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2.92 AVERAGE
2.92 AVERAGE
The title is accurate. This is a book about painted caves, with a side story about the two primary characters you've been following for the last five books that acts as the bread on a cave sandwich.
I'd mostly enjoyed this series, both for Auel's dedication in her research, and for a new, interesting premise. I found the prior books to be both enjoyable, and worthwhile investments of my time. However, I couldn't push myself to get through this book. I don't DNF often, but the story had pushed on for so long on the mundane cave tour that I eventually lost interest in finally getting back to some plot resolution. The payoff was no longer worth it.
Basically, if you're a fan of caves, 80% of this book will absolutely thrill you.
I'd mostly enjoyed this series, both for Auel's dedication in her research, and for a new, interesting premise. I found the prior books to be both enjoyable, and worthwhile investments of my time. However, I couldn't push myself to get through this book. I don't DNF often, but the story had pushed on for so long on the mundane cave tour that I eventually lost interest in finally getting back to some plot resolution. The payoff was no longer worth it.
Basically, if you're a fan of caves, 80% of this book will absolutely thrill you.
emotional
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Could the final chapter of Earth's children get any worse? NOPE
If you suffer from the "sleepless night" syndrome, if you are looking for the absolute tranquilizer, this book is for you. It's the utlimate book, actually. Unlike the masterpiece "Clan Of The Cave Bear" and the second & third book of the series, this (6th), is boring beyond salvation. In literature, describing paintings is an absolute "not". The book could only be worse if it contained music descriptions (I was afraid that the book would contain a few, but thank Ursus, nothing of the sort appeared).
The story is not well balanced (actually it's only 'moving' at the 3rd part, until then it's a stinking quagmire), the characters "shift" without logic [SPOILER ALERT - Jondalar acts like a complete and utter jerk for no obvious reason] and still act moronic ("oh, I know she does not love me any more, so better leave her alone, although the pain is so great that I coughed my heart out" - "oh, it's obvious he does not love me anymore, lets leave him alone although the pain rips my chest apart" --- YES, that, rings any bells? happened again!)
I longed to read about the mother-daughter relationship, but it was reduced to casual everyday stuff (sure, describing 20 times how a toddler pees caused much rejoicing in the pedophile department, but alas the rest of us were BORED), I even hoped reading something about the long lost son (OK, long shot, but I REALLY hoped, don't tell me I'm the only one!), I even hoped there would be some neanderthal's, even as passers by. Tough luck. Only fools and (less than few) horses...
Don't read this book unless you REALLY want to know how prehistoric paintings can be described. Well, better go see them.
To make a long story short: One star is the minimum, so I give one. But I wish I had a -5 to give.
This book is an epic (even divine) fail.
Will a 7th book save the game? Nope. Won't be one. Probably for the better...
P.S. People who rate this kind of crap fours and fivers, either you don't evaluate what you read, or you rate affected by the love for the first 3 books (after that all went downhill): DON'T. Be honest.
If you suffer from the "sleepless night" syndrome, if you are looking for the absolute tranquilizer, this book is for you. It's the utlimate book, actually. Unlike the masterpiece "Clan Of The Cave Bear" and the second & third book of the series, this (6th), is boring beyond salvation. In literature, describing paintings is an absolute "not". The book could only be worse if it contained music descriptions (I was afraid that the book would contain a few, but thank Ursus, nothing of the sort appeared).
The story is not well balanced (actually it's only 'moving' at the 3rd part, until then it's a stinking quagmire), the characters "shift" without logic [SPOILER ALERT - Jondalar acts like a complete and utter jerk for no obvious reason] and still act moronic ("oh, I know she does not love me any more, so better leave her alone, although the pain is so great that I coughed my heart out" - "oh, it's obvious he does not love me anymore, lets leave him alone although the pain rips my chest apart" --- YES, that, rings any bells? happened again!)
I longed to read about the mother-daughter relationship, but it was reduced to casual everyday stuff (sure, describing 20 times how a toddler pees caused much rejoicing in the pedophile department, but alas the rest of us were BORED), I even hoped reading something about the long lost son (OK, long shot, but I REALLY hoped, don't tell me I'm the only one!), I even hoped there would be some neanderthal's, even as passers by. Tough luck. Only fools and (less than few) horses...
Don't read this book unless you REALLY want to know how prehistoric paintings can be described. Well, better go see them.
To make a long story short: One star is the minimum, so I give one. But I wish I had a -5 to give.
This book is an epic (even divine) fail.
Will a 7th book save the game? Nope. Won't be one. Probably for the better...
P.S. People who rate this kind of crap fours and fivers, either you don't evaluate what you read, or you rate affected by the love for the first 3 books (after that all went downhill): DON'T. Be honest.
thank fuck that's over.
I'd love to be more eloquent, but this repetitive dismally dull drek has apparently killed my brain.
I'd love to be more eloquent, but this repetitive dismally dull drek has apparently killed my brain.
Wow. That was...awful. Half the book was recapping what had already taken place in previous books, a good amount was repetitive descriptions of cave paintings, and the last part was drama that has all been done before (Jondalar is jealous? Clan roots are dangerous?). What a disappointing ending to a hot and cold series.
Waaah na twee jaar de hele serie uit! Was heerlijk om naar te luisteren en jeetje wat een reis heeft ze doorstaan
The only reason I plugged through this book was because I had read all the others and thoroughly enjoyed Clan of the Cave Bear when it first came out. Painted Caves was anticlimactic and there were many occasions referring back to everything that Ayla had done and knew because of her vast stores of experiences ad nauseum. Of course, if you just picked up the final book to read without prior knowledge of Ayla's vast stores of experiences and capabilities, it would be helpful for understanding what was happening. Disappointing.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
What. A load. Of manure. 75% plotless descriptions and repetitions followed by 25% pure angst and wallowing in same. Oh and did I mention the repetitions? I know all of Ayla's names and ties by heart, the Mother's Song did not improve with extensive familiarity and YES, Ayla speaks with an accent. I get it and I do remember the reader telling me about it five hundred times before. I wondered while listening to this if Auel had actually reached an age where she had forgotten what she had already written, or if the series had simply sold so well over the years that by now she could get away with any drivel she wanted.
adventurous
informative
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes