A small tribe of Neanderthalians suddenly comes in contact with modern Homo sapiens, which leads to mutual incomprehension : the former's awe and fear in front of "the new people" has for counterpart the horror and disgust for these forest-dwelling devils they inspire to the latter. Golding opposes, in his usual, pessimistic way, the doomed, slow-witted but gentle and unselfish Homo neanderthalensis to their "inheritors", more intelligent and inventive, but already affected by inner quarrels, jealousy and violence.
In addition to its stand-alone volume, this title was published in the follow book. It can be rated independently of any volume containing it.
