The protagonist of this book is a very negative character. She uses people, lives by deceit. has no respect, supports dispicable causes and has no conscience. She is probably a bit of a psychopath. Normall,y I don't like books like that. However, in this case, I would make an exception. I would not say that I felt sympathy or empathy for her, but certainly understanding.
The book is nicely written. There is extensive use of metaphores and similies, some quite imaginative. I guess that is what got it onto the Booker shortlist. A high road 'like the spine of an enourmous animal'. Slate tiles ' glistening like fish scales in the sunlight'. There were also some phraes worth thinking about. 'Having a good accent is nothing. It is a consolation prize for people who are not fluent'.  That sounds attractive (I have a bad accent in Dutch, but I'm fluent), but is is true? ' Europe is trucking and pallets and nuclear power'. Again, thought-provoking. 
But what to make of all the stuff about Neaderthals? How much of that is factual, or at least what scientists currently believe? How does it relate to the book. I didn't really get it. What was I missing?
The book succedes as a page-turning thriller. You definately want to know what will happen next, and you will keep turning pages until you find out.