The Clan of the Cave Bear, Part 1 of 2

Earth's Children #1 part 1/2

by Jean M. Auel, Donada Peters (Narrator)

Part One Of Two Parts

It is 30,000 years ago, the final Ice Age of the Pleistocene Epoch. The earth is peopled by Neanderthals -- squat, bow-legged, nonverbal, they live in clans, exist by foraging, and are ruled by taboos. The Cro-Magnons, the people who will replace them, are just emerging.

When an earthquake destroys a Cro-Magnon dwelling, they tame the prairie, to the sudden fortune of a lucky few.

"A ripping yarn...a gorgeous piece of work." (Saturday Review of Literature)

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical, Fantasy, Anthropology, Prehistoric

Audio Cassette

About the author

Jean Marie Auel is an American writer who wrote the Earth's Children books, a series of novels set in prehistoric Europe that explores human activities during this time, and touches on the interactions of Cro-Magnon people with Neanderthals. Her books have sold more than 45 million copies worldwide.

Reviews

[Renee Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

The reason this fictional novel is so absorbing is because it's meticulously researched. The author spent time with survivalists, botanists, anthropologists, etc., and if transported into prehistoric times could probably not only survive but assimilate and flourish with the indigenous population! Armed with expert knowledge, she then adds brilliant imagination and character development together to create a story you buy into completely. She creates a immersive culture complete with an involved faith and belief system. Small details about the language of the clan make it unbelievably rich. Since the world and inhabitants are our own, and not some sci-fi make believe, it's even easier to get lost in the novel. It's a novel that will engage a non-reader as easily a bookworm, and it's hard to leave it mentally to go about your day. You'll find yourself thinking about it while going about your own tasks, and it'll be on your own "all-time favorites" shelf, too.
However, I have a word of warning. Because she planned a book series, the end of book one is no real end. You are left without closure, and dying to move to book two. But, fellow reader, just stop there and enjoy the fact that she wrote so well to leave you longing. For this author is a one-hit-wonder. The following novel is just a formulaic romance novel. And your questions about the characters you so wanted to follow are never, ever answered, no matter how many Earth's Children books you read. So read The Clan of the Cave Bear, and buy it in hardback, because you will reread this one! Then move on.

[Terri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this series. Ayla and I spent several months together.

[Nina Foster · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was amazing! I loved and cared about all of the characters and plan to follow them on more of their journeys.

[Kitty Sutton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have found that Jean Auel has been instrumental in helping me to appreciate the pre-history that pre dated our Native American tribes. His fiction based on archaeological findings is presented in such a way that you never know you are learning something very important. All of Jean's books are that way and I value every one. I have tried to read every one of Jean's books and have come away with a better knowledge of history and pre history than I ever learned in school with little or no pain of boredom whatsoever. I only wish to emulate Jean's excellent style in my own books. Kitty Sutton

[Deena Thomson · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED this book. I have read it about 4 times. It is my fav of the series. LOVE IT!

[Prudence · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great series

[Nos v knížkách · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pravěk pro mě před přečtením tohoto dílu série Děti země nebyl tak moc zajímavý, jako jiná období.
Ale tohle bylo tak skvělé! Rozjezd příběhu je pomalejší, ale potom to už jde rychle (obvykle třeba jedno období v roce vyšlo na jednu dvě kapitoly), knihy jsou neuvěřitelně čtivě napsané a dozvídáme se, jak fungovala tlupa, kdo zaujímal jaké postavení, že ženy byly vždycky považovány za něco míň, autorka poutavě popisovala spojení s duchovním světem a jak se v jejím příběhu lidé stavěli k rození dětí, “ženské kletbě”, smrti, rozmnožování atd.

Hlavní hrdinka Ajla mi přišla fajn, líbilo se mi, že přestože byla v tlupě cizinka a měla svoji hlavu, naučila se být poslušná a taky většinou nedělala zbytečné drama - nestala se ale ovcí, která by poslouchala bez přemýšlení .

Konec mě překvapil a mám v plánu si brzy přečíst další díly.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read about this book in an online FB group, historic fiction readers. This was a page turner for me. I read it non-stop. Bogged down a bit for the last 100 pages. I read the synopsis of the sequel The Valley of Horses, won't read it because Wikipedia synopsis was a spoiler, it told the entire story. Darn! But I understand from friends who read it long ago, this is the best written of the series, so on to other books in my stack. There are actually five or six books i the series "Earth's Children". The time period fascinates me.

[Paula · Rating 3 out of 5]

I remember being glued to the book when it first came out. This time around, not so much. It was clunky writing & so filled with anthropological & historical details that the story was buried at times. Still, it was an interesting idea.

[Zeidy D'Eve · Rating 5 out of 5]

Totally engrossing. I know many liberties were taken by supposition- how could it not being our incomplete knowledge of this period of prehistoric social and interaction norms. That said best book I have read in many years. Highly recommended!

[DaphneW · Rating 4 out of 5]

What fun to re-read this oldie but goodie! I had forgotten how great it feels to be taken back to this world.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stuck with me for a long time. Love it.

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

First half of book very slow then it picked up -

[Robin Costic · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the tale and appreciated thinking about the evolution of the people and their customs.

[Susie Donnett · Rating 1 out of 5]

Want to read it

[Rebecca Lloyd · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story! (and am eager to read Part 2) It was a nice departure from current times and filled with lots of action and emotion. Though long, it's definitely worth the time.

[Amy]

Didn't like, and didn't finish. Didn't have a story line, just narrated about the culture.

[Mia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't much care for the audio version of this book. In fact I DNF but did re-read the book.

[MaxOp · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enjoyable-- love the entire series. The way inwhich Jean M Auel transport the reader into the life, and contrasts, of Neanderthals and modern man, along with the painting of the topographical landscape, is breathtaking.

[Allison Frost · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this! Very interesting and it read well. I would recommend it

[Theresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! Hooked right away! This is a story that stays with you forever. Plan to read them all.

[-t r · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Earth's Children series is wonderful. Truly historic novels - of prehistory. Wonderful character development, descriptions (detailed without being Michener-eseque), and taught storylines create excellent novels - for the first 3. After that, it's sex and travel.
I read these books for the first time as an early teen (11-12?, something like that); rereading them not only gives me a different viewpoint into the history, the detailed relationships that develop, and the true meaning of family that Auel develops through both Ayla's and Jondalar's adventures; reading them also takes me back to the days where a friend and I, and sometimes a group of friends from the neighborhood, used to "play" Clan of the Cave Bear in the woods across the street from our 'hood.
Worth rereading.

[Brooke Asher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow...this was the first book of the series and i was hooked right away. I have read all of her books in this series...several times many years ago. I am ready to reread. This first one is my least favorite. The basic story line is about Ayla a cromagnon cave woman who is lost from her family when she is very little and is found an brought up by some neanderthal people. Since she is different from them, she is looked down upon. I liked reading about the ancient society and how she survives with these people who think she is ugly and different.

[Barbara M · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to this on audio while painting the inside of my new pantry addition. Obviously it made an impression since I even remember what I was doing at the time. I really enjoyed the book. I think I read the second in the series but perhaps not, so I'm not putting it in here. The book was well thought out and well written. I know lots of people who are great fans of the author. (Although this shows 1 of 2, I did listen to both part of the book which was broken down into 2 packages for the sake of the cassette box at the library)

[Linda Paupst · Rating 5 out of 5]

Life changing. An insight into the life and lives of prehistoric 'earth children'. Loved the series - Valley of the Horses, Mammoth Hunters, etc. These 'cave' men and women were just like us with loves, hate, jealousy, heartbreak, curiosity, some with dignity, some with none. The series is a mammoth historical and literary marvel. I don't recall exactly when I read them, but they were memorable and awesome.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought that this was a wonderful book. I do, however, already have an interest in how humans evolved, with primitive living, herbal medicines and realistic fantasies, so I might be a bit biased. I thought that this book was very well written, though, and could easily capture the attention and imagination of someone who didn't already have those interests. I am looking forward to reading The Valley of Horses soon.

[Lina · Rating 1 out of 5]

So I know this series was popular a few decades ago, but I wasn't interested in it. Not long ago a friend recommended it, so I thought I'd give it a try. After about 100 pages, guess what? I'm still not interested, and since there are a half dozen books stacked up in my to read pile, I'm saying goodbye to the cave dwellers.

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I first read this as a teenager and loved it. A second reading almost 20 years later did not produce the same feelings, though the story is okay. I didn't really care for all the detail about plants and such: parts seemed too encyclopedic. I also thought there was too much repetition.

[Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've heard about this book for a looong time, and my daughter's read the whole series repeatedly. I didn't expect it to be very good, but it's very well written, a really good story, and the ending leaves you screaming, "NOOOOOOO!" Now I'll have to read The Valley of the Horses--but when?

[Fawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved stepping back in time and getting to know Alya and watch her grow and see her strenght. so many emotions will run through you as you read this story and the ending leaves you eager to jump into the next book