Kenya, 1995--As two young
paleoanthropologists find evidence that indicates ancient humans lived on a
particular piece of Savannah land much more recently than believed, a
non-verbal Gracile Hominid boy watches them rifle through where he has slept
before they climb into some kind of flying bug that takes them away.
The main adventure happens as
Ken (the young American scientist) and the ancient boy he calls Long Toes find
themselves depending on each other for minute-by-minute survival in the Kenyan
wilderness. Each of them is a mystery who fascinates and terrifies the other.
Meanwhile, Ngili, the young
Kenyan scientist, finds himself pulled into family, political
responsibilities and conflict that influence the lives and futures of all who
live in the nation.
The storyline includes lions,
poachers, drug rings, professional back-stabbing, political meltdown, science,
business, ethics, international conflict, bigotry, hatred, death, murder, war,
sex, friendship, and wonder . . . action-packed. I loved the idea that a piece
of earth and early humanity might be preserved through time and was appalled
but unsurprised at the ugly sides of our humanity, regardless of evolutionary
stage. Perhaps someone will turn this book into a movie. I think it could
be done well.
