I remember being glued to the book when it first came out. This time around, not so much. It was clunky writing & so filled with anthropological & historical details that the story was buried at times. Still, it was an interesting idea.

Life changing. An insight into the life and lives of prehistoric 'earth children'. Loved the series - Valley of the Horses, Mammoth Hunters, etc. These 'cave' men and women were just like us with loves, hate, jealousy, heartbreak, curiosity, some with dignity, some with none. The series is a mammoth historical and literary marvel. I don't recall exactly when I read them, but they were memorable and awesome.

The reason this fictional novel is so absorbing is because it's meticulously researched. The author spent time with survivalists, botanists, anthropologists, etc., and if transported into prehistoric times could probably not only survive but assimilate and flourish with the indigenous population! Armed with expert knowledge, she then adds brilliant imagination and character development together to create a story you buy into completely. She creates a immersive culture complete with an involved faith and belief system. Small details about the language of the clan make it unbelievably rich. Since the world and inhabitants are our own, and not some sci-fi make believe, it's even easier to get lost in the novel. It's a novel that will engage a non-reader as easily a bookworm, and it's hard to leave it mentally to go about your day. You'll find yourself thinking about it while going about your own tasks, and it'll be on your own "all-time favorites" shelf, too.
However, I have a word of warning. Because she planned a book series, the end of book one is no real end. You are left without closure, and dying to move to book two. But, fellow reader, just stop there and enjoy the fact that she wrote so well to leave you longing. For this author is a one-hit-wonder. The following novel is just a formulaic romance novel. And your questions about the characters you so wanted to follow are never, ever answered, no matter how many Earth's Children books you read. So read The Clan of the Cave Bear, and buy it in hardback, because you will reread this one! Then move on.

The Earth's Children series is wonderful. Truly historic novels - of prehistory. Wonderful character development, descriptions (detailed without being Michener-eseque), and taught storylines create excellent novels - for the first 3. After that, it's sex and travel.
I read these books for the first time as an early teen (11-12?, something like that); rereading them not only gives me a different viewpoint into the history, the detailed relationships that develop, and the true meaning of family that Auel develops through both Ayla's and Jondalar's adventures; reading them also takes me back to the days where a friend and I, and sometimes a group of friends from the neighborhood, used to "play" Clan of the Cave Bear in the woods across the street from our 'hood.
Worth rereading.

Má nejoblíbenější sága z dětství, četla jsem ji celkově 2x.

I loved stepping back in time and getting to know Alya and watch her grow and see her strenght. so many emotions will run through you as you read this story and the ending leaves you eager to jump into the next book

Loved the tale and appreciated thinking about the evolution of the people and their customs.

First half of book very slow then it picked up -

The first environmental/eco book though I'm not sure this is what Jean Auel intended.

A fun dramatic read.

the first in the series was really good and an exciting peek into anthropology

Jak jsem si vůbec mohla myslet, že by mě Ajla někdy přestala bavit? Miluji tuhle sérii stejně, jako když jsem ji četla poprvé.