"The Last Neanderthal" by Claire Cameron

   How I love linear narratives in novels!  And, perhaps, I have complained a bit about 'disruptive' narratives.  I like that word (disruptive) because you just get into one storyline when it switches to the other story.  I find it really disruptive!  If you can tolerate my rants, you can read about it here.
  However, I enjoyed reading "The Last Neanderthal", even though it had two plotlines.  AND, I learned that it is called 'bifurcated narrative'- divided into 2 narratives.  Also called 'twinned narrative'.
   

These are the 2 narratives in this novel:
1.) a Neanderthal family with young daughter "Girl" as the focus.
2.) a modern-day archaeologist, Rose Gales, who discovers the remains of "Girl" in France.

What is spectacular is that Girl's remains are facing the remains of a Homo Sapien male, with the inference of interbreeding between the species.
  So, Claire Cameron, the author, imagines the circumstances around this situation.

   With 40,000 years between the narratives, there is a wonderful connection between Rose and Girl- both young mothers with very different challenges.
   Quite a fascinating book!

Claire Cameron

 The author, Claire Cameron is 44 and lives in Toronto.  She has previously written fiction and non-fiction, but her best known novel is "Bear".  It is a suspenseful story about a young girl and her brother who have to fend for themselves after a bear attack.