5 comments about Shelters of Stone, The (Earth's Children®) (Earth's Children®).

1. We continue to be overwhelmed with "historical" information well established in previous volumes. The story line continues but it is weighted down with page after page of repetition. This volume could be half its size and sufficiently treat the topic. It is hoped the 6th and final volume will bring the story of Jondalar and Ayla to a conclusion without so much repetitious filler! Otherwise, a good read.



2. I agree with the first 3 reviews that I read. Not a great work but it kept me going as it had been years since the last book and I was curious. Aceys comments left me laughing. Especially about Wolf taking a dump in the cave and about Ayla showing some emotion other than frowning or smiling. Have you noticed that some authors fixate on a word ad naseum? With Auel it was smile. Virtually a smile per page. Sometimes 3 smiles per page. Maybe it was a Cro-magnon thing. James Clavell had a novel where everyone blanched. Constantly. Another author had his characters mumble. Constantly and inappropriately. I was tired of the smiling, her accent, her remarkable beauty, her inventive mind etc. With over 800 pages and repetitions of the wolf story, the horse story, the cave lion story I was relieved to finish. What I did like what the spiritual aspect of the book. They gave me some reflective moments and a feeling of connection to people 35,000 years now past. That's why it's a 3 star not two.



3. I was surprised to see the negative reviews on this book. Picky, picky! Are the negative reviewers all published authors too? Or maybe just professional critics? Jeesh! I thought it was a great story and really enjoyed it...in fact I've reread it a couple of times. It was a nice visit back to the characters in the original series.



4. While I am a BIG fan of the 'Earth's Children series and bought every volume, I was extremely disappointed in the final book 'Shelters of Stone'. Remove all the flowery scene descriptions and constant recapping of the previous 4 volumes and the book would have been no more than 100 pages. What a let down after such an incredible journey. I doubt a 6th volume would fill the void left by this blunder.



5. Absolutly riving - as good as all of her others. My only disappointment was coming to the end of the book!

5 comments about The Plains of Passage (Earth's Children®).

1. In this series I felt each book has been better than the previous one...until Plains of Passage. I feel that the novelty of these characters and pets and wonderful inventions are beginning to wear thin. I don't want to read any more paragraphs that begin with Jondalar saying "Ayla, my Ayla!" and how she was the first, and only, woman that could 'take his all' (reference to the huge size of his 'manhood'). I did enjoy this book but it's becoming a bit hard not to poke fun at all the repeated sex scenes and wonderment from the different peoples that they encounter. I loved the first three books in this series but now everything seems to be repeating on itself. I liked the anti-racist tones of these novels but feel a little uncomfortable at the authors obvious admiration for people that mother-nature has made beautiful/tall/well endowed/blonde/naturally gifted etc. At first we rejoice in these things because Ayla and Jondalar were both given a tough time in previous novels, and we cheered them on. But now in Plains of Passage, they plod along doing the same things and the novelty's wearing thin. But still worth a read. (flip past any paragraphs beginning "Ayla, my Ayla")



2. Wow, this book comes alive with the reading aloud on this book CD. I read the other books in the series but this is so easy to listen to and I can listen at any time.
   I would recomend this book on CD to any one who likes to read but doesn't have the time to.



3. What a mixed group of reviews! This, however, ranked as my favorite in the the series.



4. Who would believe a mini-series about a woman living in the Stone Age could be so fasinating. I for one would not had not a friend insisted I would enjoy these books. I am now reading the fourth book in the series and my friend was on the money. What a wonderful writer.



5. Having read the previous three novels, I was disappointed when I read this one many years ago. It is a very tedious, redundant book with remarkably similar encounters with various tribes along the way.
   
   The good: Auel provides rich scenery (sometimes too rich) for the reader and I like the way that she works artifacts into her novels. In my anthropology, art history and ancient history from college, I was often thrilled to find a "venus" statue that she had described or a mammoth bone dwelling. The tediousness of the book even works for it in a way since you have a huge sense of relief at the end, much as Jondalar and Ayla would have felt, FINALLY!!! There was also a lot of potential with this novel. For characters, I liked S'armuna, Epadoa, Dolando and Joplaya simply because all of them had a chip on their shoulders for one reason or another.
   
   Unfortunately, Auel did not take advantage of it. The conflicts are mild and predictable. There is more telling than showing. Wolf, who is hardly a year old, responds to Ayla with almost perfect obedience. The characters for the most part are eminently suited to their positions. With the exception of Attaroa, there are no leaders who are incompetent or who make mistakes or do anything bad. Ayla in the first three novels made cultural mistakes, got angry and spoke without thinking, and didn't always do things the right way. Now, she always does what is right and Jondalar is there to support her. Her personality has gone.
   
   Also, I find it very incredible that all of these cultures are so similar in their religious beliefs. Auel has put a lot of effort into the Sharamudoi and Mamutoi culture, but hasn't given them any spiritual independence. All worship The Mother, all have First Rites, all accept women leaders in some form or another, it is very incredulous to believe that these people were so similar

5 comments about The Valley of Horses.

1. Auel used all her talent in her first novel, "The Clan of the Cave Bear". This book, and the others after it, follow the same formula. Mary Sue character meets Gary Stu. Mary Sue is gorgeous, intelligent, gorgeous, resourceful, gorgeous, tough, gorgeous, courageous, gorgeous, kind, gorgeous, loving, and gorgeous. Gary Stu, equally gorgeous, is also very well hung, as the book reminds us constantly.
   
   The books go even further into fantasyland as the series progresses, with Ayla Mary Sue given more and more amazing qualities, so that she achieves near-superhuman status, while Gary Stu Jondalar is, as we all know, very well hung.



2. This is the Sequel from the Clan of the Cave Bear. It takes place in the Paleolithic age. Neanderthals and Cro Magnons share the earth, although not always willingly. Ayla, a young Cro Magnon woman, Has been cast out by the Neanderthal clan who had raised her. She is on a journey to find her own kind. Her travels are scary and lonely. The Author put so much reference material in the story, you can imagine Ayla searching for edible plants and hunting small game animals.
   
   On another part of the continent, 2 young Cro Magnon Men are on a journey of their own. They meet many people along the way and learn many languages while having great adventures.
   
   A chance meeting brings Ayla to encounter the 2 men in a tragic event that changes all of their lives.
   
   I loved reading this book. I could relate to Ayla's feelings of loneliness. I appreciated her struggle to survive. I understood her love of animals and her insecurities about herself. This book was a great escape from the problems of modern life. I enjoyed reading about the daily struggles of a people who can appreciate a planet that has so many resources to offer. I would recommend this book to anyone.



3. I was given Clan of the Cave Bear and found it to be a compelling,interesting book. So, I followed up with Valley of the Horses.I can't make it past the first 100 some pages. It is a soap opera type romp through the sex lives of early man. Maybe the people had very little else to do. The diaglog is silly and contrived. I am donating mine to Good Will.



4. I loved this book about the same as the first. Some say that it was unrealistic, too sappy, and Ayla wasn't more like today's progressive woman. I say, that that is kind of the idea. Auel's books are not meant to be taken as factual. Much of her research is only to enrich the story - a made up story. The religions and social order of the people in her books can only be assumed. Why not make it mystical. I totally enjoyed reading this book. Though, I admit, the first half is slower than the rest, I was still captivated by the loneliness of Ayla, her inevitable ability to invent, her constant discovery of who she was. I couldn't wait for Jondalar to meet her and show her the deep kind of bond she could not have ever known with the clan. He showed her and taught her so much and she to him, that they became like a supercouple. More advanced than any human on earth. They conflicted due to differences in culture and ways of communicating that the tension between them was so unbearable I had to read read read nonstop until it was finally satisfyingly released. Anyone who has ever been through the bliss of new love will surely appreciate the bond and expressions of that love between Ayla and Jondalar. I cried out of happiness for both characters, particularly Ayla as she was lifted out of the recurring darkness her life had always been. Don't go in reading this book thinking you're going to learn all about how people were back then, go in for the story, and happen to learn a little along the way. Enjoy!



5. I couldn't even get halfway through this one because Ayla's character just becomes too ridiculous to believe. Clan of the Cave Bear was a decent book, but this sequel finds her inventing and discovering so many more things completely on her own that the plot loses all credibility. Between CotCB and the first half of this book, she:
   
   Discovers the connection between sex and pregnancy
   Invents the bra
   Becomes the greatest hunter in the Clan and invents the double-stone throwing technique
   Creates weavings, mats, and other wares that *of course* surpass everyone else's
   Invents the hairbrush and the concept of braiding hair
   Domesticates a wild horse, decides to ride it, then turns it into a draft animal after inventing the travois
   Discovers how to make fire from pyrite and flint
   
   And so on. All of this completely on her own. Plus, she's tall, blonde, and perfect with no character flaws. Or any broken bones or illnesses despite living alone for years (because she's a medicine woman, natch). I won't be reading any more of the series, but I wouldn't be surprised if Ayla winds up inventing the wheel, agriculture, aquaducts, and call waiting.
   
   The part of the book I was not prepared for was the sex. I don't read romance novels, and I really didn't want to read a Pleistocene loincloth-ripper. I never did reach the part where Ayla meets Mr. Stud Muffin, but given the three-page description of how he brings a young girl to gasping ecstasy as he ravages her maidenhood, and the constant reminders of his throbbing manhood and chisled good looks, I knew immediately where the book was heading and I gave up in disgust.

No comments about The Mammoth Hunters Part 2 Of 2.

5 comments about Clan of the Cave Bear, The (Earth's Children®) (Earth's Children®).

1. This is an awesome start to a really great series. I'm almost done with the third book, Mammoth Hunters and they've all been really difficult to put down!



2. I loved this book! I finished it in 3 days, I just couldn't put it down. The story traps you immediately, and it deals with subjects such as equality of the sexes and racism. The characters come alive in your mind, and even though some notions are a bit fantastic (like the genetic memory of the Clan), which doesn't make it very credible historically, still the story in itself is enthralling. I can't wait to read the next one!!!



3. This book was very well done. It keep me interested every minute. It was set during early man. It was a chronicle of a young child that lost her family during an earthquake. She was a homosapin taken in by cavemen. It was filled with interesting facts related to communication, man vs woman, customs, tool making, and cavemen vs noncavemen. I could not stop listening. I was so into it I bought the follow up book. This was not a book I would have purchased. A friend recommended it. I am so glad I listened to her.



4. A bit difficult to start. But once I got past the first chapter I was hooked. Pre-History Fiction - never thought I'd enjoy it, never thought I'd read it. Jean Auel did a wonderful job with her vivid writing style; just what I need to get through any book. Loved it!



5. I learned a lot about herbs and what they were used for ..loved the honesty and overall good characters in the book

No comments about Mammoth Hunter.

1 comments about The Clan Of The Cave Bear Part 1 Of 2.

1. I was very skeptical when deciding to read this book because I was intimidated on the thickness of it. Once I started there was no stopping my crazed thirst to finish the book. There is so much detail and knowledge in the surroundings and the characters it's like you're part of the book. I would definitely reccommend it to anyone.

No comments about The Plains Of Passage - Part 2 Of 2.

No comments about The Plains Of Passage Part 1 Of 2.

5 comments about Mammoth Hunters, The (Earth's Children®) (Earth's Children®).

1. I just don't understand why this book is getting bad reviews. It's part three and so I've taken parts one and two into account. Part one was so full of misery for the main character (Ayla) and Auel balances this up by having a book of misery for her partner Jondalar. Also, in this book she gets some reward for the misery she has suffered in previous books. Her partnership with Jondalar is threatened by Ranec who is, like him or not, a great character. As is Frebec, Talut, Rydag, Mamut etc. So many full and rich characters that Auel weaves about brilliantly. There is a great sexual part of their culture (first rites) that I have debated with friends about, i.e. would it be good/bad for virgins to not just lose their virginity to experienced lovers, but to be taught how to do it well. Issues of racism are also explored without being too didactic. It's received some criticism from previous reviewers for Ayla being too good to be true but remember...this is fantasy; Gods are spoken of as influencing lives in terms of it being reality by the author- not just religeon. I think this book is immense in every sense of the word and one of the best books I have ever read.



2. Many reviews have already been written about this book, I'll just add that Jean Auel has done a good job of maintaining the fictional prehistoric world. I especially enjoy reading about the food, clothing, and rituals. I know it's pure fiction, but its still fun to enter that world.



3. i really like the way that the package got here in a reasonalbe amount of time. it was also ready for me to listen to when i got it



4. The Mammoth Hunters is the third installment in Jean Auel's Earth Children saga. It is an excellent addition to anyone's library.



5. I'm enjoying this audio book very much. It's the 3rd in the series, and is as good as the two previous books.