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Summary: A deep study on *otherness*.
Review: This is a marvelous book; it deals with Ice Age and the coexistence of Neanderthal and Cro-Magnon. A vivid and lucid reconstruction of a long forgotten era. Ayla is Cro-Magnon orphaned by an earthquake and adopted by a Neanderthal female, from this point on, a strange world unfold. It's a discovery trip for Ayla and the reader. At the same time allows us a deep insight into otherness. In a present world that is shrinking and cultural differences arise every minute, Ms Auel's work show the human common traits that make us kin to every other human being, even if it is as distant related as a Neanderthal. Don't miss this experience.
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Summary: Just like I'm right there!
Review: Ms. Auel is one of the greatest story tellers of all time. Her writings kept me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. I have her complete set, both in paperback and in hardcover, and wouldn't give them up for anything in the world. Please Jean, write more.
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Summary: IT BLEW me AWAY!!
Review: One word to describe this book? FANTASTIC. The first book is the best within the whole series. If you must, only read Clan of the Cave Bear. But I recomend reading the others as well.I read this book in 2 days and the entire Earth Children's Series in 1 week. Talk about devouring books. I couldn't put it down! Here in the first book, you meet Ayla and her adopted family, the Clan of the Cave Bear. This book is about spirituality, SURVIVAL and the brutalities that is man. Jane Auel, a bit wordy and lengthy at times, gives brilliant detail about the evolution of Homo Sapiens; us. Fictin and truth intermingle smoothly from one point to another; it's flawless. She transports us to a different place and time, the Ice Age. Its raw beauty of the Ice Age is literally illustrated in my mind. I can "see" what Ms. Auel is saying. An incredible book that tells and tells so much more than its face value. You cheer Ayla on and feel her pain. As corny as that may sound, this is great writing. It's one of the best books I've read. I've read it dozens of times and will continue too. Get it or buy it, either way, well worth the time, effort and/or money.
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Summary: The best story I've ever read!
Review: This is by far the best book I've ever read. The story starts off about 35,000 years ago, in ice age Europe with a young 5 year old cro magnon girl, named Ayla, who gets seperated from her family in a series of events that would change her life forever. Young, naked, starving, injured and completely defenseless, the helpless child began wandering until a migrating clan of ancient Neandertal people find the girl unconscies and on the brink of death. The clan, Clan of the Cave Bear, was made up of group of people that deeply worshipped Ursus, the spirit of the Cave Bear. Because of the strict customs and beliefs that made up the society they had lived in unchanged for nearly 100,000 years, they saw cro magnon man, people they referred to as "the Others," as an outsider that didnt belong in their land. Because the clan was homeless themselves from a similar chain of events and she was deffinently different from themselves, they decide to write the young girl off and leave her to die. It wasnt until the clan medicine woman begged the clan leader to let her help the girl and raise her as her own daughter did luck start to turn for the helpless girl. Though she was very different mentally and physicaly, the whole clan came to accept the girl as one of their own, well nearly everone except the clan leaders son Broad. Though Ayla tries as hard as she can to fit in with the ways of the clan people and follow their firm ancient customs, from the moment he first saw her, Broad hated the young girl and had a lifelong desire to make her life miserable. Through all of the lifelong abuse and downfalls she had sustained, Ayla still found away to remain strong and cope with it all. Jean Auel found away to make this story so descriptive and detailed that it's almost as if it takes you all the way back to ice age Europe. Though very sexually disturbing in some parts and not a book I'd reccomend for any minors under the age of 14 or so, it has a well written plot and a turn of events that make it an incredible story. "The Clan of the Cave Bear" deffinently has my 2 thumbs up.
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Summary: Clan Of The Cave Bears
Review: This was such a good book!!! It is the first book I have ever read from this author, but i enjoyed it immensly. I fully intend to read the secod book of this series, The Valley Of The Horses, as soon as I can get my hands on it. Ayla is the most wonderful heroine. She overcomes every thing thrown in her path. She has such an independent sprit it is had for her to fit into the customs of the Clan. This causes many problems for her especilly with Broud, the leader of the clan's son. She is taken in by Iza and her sibling Creb, the clans Mog-ur, they protect her aganst Broud. However they cant protect her forever and when Broud becomes the leader of the clan he death curses her and the book ends with her leaving the clan, alone.
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Summary: The life of one brave young girl
Review: "Clan of the cave bear" by Jean M. Auel shows the life of a young girl named Ayla, who is five years old who lives in the forest. This story takes place about 35,000 years ago, this young girl lives with animals, and learns the different way's other people live. Throughout the book Ayla changes her attitude towards older people of her clan, and towards nature. Her parents are killed by an earthquake which forces Ayla to live on her own. She does get injured however by a lion, after her wandering around the forest she is found by another clan called the clan of the cave bear. She is then raised by the new clan, she fells protected, but still misses her original clan, and family.
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Summary: Be prepared...
Review: Thats right, you must be prepared to spend the next month reading this book and the other 3 sequels. If you have any doubts whatsoever about reading this book, I recommend that you squash them right now. The aim of a book is to involve yourself with the characters, and this certainly happens. The enduring story of a young girl, seperated from her people, and forced to live in a society that doesn't accept you, really appeals to many people. (Face it, everyone has experienced unwantedness before). The main characters likeable, and the "bad guys" are hateable. The quality of writing makes the even scenery and small details interesting, for a book with a lot of archeological research. Jean M Auel creates aa new/old world that many of us never begin to think about, but this book creates a glimpse into our past. Utterley believeble and intensly realistic make "The Clan of The Cave Bear" is easily read for such a long book, and I guaruntee not a disapointment. Can't wait till the 5th installment of the series comes out.
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Summary: Who would have thought?
Review: I never would have guessed that this book would change my whole view on the past. I am now very interested in ancient lives that its all i read. I have read all of the series, and i cant wait for the next. I felt as though i was the character, and I couldnt(neither could you) predict what was next. The pages become alive in the mind. Go GET IT!!
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Summary: A Book for any person
Review: This book is great. Once you read it you will want to read the following books. It is a book you can get a romance reader, sci-fi reader, history reader, etc. or for that hard to buy for person. It can get a bit long winded but is worth the reading. I have read and re-read all the books and am just waiting to read the next. The characters and the situations they and the earth go threw are very interesting. My 10 year old is starting to read the first book. He likes it so far. He is an avanced reader so maybe most children should be older but you never know. When you pick this book up you won't put it down.
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Summary: Incredible research and description
Review: What impressed me most about this book was Ms. Auel's ability to create believable settings in a world so different from the one we live in. She must have written volumes of backstory, because unlike many novels (even novels set in familiar times) these characters feel like they inhabit a world that existed long before the novels first word, and will continue to exist long after its last.
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