Jean Auel - Earth's Children

[Michelle]

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!

 

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.

[pageturner30]

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]

[Guest jake]

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]

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.

[Hazel]

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

 

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

[yin/yang]

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]

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.

[Michelle]

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

[muggle not]

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]

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]

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

[yin/yang]

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]

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

[Nici]

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!

[Nici]

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?

Edited February 24, 2010 by Michelle

[Renniemist]

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?

[muggle not]

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.

[librarylady]

I'm new here, I wondered if anyone is reading this series? I'm a third of the way through the 5th book Shelters of Stone thinking I was reading the 4th book which I now discover is Plains of Passage ! Have I missed anything vital?? Should I immediately stop and go back ??

[Talisman]

It is always best to read them in sequence when you can, as that way you get continuity. From what I recall there are some important things that happen in book 4. I read them all when they first came out, and have re-read them a few times since, most recently about a year and half ago.

 

I studied human origins for a year myself via Birkbeck, and have to say that the books are very well researched. Although technically fiction, paleoanthropologists now believe that much of the things that happen in those books is likely to have actually occured - needles for example appear at roughly the time that Ayla invented hers, and so on. The Venus figurines discovered in Eastern Europe are sufficiently well known for most people to be aware of as is the cave art found in sites such as Lascaux and Altamira.

[vinay87]

I have the first three books, I enjoyed the first book but I've never been able t oget past 100 pages of the second... yet it's so clear in my head though it's been over three years since I last tried it. I'll give it a shot later once my TBR is done.

[Univerze]

I love these books, though I haven't read all of them, usually I get bored by, what the fourth book or something? Yes, I checked, always get stuck in the Plains of Passage. Has been years since I tried though, and these days I would probably read them in original English, might be better since I always have the feeling something gets lost in translation.

[librarylady]

I've now finished Shelters of Stone (see previous post), now I shall read Plains of Passage and try to fill in the missing bits! A few comments I have... there are FAR TOO MANY characters... trying to remember who was who was difficult, also there is a lot of repetition as once again: Ayla demonstrates her firestones; describes how she trains the animals; Ayla and Jondalar have amazing sex... I could go on!

[ladymacbeth]

I just saw that the last book in the Earth's Children series is coming out next year - The Land of Painted Caves.

 

I first read Clan of the Cave Bear when I was 13. Such a long time ago but would like to finally know what the ending is to this series.

[Michelle]

This is going to be released in March next year, and is indeed the final book. It looks as if I'll be able to get an early review edition, and I'm in touch with the publisher, so stay tuned for news, a review, and possibly a competition.

 

I'm actually quite excited about it, but I may well have to go back and speed read through the previous 5 books!

[Talisman]

I might consider re-reading them again as well, especially since I can't afford to buy any more books at the moment - not if I want a holiday at the end of February anyway !