THE VALLEY OF HORSES by Jean M. Auel

Of Jean M. Auel’s six novels in her Earth’s Children series, The Valley of Horses is my favorite.  

This novel introduces, Jondalar, the tall, handsome Cro-Magnon man who becomes Ayla’s mate. He is the first non-Neanderthal human she sees since the loss of her family in an earthquake as a child.

After being cast out by the Neanderthal Clan that rescued her at age five, now as a young woman Ayla is forced to survive on her own.  Her survival alone in a valley is both touching and exciting. Her adoption of Whinny, a hay-colored steppe horse foal, and later a cave lion cub, are fascinating and heartwarming. But, it is her introduction to her people, their language and to the love of her life that makes this book so special.

Experience a time when Neanderthals and Cro-Magnon man both shared the earth.  See how domesticating animals may have started. View ways Cro-Magnon man could have evolved, learned and shared his early discoveries.  Fall in love with Jean Auel’s wonderful characters, Ayla and Jondalar.

Ms. Auel has created a world full of family and religious customs based on relics of the past. She makes it believable and highly enjoyable. I thoroughly recommend The Valley of Horses to anyone who hasn’t read it yet. But, even though this second book is the best of the best, read The Clan of the Cave Bear first to get the maximum amount of pleasure.  

—Gail Lewis

Product Details:
Hardcover: 512 pages
Language: English
Publisher: Crown Publishers, Inc.
ISBN-10: 0609610988
ISBN-13: 978-0609610985