who has seen the population of her kind dwindle over the years and whose family is facing life-threatening challenges.
The other is about a pregnant archaeologist in modern time who just excavated the remains of this same Neanderthal woman.

To be honest, I wish this book had just been about Girl, the Neanderthal. It was very original and refreshing, and by far the best-executed part of the book. Cameron pulls you in this ancient world where Nature defines and dominates everything, and where humans had no choice but to fully be part of it. You feel right there, beside Girl, sniffing the wind for threat or food, gazing at the sky for information, and appreciating the warmth and safety provided by her small family. I also particularly enjoyed how Girl was trying to make sense of the dynamics within her family with her limited intellect but acute instincts.
This ability of immersing the reader into her world, especially into the wild, is something Cameron had already shown she excels in with her previous novel The Bear.

 "When Girl peeked her head out of the hut that morning, she could smell the struggle of spring. It was the first day of the hunt and the land had come alive. The sun worked hard to peel the winter ice away from the earth. As it did, it uncovered a deep hunger in the land. The same kind of craving lived in the bellies of all the beasts who roamed the valley of the mountain. Girl watched as the trees below swayed with worry. They could feel the vibrations from the growling bellies through the soil around their roots. Cold air clung to the pine needles and each sprouting cone at the end of each branch quivered in anticipation. The ground shifted in discomfort as the ice let it go. Spring brought life for some, but it brought death for others."

It was incredibly easy to empathize with Girl. Cameron made her very accessible to us and manages to create a sense of connection with this extinct branch of the human family. She made Girl's growing feeling of loneliness terribly easy to relate to, so much that we can even feel sadness and regret that we'll never know what Neanderthals could have developed into. What would the world look like if they had survived to share it with us today?

Unfortunately, the other character in The Last Neanderthal, the archaeologist Rosemund Gale, was a disappointment.
First, I expected a more realistic depiction of pregnancy rather than a series of simplistic clichés: the throwing up, the inconvenience of baby bumps, and the uncontrollable mood swings.
Pregnancy, like sickness, is one of those experiences that reminds us humans are still subject to Nature: we can't choose how a pregnancy unfolds. However, Gale seems in complete control: in particular, she decides to overwork till the birth, as if it was just a matter of will. This was grating.

"It was Tuesday and I had promised Simon that I would have the baby on the weekend. I was left to wonder what I should do with my free time—not something I was accustomed to having. I had declined a birthing course, as it was nothing I couldn’t learn from a book."

Another sore point was the (absence of) relationship between Gale and the little individual growing in her belly. There is much talk (rant?) about the pregnancy, but hardly a thought about the baby. Gale's experience was dry, cold and terribly practical.
Finally, I didn't like how the role of the father was dismissed, if not denied: Gale keeps pushing her boyfriend away, even though she definitely needs help, and the baby a father. She shuts him off their pregnancy and doesn't mind the prospect of giving birth in another country, even though it could easily be otherwise. Contrary to Girl, Gale made herself alone. I just found her obnoxious and selfish.

All this being said, I would recommend The Last Neanderthal for its originality. I wish more books could make me travel like this one. Girl is a fabulous character, her story is frankly epic, and I loved imagining her surrounding, feelings, and way of thinking. I can only commend Cameron for making us feel a connection with such ancient ancestors.
The book wasn't perfect, but it is definitely special and deserve attention.

The Last Neanderthal is the newly released third book from Claire Cameron. Each book from Cameron has been completely different from the last. This latest springs from Cameron's fascination with Neanderthals.

Research has shown that some modern humans have inherited 1- 4% of their DNA from Neanderthals, indicating that 'rather than a more evolved version of Neanderthals, we are close cousins."

The Last Neanderthal is Cameron's imagining of that time - the end of the Neanderthals and the beginning of humans.

Cameron's story is told through the eyes of Girl and her family far in the past. In the present it is Rose's voice. She is the archaeologist who has just uncovered the skeletons of a human and a Neanderthal buried together - facing each other.

Girl's voice was first and I was so drawn to her. Cameron imbues Girl and her family with, well - humanity. They care and respect each other. But the drive is to survive - to find enough to eat, to procreate and to see another season. I became so invested in this family, notably Girl, Runt and Big Mother. The reader knows what happens to the Neanderthals, but it is Cameron's imagining of Girl's thoughts, feeling and actions that brings the book to life. I enjoyed the description of their language, customs and culture. (And found myself reading more about Neanderthals on the web)

In present day, Rose's discovery of the skeletons is the pinnacle of her career and her research. But it coincides with major changes in her personal life and creates upheaval at home and at work. As Rose's life moves forward the similarities with the past become evident. Girl and Rose are not that different, despite the time separating them. "I know that if I had ever been fortunate enough to meet her, I would look into her eyes and know her. And maybe she could know me. We were so much the same."

The book ends on a great note, but I didn't want it to - I wanted more of Girl's story. The Last Neanderthal is another great read from Cameron - one that will make you feel, make you think and make you wonder.......

Novels set in prehistoric times are rare, so I couldn't resist reading this one. The story unfolds through the points of view of two main characters - "Girl" who is a Neanderthal in prehistoric times, and Rosamund Gale, a modern day archaeologist. During an archaeological dig, Rosamund discovers the bones of a Neanderthal and a human in a grave face to face. The story shifts back and forth between the two characters, highlighting not only the complications in their lives, but also their two pregnancies.

Like most novels set in prehistorical eras, I did find a lot of detail and description, but that is to be expected as it is necessary to fully flesh out the early historical period. As for the contemporary setting, there were a number of characters that played minuscule roles in the story and this sometimes stood in the way of allowing the main characters to be fully developed. I also was hoping for a romantic link between the persons the bones belonged to. Despite that, the book was well written and held my interest to the end. A great easy read.

A compelling read about humans, Neanderthals, archaeology, motherhood, and survival. 

Award-winning author Claire Cameron blends modern scientific research, compassion and wisdom to tell a story of evolution, community and struggle that spans thousands of years.

Rose, a modern-day archaeologist discovers irrefutable proof that modern humans co-habitated with Neanderthals. In the distant past, the Neanderthal Girl lives with family and faces the daily challenges with those she loves. Meanwhile, Rose does the same.

This is a book that challenges modern assumptions about Neanderthals, motherhood and the place of community in our lives. There is some sex, and some readers may be upset by graphic descriptions of violence toward animals. The story is engaging and hard to put down.

This new title from the author of the bestselling novel "The Bear" does not disappoint! The unique narrative structure and compelling characters hooked me from the start.

A special thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House Canada and Doubleday Canada for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Being a Canadian, I always like to read and review Canadian authors.  I read Cameron's The Bear for a book club selection, I didn't love it, but I was eager to give her another chance.  

An interesting premise—Cameron juxtaposes the last Neanderthal family against a parallel modern-day storyline.  Initially I was unsure, Neanderthals?  After finishing The Last Neanderthal, I'm glad that I requested something that normally I wouldn't be attracted to.  

40,000 years in the past, the last Neanderthals are fighting for survival after a hard-fought winter.  Their numbers are low, but Girl is coming of age and her family are determined to make the trek to the annual meeting place in hopes of securing her a mate to carry on their species.  The small family's existence is further threatened by the elements and nature and Girl is left to care for Runt, a small foundling of unknown descent.  Once again, Girl and Runt must face the winter and risk their survival.

In modern-day France, we meet archaeologist Rosamund Gale who has just learned that she is pregnant and worried about the repercussions of having a baby.  The site that Rose is working at contains the remains of a female Neanderthal that appears to be embracing a Homo Sapiens male—were they lovers?  This startling discovery has scientists reevaluating what they believed were our origins.  With a race against impending motherhood, Rose does not want to give up her work after making incredible strides in a male-dominated field of study.  She often has to defend her position simply because she is a woman.  Rose begins to feel an incredible amount of pressure as the project in jeopardy of losing funding, and she has just learned that she is the sole bread winner after her partner Simon loses his teaching position.  

Rose and Girl are linked through time by their pregnancies and experiences of what it means to be a woman, a mother, and to survive.

Primal, raw, and unique, this was an interesting read.

The Last Neanderthal is an innovative new novel from the author of The Bear. Once again, Cameron uses a haunting, unexpected voice to tell a story that explores what it means to be human, particularly as a woman. This novel connects two women who are separated by 40,000 years – and yet they both face the same struggles and taboos as they attempt to reconcile motherhood with their own desires.

Thousands of years ago, in what is now France, Girl is the oldest daughter in a close-knit Neanderthal family. They are hunters and gatherers, with minimal language, and yet they find ways to express themselves and their feelings for each other. Big Mother is the respected matriarch, doing her best to raise her children to be strong and healthy. However, she cannot prevent Girl from growing up and exploring her newfound sexuality in dangerous ways. As the family travels to their annual meeting place to find Girl a mate, they face many problems along the way – including their own complex relationships. 

In present day France, archaeologist Rosamunde Gale makes an incredible discovery – a Neanderthal female buried in an intimate embrace with a Homo Sapiens male. As Rose and her assistant slowly reveal the burial site, they realize that it could lead to a reevaluation of everything we know about our human roots. While scientists formerly scorned Neanderthals as an inferior species that was simply a step on the way to Homo Sapiens evolution, we now know that Neanderthal DNA can be found in up to four percent of the current European and Asian populations. The exposure of Rose’s cross-species couple could be the answer to how this happened - instead of a stepping stone in evolution, the Neanderthals were perhaps close cousins and even lovers to Homo Sapiens.

When she finds out that she’s pregnant, Rose races to finish her excavation before it is taken from her by the male financial backers who don’t believe that motherhood is compatible with the rigors of archaeology. Simply because of her gender, Rose is forced to defend her abilities to continue the job at which she excels – she struggles to succeed as a working woman, providing for her family both financially and emotionally. As we jump to the past, Girl’s journey is also fraught with disaster – small issues soon become life-threatening, and the family diminishes quickly. Girl is left alone to care for Runt, a child who was adopted into the family, and she realizes how much more difficult it is to survive the winter with the responsibilities of a child. 

There is a clear link between the two women across time, as they struggle to reconcile their work and desires with the obligations of family and the strict bonds of being female. From Girl to Rose, 40,000 years have passed and yet it is still taboo for a woman to put herself before her family. While science and archaeology continue to show us that our past is much more complex than we realize, it is also true that the Neanderthal girl and the Homo Sapiens woman share more than just DNA. 

This novel is an exploration of what it means to be human, specifically as a woman today, and how it is reflected on our past. It shows that survival always comes with compromise, and ultimately sacrifice. Both Girl and Rose follow their biological imperative to preserve their people, and yet they show us that there is room for individual desires and successes within their female roles. It is fascinating to see that an examination of a girl who lived thousands of years ago, can teach us about being human in the world today.

I received this book from Little, Brown & Company and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.