The Inheritors

A small tribe of Neanderthalians suddenly comes in contact with modern <i>Homo sapiens</i>, 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 <i>Homo neanderthalensis</i> to their "inheritors", more intelligent and inventive, but already affected by inner quarrels, jealousy and violence.