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: You will FALL IN LOVE with Auel's Ayla!!
Review: You must read this book! I highly, highly recommend it, along with the rest of the Earth Children's Series. You will love these books! Ayla is the strongest, most beautiful, lovable character I have ever confronted in literature. If I could meet any fictional character - it would without a doubt be Ayla. :-) The books are written beautifully as well. Auel does a fabulous job bringing the ice-age to life through breathtaking images and memorable characters. My ONLY complaint in this series is that the sex scenes are ridiculously "too perfect" - Augh. They could definitely be shorter, and there could be fewer of them. (You will not encounter these though, until the later books in the series, if you decide to read on.) I am a little hesitant for the final (6th) book to come out though... the 5th one ended on such a high note, I'm afraid to read on. Eeep.
| 
