I have a deep affection for these books and have repeatedly read several volumes in the Earth's Children series. The reason lies in my love for the detailed depictions of their way of life.

In fact, I initiated my reading journey of these books back in the fourth or fifth grade. I was completely engrossed in reading about their hunting methods, food gathering and storage techniques, as well as the creation of clothing and jewelry. Moreover, the contrasts between the Neanderthal and Cro-Magnon in these aspects fascinated me.

Additionally, I adored the fact that Ayla was an innovative and robust woman. I took great pleasure in learning about botany and the medicinal uses of plants as she evolved into a medicine woman.

However, it must be noted that the story can become somewhat absurd and repetitive in the later books. I can understand how some might label it as "prehistoric porn" since the author is equally descriptive when it comes to Ayla's sexual encounters as she is in describing the preparation of a healing poultice made from mustard seeds or an ochre tunic.

Nevertheless, despite these flaws, I still cherish these books for the unique insights they offer into prehistoric life.

3 stars

It’s official. My tastes in books are slowly evolving. I didn't have the same level of love for this book as I once did. I find that sometimes I'll fall in love with a particular book in a series and decide to keep only that physical copy while trading in the rest. What's the point of holding onto things that you no longer have a passion for?

I own the beautiful mass market paperbacks of these books. At the time, I adored the second book, but we'll see how things progress. I do want to finish reading the series. I also have the first book on Kindle and Audible. If I end up liking them in those formats, I might just get the other books as well. I'm really not sure at this point.

I have a deep affection for Ayla and her animals, but there are certain things that I just don't enjoy reading anymore.

Mel

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*** 3.65 *** This number holds a certain significance that we will now explore in greater detail. It could potentially be a measurement of something important, such as the length, width, or height of an object. Or perhaps it is a score that indicates a particular level of performance or achievement. Without further context, it is difficult to determine exactly what 3.65 means. However, we can make some educated guesses based on the information available. For example, if this number is related to a scientific experiment, it could represent a specific value that was obtained during the research. Or if it is a score in a game or competition, it could indicate the performance of a particular player or team. In any case, the number 3.65 is likely to have some sort of meaning or significance within the given context.

This is an incredible book.

However, I did find myself getting a little annoyed at times. Every time the narrative voice would stop and emphasize that the Clan had reached their genetic conclusion and would inevitably be surpassed by a newer (and perhaps greater) species on the earth's stage. Given that it was written by a member of that newer species, it had a bit of a gloating feel to it.

Nonetheless, despite this minor irritation, I still rate this book five out of five. The story is engaging, the characters are well-developed, and the overall concept is truly fascinating. It makes you think about the future of our own species and what might lie ahead.

Overall, I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys science fiction or thought-provoking literature. It's a great read that will keep you entertained from start to finish.

I have hardly ever read a novel that was both so entertaining and so educational.

It is truly remarkable. Schools could skip a longer part of history by just giving this novel to the pupils.

Described by the view of a young girl, the progress of the development of culture is shown uniquely.

We get to see how things evolved from the Stone Age.

The average Stone Age fantasy novel may include war, monsters, an epic love story, etc.

However, in this case, the slow telling shows the functioning of a forming society, its mechanisms and the rise of intelligence that leads to complex societies.

It's not just about the exciting elements but also about the deeper understanding of how our ancestors lived and how society came to be as it is today.

This novel offers a unique perspective that makes learning history both engaging and enjoyable.

It's a must-read for anyone interested in history or just looking for a great story.

The story presents an impressive saga of a time when life was far from easy and people had to rely on one crucial life and death matter.

Jean has truly done an outstanding job in bringing a whole ancient culture to vivid life. It is remarkable how she manages to capture the essence and details of that bygone era.

The reader is transported back in time, experiencing the challenges, the emotions, and the unique way of life of the people in that ancient culture.

Well done, Jean, for this remarkable achievement. It is a testament to her talent and dedication in bringing history to life in such a captivating and engaging manner.

Note, March 25, 2014: I edited this review slightly just now, to delete one accidental dittography. Hmmm, I thought I'd proofread this.... :-)

Auel's Earth's Children series has received a mixed bag of reviews on Goodreads, with the majority being negative. However, a dozen of my Goodreads friends have rated it, with scores ranging from one to five stars. My own reaction leans towards the favorable end of the spectrum.

Ayla, a Cro-Magnon orphaned by a natural disaster, is raised by a clan of Neanderthals. Writing historical fiction set in prehistory is a challenge as there are no written records. Auel was the first to attempt it on a large scale, popularizing the genre and creating a niche. She based her reconstruction on extensive research of physical evidence and scholarly interpretations. Her portrayal of Neanderthals, while speculative, has some basis in known physiology.

One weakness of Auel's writing is her tendency to overshare her knowledge, which doesn't always blend smoothly with the narrative. She also has a penchant for detailed sex scenes, which I don't consider a plus. However, these flaws are less prominent in this book compared to the later ones. Her strengths, on the other hand, include creating vivid, three-dimensional characters that readers can relate to, and addressing serious issues that are still relevant today, such as gender roles, interracial and cross-cultural relations, and the conflict between tradition and change. Overall, I consider this one of the better contemporary American novels and Ayla as one of the greatest fictional characters and female role models in modern literature.

An Astonishing Tale of Survival and Family Amidst the Last Great Ice Age

This is a story that has long been a favorite of mine. I first discovered this remarkable series through my mom, and to this day, we almost always return to it every summer to re-read it together. This time around, I simply couldn't resist. I purchased the boxed set and delved into it on my own, as it had been years since I last read these captivating books.

Ayla is a character of great strength and beauty. She had to learn to adapt to the ways of the Clan and become a true Clan woman. The ways of the Others, with whom she grew up, seem to align well with how we perceive the world today. It makes me truly appreciate the immense effort Ayla had to put in, biting her tongue and overcoming her differences, to stay with her new family.

Broud, on the other hand, still fills me with disgust. I sincerely hope that the rest of the Clan saw through his flaws, rejected him, and overcame their initial reluctance to change by choosing a new and more worthy leader. This story is not only about survival in a harsh and unforgiving environment but also about the power of family and the ability to adapt and grow.

This was an outstanding pick! I truly relished this reading experience.

Set in prehistoric times, Ayla's home and her family are tragically lost in a devastating earthquake. Homeless and alone, she wanders the land, barely managing to survive until she is discovered by Iza, a member of The Clan.

Ayla faces numerous challenges as she struggles to fit in and be accepted by The Clan. Their customs are completely foreign to her, and the treatment of women proves to be the main obstacle. In The Clan, all women have a lower status than men. They are expected to cook for the men, never ignore a direct order from a man, and are definitely not allowed to hunt.

As time passes, The Clan gradually becomes accustomed to the different girl, and she begins to integrate. However, not everyone is so understanding. Broud, the son of the Clan leader, harbors a fierce hatred for Ayla and will stop at nothing to bring her down. With some scenes being slightly shocking, I simply couldn't stop turning the pages.

This novel is filled with vivid descriptions, including details about the way cave people lived, their local sources of food, clothing, and intricate belief system. The wonderful cast of characters reminded me of the Disney film 'Brother Bear', where each Clan member has a spirit totem in the form of an animal. I was fully engrossed in this world and eagerly look forward to continuing the story.

4.0 Stars

This was truly a one-of-a-kind historical fantasy that delved deep into the question of what life might have been like during the prehistoric age. The narrative was distinct in its approach, as it kept the level of magic extremely low. Instead, it explored the concept of magic through the spiritualism of the tribe. This added a fascinating layer of authenticity and depth to the story. The author's vivid descriptions and attention to detail made it a very immersive experience. I found myself completely drawn into the world and the lives of the characters. It was a story that made me think and imagine, and I would most definitely be interested in continuing on with the later books in the series. I can't wait to see what other adventures and discoveries await in the prehistoric world that the author has created.

I could easily find myself sitting between a red-faced evolutionist and a screaming creationist, both engaged in a passionate argument around me. And yet, I would quite contentedly finish any book I was reading.

I'm no Louis Leakey, people. I'm not some renowned expert in anthropology. And I'm no Tammy Faye Baker, either. In fact, I'm an anthropological airhead. Arguing with me about creationism or evolution is like trying to convince me to become interested in my car's transmission. Whatever the hell that is. It simply ain't going to happen, folks.

I figure that if I don't personally have the ability to prove or disprove a theory (or identify a transmission), I'm just going to sit back, relax and focus on the stories. I love stories.

And since it turned out that my end-of-summer fantasy of having sex with Viggo Mortensen in a cave off of the Mediterranean Sea wasn't going to happen, I started searching for a story that would have an adventurous feel to it. And, you know, maybe some cave sex. Neanderthal cave sex, to be precise.

Now, if you're a creationist and you're getting worried about my language here, why don't we just replace the word Neanderthal for ex-boyfriends or my high school baseball team? And if you're an anthropologist and you're getting worried that I know no concrete facts about the evolution of man, I apologize for my inability to truly understand that a Neanderthal is something different from an ex-boyfriend or my high school baseball team.

Everybody feeling good now? Sort of? More confused than ever? So, back to the question that you never asked and possibly would never even wonder. Did I find excellent cave sex in this book of Neanderthals (or primitive man, or whatever in hell these little sloped forehead, hairy pygmies are supposed to be)?

Well, does this answer your question? In this primitive society, sex was as natural and unrestrained as sleeping or eating. Children learned as they learned other skills and customs, by observing adults, and they played at intercourse as they mimicked other activities from a young age. Often a boy who reached puberty, but had not yet made his first kill and existed in a limbo between child and adult, penetrated a girl child even before she reached menarche. Hymens were pierced young, though males were a little fearful if blood was spilled and quickly ignored the girl if it happened.

Ain't nothing sexy about that paragraph. Ms. Auel, do you understand that I've been home with my children all summer? No sleepaway camp, no evenings out on the town? Nada, lady. It's been a long, hot summer. And I don't mean sexy hot. I mean, damn, it's been in the 90s forever. I wanted to read about cave sex, not these little freaks.

And what's with their dialogue reading like Shakespearean soliloquies, when you clearly point out that these people can't do more than grunt and move their hands in rudimentary gestures? How now, Ms. Auel? Why do the Neanderthals talk with such sophistication? And why did you need to take 10 pages to describe a green leaf (that wasn't quite green, but gray, and transparent and fluttering in the breeze, with spots on it)? Just write the word “leaf” and let's move on.

Ack! I can't wait to return my copy. I'm using some hand signals right now, Ms. Auel. Can you see them? I don't like Neanderthals. They're awful. So's this book. I think I do prefer the Adam and Eve theory; they're like the Barbie and Ken of the ancient world, and I bet they had sex in a proper hotel.

And, just for the record, I hope the glorious angel Gabriel flies down from Heaven on a pterodactyl some day, and lands right on a street in New York City. I feel like we'd all shut up at the same time and hum in peaceful wonder at our awesome existence. Plus, his stories would be amazing.

I was completely taken by surprise. I didn't know "The Clan of the Cave Bear" (1980) by Jean M. Auel. I discovered it because I was looking for works of historical fiction, but I ended up finding something more as this is a work of science fiction, not in a futuristic or spatial sense, but in the sense of fictionalizing scientific knowledge about a very distant past.

The book that inaugurated the "Earth's Children" series, consisting of 6 books that sold more than 45 million copies, focuses on the daily life of two human species, the Neanderthal and the Sapiens, about 30,000 years ago, at a time when the Neanderthals were approaching extinction and the Sapiens were beginning the conquest of Europe and the world.

Although it is a work of fiction, the work is extensively based on knowledge existing in the 1970s in the areas of Archaeology, Paleontology, and Anthropology. As if that weren't enough, many of the ideas presented by Auel here have remained relevant in the face of new archaeological discoveries over the past 50 years.

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