I just finished reading the most recent novel by Jean M. Auel, The Land of Painted Caves, and decided to review the entire series of six novels…all of them excellent.
In early 1982 a friend and I attended a Romance Writers seminar at Cerritos College in Norwalk, California. Several published authors each gave a presentation to the large crowd, and at the end they called for questions.
The first question was whether any of them thought there would be a glut of knock-off books copying the success of The Clan of the Cave Bear. I had yet to hear of it, but it seemed like everyone else in attendance already had. The authors were there to promote their own romance novels, but The Clan of the Cave Bear stole the show, and Jean Auel wasn’t even present. The audience buzzed with excitement over that book and I knew I had to read it.
As soon as the seminar ended, I went after a paperback copy of The Clan of the Cave Bear and couldn’t put it down. I was hooked from the first page where a five-year-old girl experiences the earth shake and finds herself orphaned and alone. Jean Auel’s interpretation of life among Neanderthals as experienced by Ayla, a Cro-Magnon child, kept me enthralled.
I have since purchased a hardbound copy to keep with the rest of her series on Earth’s Children. If you haven’t read The Clan of the Cave Bear yet, do so. I’ve read it more than once. When you finish it, move on to my favorite, The Valley of Horses.
I strongly recommend the entire series of six novels that follow the exploits, discoveries and accomplishments of the beautiful and brave Ayla of The Clan of the Cave Bear. The next five books include her equally handsome and brave mate, Jondalar. An exciting read!
—Gail Lewis
Product Details:
Hardcover: 373 pages
Language: English
Publisher: Crown Publishers, Inc (2001)
ISBN-10: 2702868908
ISBN-13: 978-2702868904
ASIN: B000SKZ56Q
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