Jean Auel - Earth's Children [Archive]

Michelle

21st July 2005, 12:22

A couple of years ago I discovered Jean M Auel’s ‘Earth Children’ series, starting with Clan of the Cave Bear. Everyone I spoke to afterwards raved about these books, but some one today said that they weren’t very keen.

So, who’s read them, and what did you think?

I think she has a wonderful imagination, and I was able to get right into these ancient worlds. My first criticism was that the sex descriptions were a little too much. Yes, it was important to see how different things were for her with Jondalar, but most could have left to my imagination! Wink

Secondly, by the end of the series, Ayla seemed to be just a little too perfect.. I really wanted to see some flaws!

Anyhow, I’ve just read the first two books again, and am in the middle of the third, so I will revisit this topic if anything else comes to mind.

Debbie

21st July 2005, 15:34

I have read them all, and want to know the end, but the long time between books is a real turn off!

Debbie

Michelle

31st July 2005, 15:30

I've just lent the first one to a friend. She said she's often looked, but never bothered to read. She gave it a try because I said to.. and loved it! :)

So, if anyone has been wondering.. go on, give it a try! :wink:

pageturner30

2nd August 2005, 16:15

jake

8th January 2006, 21:40

Good choice - I have read them all and have even visit some of the sight in the book which are set in south of France and Jordan. Did you know that? Some years ago the geographic museum had a exhibition regarding it all and there were even a talk about a film but I am not to sure about that[/img]

Clan of the Cave Bear was made into a film with Daryl Hannah in the lead role (Ayla) in 1986 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0090848/. I have seen it but can't remember what I thought of it now!

I read a few of the books in the series, but got fed up waiting for the next one to come along. The first one was definitely my favourite overall.

Michelle

8th January 2006, 21:49

I haven't seen the film, but I do recall hearing that it wasn't very good.
I have enjoyed the whole series until now, but agree, the first is by far the best. :)

Kell

9th January 2006, 07:50

I've never read them, but my Mam has read them all over & over. Ooh, & the film is now available on DVD...

Inanna

13th February 2006, 09:07

Have always thought of picking them up so probably will scout the charity shops for a copy and give it a whirl :wink:

jake

13th February 2006, 12:45

I've read them but Clan of the Cave Bear was by far the best for me. I too was put off by the length of time between them.

Sassenach

15th February 2006, 21:31

I've recently completed buying the series, after buying them over the years, but not read any of them. Reading the positive comments here makes me want to get stuck into into them. The only trouble is I have at least a hundred other books I'm desperate to read too!

jake

15th February 2006, 22:00

You did the best thing in buying the series Sassenach. I bought Clan of the Cave Bear when it was first published and had to wait a looooong time for the next one in the series, and so it went on. The amount of research JA undertook was incredible, no wonder it took so long to write them.

Hazel

26th February 2006, 11:51

My friend absolutely loved these books, so i bought them a few months ago. I just couldnt get into the Clan of The Cave Bear :cry:

I think it was more my mood at the time, and not the particular book, so i will definately give it another go :D

Inanna

26th February 2006, 16:19

I have the first book in the series coming and will see what I make of it :wink:

yin/yang

8th July 2006, 17:22

I've read all the books and i am a big fan but i've always wondered how you pronounce Auel?
The mammoth hunters and the shelters of stone are my 2 favourites and i think it's fascinating how much effort she puts into describing the crafts such as leather dyeing and beading as well as the herbology. I guess it's not surprising that she writes those scenes of passion with Jondlar with equal gusto lol.....Oh well, only another seven years till the next one comes out.

Sugar

8th July 2006, 20:55

I read Clan of the Cave Bear as it was on the BBC Big Read list. I really enjoyed it, but they are all such hefty tomes!

I always assumed Auel was pronounced like ALL, thats how most people seem to say it in the library as well.

yin/yang

9th July 2006, 10:03

Ah, ta sugar. now i know :D

Michelle

9th July 2006, 10:17

I've always pronounced it more like 'owl'.. but then I'm often wrong! hehe

muggle not

9th July 2006, 10:51

I've always pronounced it more like 'owl'.. but then I'm often wrong! hehe
Me too. Pronounciation and being wrong.

I really liked all of her books in the series. I hope though it does not take as long to write the next book as it did the last. My favorites were "Clan Of The Cave Bear" and Valley of the Horses". My least favorite was Shelters of Stone.

yin/yang

9th July 2006, 11:50

I've never made my mind up and pronounce it ever more outlandishly every time i say it. last pronounciation was YOOOWERLLL , said slowly and deliberately for my own benefit rather than for others.

Kell

9th July 2006, 12:03

I've never read them, but my mam has & she pronounces it "Awell". So that's several different pronunciations now - LOL!

yin/yang

9th July 2006, 12:51

I've found a nice site which has a description of the herbs Ayla used in the book, also with it are the passages from when they are taken. The links are top right and listed alphabetically. I thought it best to say as i looked and thought there were only 10 herbs listed for a second lol

http://ecfans.com/aylasherbs/

muggle not

9th July 2006, 14:07

On another note. To me, Ayla represents what I would like to see in all people. Honesty and goodness.

Nici76

14th February 2007, 20:51

What a brilliant series of books!

Begining with Clan of the Cave Bear, this series has to be my most favourite books of all time!

They are very different to any books i have ever read as they are set in the Ice Age but they kept me turning the page and all my friends who i have lent the books to have agreed with me!

Jean Auel has put in an huge amount of research into these books and i am eagerly awaiting book number 6! :D

Michelle

14th February 2007, 21:07

Hi Nici!

I thought you might be interested in one of our old threads about this series..
http://bookclubforum.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=9

Of course alot of our newer members wouldn't have seen it, so it's an interesting series to talk about again. :)

Nici76

14th February 2007, 21:42

Thanks for that, i will have a look now!

muggle not

16th February 2007, 18:22

Is it possible to merge the 2 threads and maybe get some discussion going again. Or do you think not.

Michelle

16th February 2007, 18:30

At the time, I didn't want Nici to wonder where her thread had gone. :)

Nici76

16th February 2007, 20:10

I don't mind them being merged! I quite fancy a discussion! :friends0:

Michelle

16th February 2007, 20:24

Ok, all merged.. :)

Nici76

16th February 2007, 20:36

Brilliant! Thanks Michelle!

My favourite book was The Valley of the Horses as i loved the relationship forming between Ayla and Jondalar. But the whole series had me hooked and i read all five books in a row solidly!

Does anyone know when number six is due to be finished?

Renniemist

16th February 2007, 21:12

I read all the books in a row as well Nici. I discovered The Clan of The Cave Bear just before I went on holiday one year and then I was so pleased to find a shop, whilst on holiday, which had the others. At first I just bought the next two, but then I had to go back and buy 4th and 5th one before coming home.

I still have them all because I did not feel I could part with them. It is a while since I read them so another look at them may be in order.

Has Jean Auel started writing another book?:)

Nici76

16th February 2007, 21:16

I have kept them all as well and they will definately get read again!

I went on to the Jean Auel web site quite a while ago (sorry i cant remember the web address) and it said on there that she is currently writing number 6!

muggle not

16th February 2007, 21:44

I hope that #6 doesn't take as long as #5 did, but yes, there is supposed to be a #6.

My faorite was Valley Of The Horses but book #1 was a close second. It was nice reading in the Horses how Ayla survived by herself. Since this thread was resurrected I went back and looked at a few of the books. I may try reading them again.....if I ever finish The Stand by King. :D

muggle not

21st January 2008, 20:01

From Jean Auel:

Quote: "Book Six is coming along."

Quote: "There will be more than six books before the series is finished."

Nici76

21st January 2008, 20:05

Ooohh Muggle I could hug you! You have made my day! :D

How very exciting!!!

happyanddandy

21st January 2008, 21:15

Crikey - I better hurry up and read the other 4 :lol:

Renniemist

21st January 2008, 21:21

Great news Muggle! I love these books.:D

kitty_kitty

22nd January 2008, 17:15

I have these but i have not read all of them but i love them i lent them to mum im law and she is addicted so musch so she has joined the library to get the others