Rating: 
Summary: Too good for words!
Review: This novel was gripping. What can I say... I couldn't put it down. And that is probably why I am sitting here at 12:30 at night wishing that I had the sequel. It has an unbelievable cast of characters; Ayla, the orphaned Homo sapien child with spirit, pride, and the unique ability to shed tears and laugh, Iza, the Neanderthal medicine woman who begged for the clan leader to take her in, Creb, the crippled old holy magician that agreed to provide for them both, Broud the heir, a neanderthal male chauvinistic pig who is driven slightly insane (at least that is my perception) by everything that Ayla does and represents, along with a host of other, equaly intriguing memorable characters too numerous to meantion. In the society these people live in Men are entirely dominent. In an almost animalistic structure, the lowliest male is socially higher then the highest female. This might infuriate a great deal of the women who read this book, except for the fact that Auel as author manages for the deeper meaning to come across. She shows that the Neanderthals are a dying race, so set in their ways, so psychologically unable to change that the dominence is no longer a Slight. It is the Way Things Are. But Ayla, as a child of the newer species, is not totally able to come to terms with this. No matter how obedient she is, there is something about her, her pride and confidence, that shows through. And this angers our antagonist Broud to no end. Because he knows, deep down, that she is more than he is. CLAN is full of struggle and strife and all that good stuff. Will the strange child be allowed to stay? Will Broud break her spirit? What will happen when Iza has her child? Will she have to leave the hearth of Creb? And if that happens who will take Ayla? This novel spans more than a decade and I as the reader felt that it did every moment justice. If it were a meal I would be content right now. But man, I have to get my hands on the next one. This one ended with such a cliff hanger! -Eli@
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Book
Review: One of the best books I've read. It brought tears to my eyes especially at the end. Strong and touching it made me really think. The book is excellent to the very last word.
Rating:
Summary: An exciting novel full of human emotion
Review: Clan of the Cave bear is a wonderful story which wraps the reader with every sentence. The length Auel went to authenticate her story are admirable and marvelous. I loved how she explored the spirit world and the intricate language used by the clan. However, while many people seem to think the Clan are Neanderthal, their description more acurately fits Cro-Magnon man. Also, the book series portrays ayla as the savior of mankind even though her race will die out.
Rating:
Summary: my favorite Ever!
Review: I'm sure everyone already knows the plot, so I'll skip that. this thoroughly - researched, impossible - to - resist book is my favorite book ever - and, since I read over half an hour every day, that definitely is saying a lot. One of those books that, very so often, you feel the urge to read it over and over again until you're sick of it (at least for now!) I love and admire the characters, especially (of course) Ayla. The rest of the series goes just the tiniest bit downhill, but they are still some of the best books ever. Other great authors, if you have some time on your hands, are Linda Schuler,Lynn McKee, Kage Baker, Marrion Bradley, Michael Crichton, Tamora pierce...ah, forget it. there are too many to list.
Rating:
Summary: A great book
Review: This is a wonderful book that is exciting and new. If you are looking for an original book that contains adventure and a bit of mystery, this is the book for you. The sequels to this book lag a bit though. "Valley of Horses" was good but not quite as good as the first book (Clan of the Cave Bear). The rest of the series are acutally really boring because they keep on repeating the same stuff that was in the first and second book. I am in the middle of the third book, "The Mammoth Hunters" and I find that I have to force myself to read it because it is so boring.
Rating:
Summary: Best book of the series
Review: Even though some of it is far fetched, and a little unbelievable thats fine. Its not as if its possible to tell what the people were like in that age. Very interesting idea's, well written with great characters....I loved the ending, it made me have to read the sequel which is good. I must say the rest arent as great, but still really good. One minor problem in my opinion is the extensive detail about the settings....to me it was boring and i usually skipped those parts. Still a great book give it a try.
Rating: 
Summary: an imaginative and absorbing book
Review: Don't expect anything profound here, but this is a verydetailed and absorbing glimpse at the prehistoric world, even if allof it is pure speculation. Ayla, the protagonist, is basically your typical wonder child who realizes her destiny as a superior being after being raised by a more primitive tribe. Other characters are also fairly one-dimensional, and I cared about them only fitfully. That being said, Auel's description of the Neanderthal culture, social order, and proto-religion is fascinating from an anthropological standpoint. I was compelled to finish the book out of simple curiosity... and it was worth it. Long, descriptive passages are Auel's cup of tea, and she can be eloquent sometimes. I will probably read the rest of the series at some point--perhaps in a hotel lobby at 3 a.m., where I read much of Clan of the Cave Bear. It's that kind of book-difficult to justify setting actual time aside for...
Rating:
Summary: A little much for a 14 year old
Review: Do you not remember the Clan of the Cave Bear hype in the mid-80's.....it was all the rage. The book is good. Good story, a little difficult to believe at times, since a lot of the actions of the people in the "clans" are hypothesized. But all in all a determinate story of survival, and coming of age in the post ice valleys. I do believe that she, Auel stole a bit from the Native Americans, well not steal per se, since their culture more closely mirrors the nomadic clans, but there are interesting depictions of seers, spirit chasers and medicine women. There are some romantic scenes which I have to admit were a little much for a 14 year old, but interesting nonetheless. Slightly educational and a good read. - Jennifer Rees
Rating: 
Summary: No plot, No Characters
Review: One of the worst novels I have ever read. Well researched - maybe, poorly written - definately. The plot simply goes nowhere, and the characters are so unrealistic and banal that it is impossible to feel sympathetic toward them. Why the author felt she had to abandon any attempt at subtlety, and write as if the readers were as ignorant as her characters seem to be is beyond me.
Rating:
Summary: Where is N° 5 and 6°
Review: I've read the 4 books by Jean M. Auel (twice). I'm sure the story has not ended yet. I cannot sleep because I want to know what happens next. Please Mrs. Auel could you finish the other books as you entended to do ? A suggestion : the story is very strong on its own. No need to waste paper by inserting a full description of their love-life every twenty pages. I'm sure you did it for commercial reasons and not because the story is incomplete without these descriptions. Thanks for the many hours of joy I had with your books. Hope I did not make to many mistakes in English.Anita
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