Book Reviews of The Clan of the Cave Bear

[i]The Clan of the Cave Bear[/i] is the first in Jean Auel’s [i]Earth’s Children[/i] series, and it’s an exciting way to begin. The book is a coming-of-age story for a young girl, Ayla, living during the Ice Age who is orphaned during an Earthquake. Ayla is adopted by The Clan of the Cave Bear, although she clearly is not “Clan,” as she looks, acts, and communicates very differently. The story is clearly a work of fantasy, as there are obvious factual inaccuracies; however, the quality of Auel’s writing makes it easy to become absorbed in the story and forget reality.

Ayla’s tale is on of moving from childhood to adulthood, Auel masterfully weaves vivid details about the setting, while keeping the reader engaged in the plot. Each character in the novel goes through his or her own individual struggle because of Ayla’s difference, yet because of the Auel’s writing style, it is easy for the reader to understand why each character is faced with difficult choices, rather than automatically siding with the main character. There is also depth to the descriptions that Auel uses, which makes it easy to understand the love between Ayla and her adopted parents—Creb and Iza—the intensity of Broud’s hatred toward Ayla, and the heart wrenching pain that is inflicted upon her.

Overall, the book is a fairly easy, but very captivating read.

This book is so good I could not put it down, had to read it nonstop in a weekend-just to see what happens in the clan next! This writer is like you are really there living in this clan with these people. Now I know after resting my eyes and getting a few chores done-that in the next 2 days I will be drawn to the 2nd book in the series. Written in a seriously compelling way and the rich descriptive narrative ,the most enjoyable reading. Wow!!!!

I read a lot of books and this was one of my favorites. The story stays with you for many years. It is rich in detail of how the earth was after the ice age. The rest of the books have great discriptions also. All in all, it's a great series of one woman's struggles and journey to find her people.

This has been on TBR for over ten years as a book I felt I "should" read sooner or later. A recent PBS conversation convinced me to finally pick it up and I'm SO GLAD I did!! I loved it! I don't know what I expected. Probably a slow nearly-documentary of cave people shuffling thru the forest, stalking saber tooth tigers or some such thing. It was not anything of the sort. I was caught up almost immediately by the rich characters and intricate relationships. 5 stars!

This is a great book. Like most books which have sequels, it is better than the sequels. It's definately not "G" rated, but overall the plot and character development is some of the best I've seen.

best series I have ever read

great series

Excellent book, perhaps the best book I've ever read. I so wanted the second book to be as good, but it wasn't, in my opinion. The first one was fabulous though, full of detail and descriptions, social relationships, and the power of love and hatred.

Interesting. Very good research!

It was great. Another family member is currently reading it....

Great book, great series!

This is a great book.

The best book in the whole series. Reading about Ayla and how she copes with being abandoned is a wonderful story. The parts discussing the making and usage of tools as well as the art of crafts delighted and enlightened me. I wish the others had been along the same vein, story plus insights into the culture and rituals of the tribes.

I have read hundreds and hundreds of books over the years, yet I have not found a single heroine that I love and identify with more than Ayla. She is breathtakingly beautiful (though she doesn't know it), courageous, smart, and a woman way ahead of her time. I love that she tries to fit in with the clan, but constantly questions the rules and beliefs of the society that surround her. The accuracy and detail of the landscape and spiritual beliefs, bring this story to life. The reader feels as if they are immersed in a prehistoric world and a participant in the story, instead of a bystander. The Earth Children's series gets marks that are off the chart! Jean M. Auel is in a class entirely to herself. I have read this series probably 5 or 6 times over the years and each time I pick it up, its like reading it for the first time.

For those of you that watched the movie... it does not do this book justice.

**I'm offering all 5 books in the series for 2 credits**



This story is set way back to the dawn of modern humans.
A young girl named Ayla's journey begins here when, after an earth quake and a lion attack she is found near death by the clan of the cave bear. Her life is a challenge since she is of the Others and not clan but this girl has a power all her own. She must learn clan ways and survive the abuse of a jellous young man who will one day be leader.

This is the first book in the Earth's Children Series.

Not a big fan, I found hard to read at times.

Theres to much discriptive sex in it. i read the 1st book when i was 10 and loved it. I wont ever read it again because of that reason though. Im a firm believe that if you wouldnt let you children read it, than you shouldnt eather.

Excellent. IT kept me totally entertained.

amazing storyline, and well written, but long winded.

I LOVE THESE BOOKS... This book is the first one of the series.

It was good, although at some points it dragged a bit

The first book in Jean M. Auels series of the Earth Children, Ayla a child of about 5 is found by the Clan people (cave dellers) and raised as there own. She was beautiful and blonde and they looked like cave people of old. I don't want to write more it would ruin the story, sorry.

This is the first book of several about how human beings may have been in the beginning. It centers on the life of a girl, but also covers as much as possible on the different groups of people of that time.

My edition ha a different cover but it sure is the same book - PAPERBACK

The first book in the Earth's Children series. This series is well researched. It will open your eyes to the condition of cavemen and let you know that they were not near animals, but fulling functioning human beings.

More than that, this is a great saga. It follows a little girl from the time she lost her tribe, thru growing up with a strange clan to being reunited with her kind. This first book chronicles her years from about five to fourteen or so. It is very good reading.

This is a very descriptive book. It started out a bit slow but picked up and by the end, I couldn't put it down. Reading about caveman times made me appreciate that I was born in the 20th century!

Classic! Should be on everyone's book list to read.

Great book

I picked this out of my wife's book pile and really enjoyed reading it

My 5th grade teacher recommended this and The Valley of Horses to our entire class in 1985. I borrowed them from my mom; I was the only one in class to attempt them after seeing how long they are. I have read the entire series every few years since then. This book is the best of the Earth's Children series so far.

The first in the Earth children Series

A great story. I would have never expected to enjoy fiction set in caveman times!

Great book! The first in this 5 book saga.

Book also contains a sixteen page preview of THE PLAINS OF PASSAGE. Cover differs from the one provided.

From Amazon.com
"When her parents are killed by an earthquake, 5-year-old Ayla wanders through the forest completely alone. Cold, hungry, and badly injured by a cave lion, the little girl is as good as gone until she is discovered by a group who call themselves the Clan of the Cave Bear. This clan, left homeless by the same disaster, have little interest in the helpless girl who comes from the tribe they refer to as the "Others." "Imaginative, exciting."
--The New York Times Book Review

"Jean Auel has performed a minor miracle."
--San Francisco Chronicle

I read this at age 12 - my husband read it at age 25. We both loved it, and I think you will too!

#1 National Bestseller. A stunning epic that stirred the imagination of millions.
"Here is a novel of awesome beauty and power. A moving saga about people, relationships and the boundaries of love. Through Jean Auel's magnificent storytelling, we are taken back to the dawn of mankind and swept up in the wonderful world of a very special heroine, Ayla. Her enthralling story is one we all can share. A natural disaster has left young Ayla alone, wandering, fending for herself in an unfamiliar land. One day, she is discovered by the Clan of the Cave Bear, men and women far different from her own people. The tall blond, blue-eyed Ayla is a mysterious stranger to the Clan and at first they mistrust her and cast her out. But as she grows to know them and to learn the ways of the Clan, she is welcomed. And as she leads them in their struggle for survival, the Clan comes to worship Ayla. For in her blood flows the future of humanity."

I enjoyed the book - it is well written and I would read it again.

VERY GOOD TOO.

I really enjoyed this book, facinating story.

The first book of a wonderful series (also stands alone as a good read all by itself).

The stunnign epic that stirred the imagination of millions.

A story about the earliest days of mankind

It's okay....a little "out there"...

First in the EArth Children's series. Discusses the dawn of modern humans in the Ice Age by relating the story of a young girl and the family who adopt her.

I really enjoyed this book and have read the rest of the series. Really enjoyable story.

If you love epic hostory books as I do, you will love this book. Jean Auel, is an excellent author who makes you fall in love with her charcters and get wrapped up in the story. A real page turner. Note: My copy has a different cover than the one shown.

Loved all the series

this is a second copy. I've heard a lot about this advanterous sage and decided to share it with another reader.
It was never read, therefore, it is in excellent condition

I enjoyed this entire series. The book I have has the old cover.

The best of this series. Different cover on this copy.

NC-17 rating, not for kids!

Cover is different than pictured.