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Summary: Am I Allowed To Do This?
Review: The upcoming publication of Auel's fifth book has renewed my interest in the EarthChildren series. I'm now re-reading the books and reviewing the first, which I originally read almost 18 years ago. Am I allowed to reminisce like this? Am I out of bounds? Well, don't try to stop me. This book is still clear in my mind after nearly two decades. In the early 80's, I thumbed through it at an Albertson's checkout line, finished the first chapter, and told my parents about it. I received it a week later for my birthday...and loved every minute of the story. Jean Auel's narrative powers swept me into a past rich and alive with people, creatures, smells, and sights that are immediately familiar, yet breathtakingly foreign. That's what first caught my attention. Then I began to care about Ayla, the skinny, pale child caught in an earthquake. I followed her story with keen interest and ached over her insecurities and alienation. This is a story about people with all the feelings and emotions of you and me. And though some tried to ban the book for one particular scene of forced sex, I found it in no way glorifying the act. In fact, as a teenager, it made me more aware of a female's struggle in a male-dominated society. I'll never forget the experience--indeed, that's what it was!--of reading this novel. To go back and relive the story of Ayla all over again is a treat. I can't wait for "The Shelters of Stone." Only rarely does an author create a world so rich and believable that we could almost call it home.
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Summary: A great book...and I'm only 11 years old!!
Review: This was a really great book. I loved the descriptions of the different herbs and flowers. It was the kind of book that made you want to find out what's going to happen next...I could hardly put it down! But, towards the end of the book it got sad and depressing. The ending was sad too. But other than that, this book was great!!
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Summary: If you haven't read this and the rest of the series...
Review: ...you're really missing out! First off, let me announce to those who are not aware that BOOK FIVE IS COMING OUT IN MAY 2002!... The entire series is excellent, but you MUST 'begin at the beginning' with COTCB. Jean Auel's carefully detailed prehistoric world - how they hunted, worshipped, cooked, and lived - is endlessly facinating to me. The characters really come to life and this - the first book in the series - sets the tone for the next three books. I almost envy those of you who have not yet read them - you're in for a special treat!
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Summary: The best series I have ever read
Review: I saw the movie and was not interested in reading the book. My sister gave it to me and promised it was a good book and that I would love it. She understated! I couldn't put it down. I immediately purchased the rest of the series. I read the entire series over the summer of 2000 and am going to read it again this year. I yearn for the fifth book, but I understand the author is very ill and I wish her well. Besides being an absorbing adventure, this story is painstakingly researched. Ms. Auel's knowledge of healing herbs and plants is impressive. It was also interesting to learn how primitive people probably foraged for food and what kinds of things they may have eaten (water lily tubers, for example) I was thoroughly entertained and got an education at the same time. My favorite kind of read.
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Summary: This book is VERY GOOD!
Review: When I was recommended this book, I was skeptical. A book about cavemen? After reading it, however, I changed my views and went on to read the rest of the series (this book is the best). Ayla, the heroine, is strong and courageous, perfect for this world but unfit for the Neandertals she had to live with. She shows the adaptability of Homo Sapiens. I admire her for this. Note: Some of the information of the book may not be valid now, as the book was written in the 80's.
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Summary: Window to a different time
Review: This is an outstanding book; the first and by far the best of the Earth's Children Series. In telling the story of Ayla and the Clan, Jean Auel opens a window to the life of our ancestors many many centuries ago. The primitive beliefs and customs, the tribal ceremonies and rituals are fascinating and the play of human relationships between the various characters makes for a very good read. The characters themselves are many faceted (except perhaps Broud, whose persistent villainousness seems more 21st century!) and Jean Auel manages to get the reader in sync with the thoughts and actions of each character. It is educative to see the clearly defined roles people had in those days; the chieftain, the medicine woman, the priest. Against its backdrop of another time and place, the story itself is age old. A newcomer to a group upsets the set norms of existence and questions ideas and rules that the group takes for granted. Some in the group appreciate the challenge, others insist that the norms are set in stone and cannot be challenged. This is a book for any student of human nature. Highly recommended.
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Summary: NEW BOOK ARRIVES MAY 2002
Review: That's right, the next book in the series will hit shelves in May 2002!! --THE SHELTERS OF STONE--
Rating:
Summary: NEW BOOK ARRIVES MAY 2002
Review: That's right, the next book in the series will hit shelves in May 2002!! THE SHELFTERS OF STONE
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Summary: Should have a warning label "May cause extreme addiction"
Review: I think my title says enough.
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Summary: A Scientific Saga
Review: I just finished reading this book and I think it is one of the best books I ever read. This book tracks the voyage of a Cromagnon girl who lives in a clan of neanderthals. This clan adopts her as a member of it. This book is about how the clan accepts her and learns to deal with her differences. This book is not only a great story but it is scientifically accurate. I would call this book a scientific saga.
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