I was gifted the fourth book by mistake one Christmas. A few chapters in, I realized it had to be part of a series, so I got my hands on the first book from the library. It was definitely an eye opener for a fifth grader. Pretty much got all my sex education from this series, haha. It was also the first book that made me cry.
You'd be surprised how many anthropologist and palaeoanthropologists got into their field after reading this book. It has inspired so many people me included.
I have a professor that is highly respected paleontologist, and he said that Jean M. Auel did fantastic research for her books. She showed up to actual paleontological meetings and conferences and took notes for her books.
I first read Clan of the Cave Bear in 1988 and it inspired my to change my choice of degree from English to Archaeology. It is a thoroughly immersive book, very vivid, and I don't mind admitting that the detailed descriptions of the herbal medicine led to my studying plant-based medicine as well. I never got past the Plains of Passage, but have just started re-reading the series, and am about to start the Shelters of Stone. I enjoyed the first two books in particular - probably because they appeal strongly to my introverted nature, and it's pretty much Ayla against the whole world for much of this pair of books.
This series changed my life! The first three books were the amazing. The last one ripped my heart out and stomped on it. I'm not completely over that yet lol.
When I was sixteen (I'm 25 now) one of my teachers gave me this series for my birthday because she figured it'd be something I'd enjoy and I never had the chance to properly read them. I remember reading several chapters and really enjoying it but I had to put it aside due to exam season and life in general and I just kind of forgot about them till this video. I just went to look for them and surprisingly enough, i still have them lol. So thank you so much for reminding me of them and for igniting my interest in reading them! ♡☆
One of my favorite series's of all time; just wait til you read the other books! I used to read them to my mother and now I am listening to the audioversions on scribd. Fact: Jean M. Auel studied present day primitive societies such as the native north and south Americans, the Sami of Finland, the Maori of New Zealand, the Ainu of northern Japan, the aborigines of Australia and the Inuits of northern Siberia and Canada.
I read these and the third book The Mammouth Hunters years ago before I was aware of any more being available and enjoyed them at the time. Your mention of Whinney and Baby made me smile as I loved when they came into Ayla's life too. A re-read may be in order as well as completing the series.
My like was 125, that's my birthday! Must mean something... ;) I remember my dad reading these books when I was a kid (80s) and I've wondered what they were like. Now as an old guy I think I' should read them. Thanks!
I've read the entire series several times. They are absolutely fabulous and inspiring. I sincerely hope that it becomes adapted to film, and paid more justice than the previous movie.
I remember my mom having this series when I was a kid. I read the first two back then but could not really get into them, though I remember giggling at the romance scenes. Now I wonder if I should go and read them again, now that I'm actually in the demographic these books are aimed at. Your opinions are always so well articulated, love it. :)
Love these books so much, read them back in the early 90s. Though I did not read the last two till some years later I always felt book four finished it of perfectly for me. I’m now reliving these wonderful books as the audio series and loving experiencing them again in a slightly different way and more so I think than ever...
These books changed my life. I have read the ENTIRE 6 book series 3 times. And they are LOOOOONG books. I have recommended them to several friends and actually bought several of them as gifts. Some are like you were and haven't read them yet. But the ones who have read them have thanked me profusely for introducing them to this series. My all time favorite books. Bar none!
I read these a long long time ago and devoured the whole series. Many moons later I ordered the whole series. I love the new covers and want to reread the series!
I'm so glad you enjoyed the first and the second. I only have the last book to read and I'm stalling because I don't want the series to end lol. can't wait to hear of the third book!
Read the series about 10 years ago and enjoyed the first couple books better than the last couple. I'm re-reading Clan of the Cave Bear again right now!! Ayla is practicing with the sling weapon.
I used to be in middle school when I read them. It was my parent's and they thought I'd like it so hey here some reading for you my daughter. Needless to say that I was blown away. I can't even count how many times I read the first and the second books of the series, it really left a print on me. However the following books were really... long and boring to me. Maybe I should give them a chance again. I'm not 13 anymore, I'm 23 so I might perceive some things differently. But yeah, I'm not a huge book reader, not anymore at least, but I was never able to forget these two books !
The series is soooo good! I just do not know why I stopped some years ago in the middle of part three ... I have to reread them. Did you heard of the movie, they've made out of part one? It's special, but I think it's a quite good adaption.
You make ma want to reread whole series. I loved it so much - oh so many years ago when I first read it.. (i believe it's over 15 years now since I've read those books) I remember amazing characters, lovely story and way to much emphasis on sex :P
I wonder how the perception of these books being considered as childrens books happened? I read it when I was young and it was my first introduction to rape which was jarring. Then as I read further into the later books with the sexy times that was shocking for me too lol! This was of course pre-internet/amazon/Goodreads and my parents would not have let me read these if they had known! Love the sign language and totem pieces to this story. They are some of my favorite books I read growing up, which really those earlier books become a part of the fabric of your being I think.
Actually, per-internet this book was on the banned book list, it was definitely not a books meant for kids... probably why a lot of teenagers wanted to read it :)
Honestly I have read this whole series of books in the early to the mid 90's. They are a very good series of books. Sure I can blame my former for having read them but hey good things come from good times. Ayla is an excellent main character and the series is more than worth a good read.
Spoiler alert comment... I read all the books except the last one. It got low ratings because there was no re union ( people that have read the book know who I'm talking about.) and people were soooo mad and bummed. Yeah, I rather not read it. I would feel the same.
Like others have said, I loved the first few books. Not sure where I stopped by they felt a bit forced, like she'd been told the book had to be a certain length. The story really dragged at times. But what I did read I enjoyed for the most part :)
I read this series several years ago and absolutely loved it. Clan of the Cave Bear is definitely my favourite in the series but the following three are also great books. Unfortunately book 5, The Shelters of Stone didn't live unto the rest of the series, it seemed as if Auel was just writing to fill a quota which was disappointing. I hope you enjoy the rest of the series as it really is fantastic overall xx
katie reads I kind of feel like that with the last two books. Shelters of Stone and Land of Painted Caves. They lacked the adventure I loved in the first 4 books.
It would give away crucial plot if I wrote it here:/ Let's just say the relationship between Ayla and Jondalar, and also a loose end from the first book that never was resolved broke my heart. I thought we would see some kind of resolution to relationship she left behind. It was hinted at a couple of times (or so I thought) but never delivered on. The repetition you mention was an issue. I found myself skimming long passages because I'd read it before if you know what I mean. But truly, book 1-3 were amazing.
Author Beth Hammond oh i had forgotten about that. Yes, i thought that issue would get resolved throughout the series, but it never did. I think if i had to pick an favourite, i'd pick book 2. I love how she grows into that fantastic strong woman
It has been a few years since I read the series. They were good reads, but the cynic in me was distracted by the modern 80's feminist ideals that were portrayed in the later books. All romance books have the plot device/trope of 2 people attracted to each other, but either their own maturity level wont let them express it, or wacky circumstances interrupt conversation. Auell uses different cultures & communication techniques create this in an interesting way. They are basically "Mary Sue" romances set in prehistoric times. This is not a bad thing as the story is well told.
I read book 1 and book 2 .....some things were really great....but it seems to me it has supernatural elements....for example: a kind of mind meld or telekinese ability of the shaman Creb.....it seems to me it is more like a fantasy novel .... I want read more realistic stone age novels....
markus30musik it’s making a resurgence, you’ll see some novels and stories based on that subject matter soon enough; interest is rising in extinct hominids
Jean IS a talented author. She can write anyway she wishes and she IS verbose. Book3 is got only 1 flaw, which returns later in the series, as well. Jondalar is portrayed as an idiot whom cannot communicate basic emotions. Yes, my opinion. His lack of ability to say the most basic things detracted from my experience. Book6 suffers this same bullshit. 95% of Jean's writing is amazingly inspired, but I would liked to have seen this behavior from other characters in her books. She builds integrity with Ayla and Jondalar and then sacrifices it later(book6) and during(book3) for illustration. I realize this is HER prerogative; it detracted from my experience.
Hard to believe that someone actually thought they could effectively make this into a movie. Waaaaayy too much detail. Daryl Hannah did her best but still..
I saw the horrible movie as a child when it came out, then read the first two books as a teenager in the 90s. Thanks to seeing the movie first, I've always pictured Ayla looking like Daryl Hannah. Oh well, it's accurate. I love the first two and The Mammoth Hunters, and quite enjoyed The Plains of Passage. Shelters of Stone was a real chore to get through, and Land of Painted Caves...my God, what an atrocity. The whole damn book is descriptions of caves and paintings, and The Mother's Song (or whatever it's called, I've probably blocked it from my memory as a coping mechanism). I don't know WHAT Ms. Auel was thinking with that one. To anyone who was as disappointed in the last two books as I was (which has to be anyone who's read them), you must read The Sacred Mountain. It's fanfiction, but better than the last two books combined, and then some. It's pretty fantastic. I actually forgot that it wasn't really written by Jean Auel as I was reading it.
I read the first four books in “ The Earth Children series” and they were good. However do not bother with book five and six in the series they are terribly
You describe the book as fantasy. It really isn't. Historical fiction with a large dab of poetic license would be closer to the truth. You might call it historical fantasy ala Guy Gavriel Kay's stuff but I wouldn't really agree with that either. It is historical fiction with some wild flights of fancy thrown in by a very hit and miss writer. I sure you will see how hit and miss the author is the further you get in the series. But as bad as it gets, I have never read a series I enjoyed more.
After "Plains of passage" book four in the series it really becomes crappy and stupid. The last two books in the series should not be read if you want to enjoy it all .
I was gifted the fourth book by mistake one Christmas. A few chapters in, I realized it had to be part of a series, so I got my hands on the first book from the library. It was definitely an eye opener for a fifth grader. Pretty much got all my sex education from this series, haha. It was also the first book that made me cry.
You'd be surprised how many anthropologist and palaeoanthropologists got into their field after reading this book. It has inspired so many people me included.
I have a professor that is highly respected paleontologist, and he said that Jean M. Auel did fantastic research for her books. She showed up to actual paleontological meetings and conferences and took notes for her books.
I heard the opposite from anthropologists.
my mom named me after this book, my name is ayla and im still reading the first one lol
How cool!
I named my beautiful blond cocker spaniel Ayla (may she rest in peace) What a beautiful name you have!!
I first read Clan of the Cave Bear in 1988 and it inspired my to change my choice of degree from English to Archaeology. It is a thoroughly immersive book, very vivid, and I don't mind admitting that the detailed descriptions of the herbal medicine led to my studying plant-based medicine as well. I never got past the Plains of Passage, but have just started re-reading the series, and am about to start the Shelters of Stone. I enjoyed the first two books in particular - probably because they appeal strongly to my introverted nature, and it's pretty much Ayla against the whole world for much of this pair of books.
This series changed my life! The first three books were the amazing. The last one ripped my heart out and stomped on it. I'm not completely over that yet lol.
When I was sixteen (I'm 25 now) one of my teachers gave me this series for my birthday because she figured it'd be something I'd enjoy and I never had the chance to properly read them. I remember reading several chapters and really enjoying it but I had to put it aside due to exam season and life in general and I just kind of forgot about them till this video. I just went to look for them and surprisingly enough, i still have them lol. So thank you so much for reminding me of them and for igniting my interest in reading them! ♡☆
One of my favorite series's of all time; just wait til you read the other books! I used to read them to my mother and now I am listening to the audioversions on scribd. Fact: Jean M. Auel studied present day primitive societies such as the native north and south Americans, the Sami of Finland, the Maori of New Zealand, the Ainu of northern Japan, the aborigines of Australia and the Inuits of northern Siberia and Canada.
I read these and the third book The Mammouth Hunters years ago before I was aware of any more being available and enjoyed them at the time. Your mention of Whinney and Baby made me smile as I loved when they came into Ayla's life too. A re-read may be in order as well as completing the series.
I just finished the series last night, officially one of my favorites. I wish there was more, there’s still so much she could explore in this world
My like was 125, that's my birthday! Must mean something... ;) I remember my dad reading these books when I was a kid (80s) and I've wondered what they were like. Now as an old guy I think I' should read them. Thanks!
I've read the entire series several times. They are absolutely fabulous and inspiring. I sincerely hope that it becomes adapted to film, and paid more justice than the previous movie.
I remember my mom having this series when I was a kid. I read the first two back then but could not really get into them, though I remember giggling at the romance scenes.
Now I wonder if I should go and read them again, now that I'm actually in the demographic these books are aimed at.
Your opinions are always so well articulated, love it. :)
Love these books so much, read them back in the early 90s. Though I did not read the last two till some years later I always felt book four finished it of perfectly for me. I’m now reliving these wonderful books as the audio series and loving experiencing them again in a slightly different way and more so I think than ever...
These books changed my life. I have read the ENTIRE 6 book series 3 times. And they are LOOOOONG books. I have recommended them to several friends and actually bought several of them as gifts. Some are like you were and haven't read them yet. But the ones who have read them have thanked me profusely for introducing them to this series. My all time favorite books. Bar none!
I read these a long long time ago and devoured the whole series. Many moons later I ordered the whole series. I love the new covers and want to reread the series!
I'm so glad you enjoyed the first and the second. I only have the last book to read and I'm stalling because I don't want the series to end lol. can't wait to hear of the third book!
Read the series about 10 years ago and enjoyed the first couple books better than the last couple. I'm re-reading Clan of the Cave Bear again right now!! Ayla is practicing with the sling weapon.
I've been eyeing Cave Bear for a while and will definitely pick it up soon. Such a great review!
Thank you! I'm starting this series today!
I used to be in middle school when I read them. It was my parent's and they thought I'd like it so hey here some reading for you my daughter. Needless to say that I was blown away. I can't even count how many times I read the first and the second books of the series, it really left a print on me. However the following books were really... long and boring to me. Maybe I should give them a chance again. I'm not 13 anymore, I'm 23 so I might perceive some things differently.
But yeah, I'm not a huge book reader, not anymore at least, but I was never able to forget these two books !
The series is soooo good! I just do not know why I stopped some years ago in the middle of part three ... I have to reread them. Did you heard of the movie, they've made out of part one? It's special, but I think it's a quite good adaption.
You make ma want to reread whole series. I loved it so much - oh so many years ago when I first read it.. (i believe it's over 15 years now since I've read those books) I remember amazing characters, lovely story and way to much emphasis on sex :P
+Anna that's about right 😁
Oh gosh! I read these back in the early 90s when I was in high school. Now I'm feeling inspired to reread. Thanks!
+Books and Sundry I'm glad I have more to go :)
I wonder how the perception of these books being considered as childrens books happened? I read it when I was young and it was my first introduction to rape which was jarring. Then as I read further into the later books with the sexy times that was shocking for me too lol! This was of course pre-internet/amazon/Goodreads and my parents would not have let me read these if they had known! Love the sign language and totem pieces to this story. They are some of my favorite books I read growing up, which really those earlier books become a part of the fabric of your being I think.
Actually, per-internet this book was on the banned book list, it was definitely not a books meant for kids... probably why a lot of teenagers wanted to read it :)
This is my favourite series of all time since i was about 17 im late 30s now the first two books are the best
Honestly I have read this whole series of books in the early to the mid 90's. They are a very good series of books. Sure I can blame my former for having read them but hey good things come from good times. Ayla is an excellent main character and the series is more than worth a good read.
Just added to my to buy list (the first one) and all see from there 😊 Great review you really made me feel the desire to read this series!
I've literally wanted to read these books for like 7 years omg. Thank you for making me excited to read them again 😂
+Isabeau's Literary Musings I hope you enjoy them like I did Isi! I took a looonng time to get around to them, but they're super interesting and good.
I'm so glad that you're loving the series so far.
Spoiler alert comment... I read all the books except the last one. It got low ratings because there was no re union ( people that have read the book know who I'm talking about.) and people were soooo mad and bummed. Yeah, I rather not read it. I would feel the same.
Like others have said, I loved the first few books. Not sure where I stopped by they felt a bit forced, like she'd been told the book had to be a certain length. The story really dragged at times. But what I did read I enjoyed for the most part :)
I read this series several years ago and absolutely loved it. Clan of the Cave Bear is definitely my favourite in the series but the following three are also great books. Unfortunately book 5, The Shelters of Stone didn't live unto the rest of the series, it seemed as if Auel was just writing to fill a quota which was disappointing. I hope you enjoy the rest of the series as it really is fantastic overall xx
katie reads I kind of feel like that with the last two books. Shelters of Stone and Land of Painted Caves. They lacked the adventure I loved in the first 4 books.
I'm so bad at watching reviews but this was great and the books are officially on my tbr :) And those covers are gorgeous!
+Broken Spines Thank you! Agreed :)
I date stamped the books when I read them . They are dated year 1995. A little tip I got from Stephen King
awesome!!!!! love this series so much.
I loved books 1-4. You can stop reading after those, the series gets. Really long-winded. But that's okay, book 4 ends at auf good point
I think 1-3 were the golden age of the series. The final book made me so angry. I've never had such a reaction to a book.
Author Beth Hammond i actually read them out of order as a kid. I read 2,4,3,1,5,6 lol. What did make you angry?
It would give away crucial plot if I wrote it here:/ Let's just say the relationship between Ayla and Jondalar, and also a loose end from the first book that never was resolved broke my heart. I thought we would see some kind of resolution to relationship she left behind. It was hinted at a couple of times (or so I thought) but never delivered on. The repetition you mention was an issue. I found myself skimming long passages because I'd read it before if you know what I mean. But truly, book 1-3 were amazing.
Author Beth Hammond oh i had forgotten about that. Yes, i thought that issue would get resolved throughout the series, but it never did. I think if i had to pick an favourite, i'd pick book 2. I love how she grows into that fantastic strong woman
I'm with you 100%!
It has been a few years since I read the series. They were good reads, but the cynic in me was distracted by the modern 80's feminist ideals that were portrayed in the later books. All romance books have the plot device/trope of 2 people attracted to each other, but either their own maturity level wont let them express it, or wacky circumstances interrupt conversation. Auell uses different cultures & communication techniques create this in an interesting way. They are basically "Mary Sue" romances set in prehistoric times. This is not a bad thing as the story is well told.
I read book 1 and book 2 .....some things were really great....but it seems to me it has supernatural elements....for example: a kind of mind meld or telekinese ability of the shaman Creb.....it seems to me it is more like a fantasy novel .... I want read more realistic stone age novels....
markus30musik it’s making a resurgence, you’ll see some novels and stories based on that subject matter soon enough; interest is rising in extinct hominids
@@KingGiganTitanusROARKing I have finished today all 6 books.... I like the characters...especially Ayla and her animals.....🙂
@Arthur Laquesis In a stone age novel based of real facts: for me yes
I found Book Five onward quite slow and not as good as the others.
Jean IS a talented author. She can write anyway she wishes and she IS verbose. Book3 is got only 1 flaw, which returns later in the series, as well. Jondalar is portrayed as an idiot whom cannot communicate basic emotions. Yes, my opinion. His lack of ability to say the most basic things detracted from my experience. Book6 suffers this same bullshit. 95% of Jean's writing is amazingly inspired, but I would liked to have seen this behavior from other characters in her books. She builds integrity with Ayla and Jondalar and then sacrifices it later(book6) and during(book3) for illustration. I realize this is HER prerogative; it detracted from my experience.
Hard to believe that someone actually thought they could effectively make this into a movie. Waaaaayy too much detail. Daryl Hannah did her best but still..
I am reading the book "The clan of the cave bear" a second time. It's simply wonderful!!! Five stars!!!
You'll definitely like books 1-4, you'll either love or hate book 5, and the last book will piss you off
my favourite series - have read it many times since i was a teenager. love love love - though the last book was such a disappointment Lx
I saw the horrible movie as a child when it came out, then read the first two books as a teenager in the 90s. Thanks to seeing the movie first, I've always pictured Ayla looking like Daryl Hannah. Oh well, it's accurate. I love the first two and The Mammoth Hunters, and quite enjoyed The Plains of Passage. Shelters of Stone was a real chore to get through, and Land of Painted Caves...my God, what an atrocity. The whole damn book is descriptions of caves and paintings, and The Mother's Song (or whatever it's called, I've probably blocked it from my memory as a coping mechanism). I don't know WHAT Ms. Auel was thinking with that one. To anyone who was as disappointed in the last two books as I was (which has to be anyone who's read them), you must read The Sacred Mountain. It's fanfiction, but better than the last two books combined, and then some. It's pretty fantastic. I actually forgot that it wasn't really written by Jean Auel as I was reading it.
I read the first four books in “ The Earth Children series” and they were good. However do not bother with book five and six in the series they are terribly
You describe the book as fantasy. It really isn't. Historical fiction with a large dab of poetic license would be closer to the truth. You might call it historical fantasy ala Guy Gavriel Kay's stuff but I wouldn't really agree with that either. It is historical fiction with some wild flights of fancy thrown in by a very hit and miss writer. I sure you will see how hit and miss the author is the further you get in the series. But as bad as it gets, I have never read a series I enjoyed more.
After "Plains of passage" book four in the series it really becomes crappy and stupid. The last two books in the series should not be read if you want to enjoy it all .
The first four books were great. The last two are crap