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2.92 AVERAGE
2.92 AVERAGE
And at last, what was possibly the slowest written series in the English language is over. I read Clan of the Cave Bear in 1982. No spoilers but anyone who has read the series saw the ending coming from 5 books back.. ok, one spoiler – we now know who’s to blame for the rise of the patriarchy.
It's a 3 part book. Part 1 has an earthquake that seemed promising as a plot device but in a foreshadowing of the rest of the book, it was a disappointment & came to nothing much.
Part 2 is the travel part and most of the book. It jumps 4 years ahead in the story for no reason whatsoever, expect possibly to age Jonayla enough so she can pee whenever she wants to rather than waiting for Ayla to take her out of the carrying basket.
Part 3 is where we get what little plot there is, though as was foreshadowed in part 1, this is a disappointment.
This book has the feel of Plains of Passage, lots of travel. So. Much. Travel. So many boring, dry, technical descriptions of landscape, rocks, soil, etc. Ayla is taken by Zelandoni all around France to see all the painted caves as part of her training. Fewer caves would have been fine. Or perhaps less description of them. Detail overload on the cave paintings. Lots of research went in to it but perhaps every last one of those findings did not need to make it into the narrative.
Also? Jondalar was missing much of the time. Oh he was around… in that vague way secondary characters are around & I think the book suffered from that. Especially since we learn in Part 3, last quarter of the book, that he has had this whole subplot of his own running since the beginning without word one mentioned until then. I think dragging that plot out into the light early on would have added some very much needed tension & character development to the story.
I’m glad I read it, I needed the closure after 30 years, but it was such a nonevent I wondered if I had really needed the closure that much.
It's a 3 part book. Part 1 has an earthquake that seemed promising as a plot device but in a foreshadowing of the rest of the book, it was a disappointment & came to nothing much.
Part 2 is the travel part and most of the book. It jumps 4 years ahead in the story for no reason whatsoever, expect possibly to age Jonayla enough so she can pee whenever she wants to rather than waiting for Ayla to take her out of the carrying basket.
Part 3 is where we get what little plot there is, though as was foreshadowed in part 1, this is a disappointment.
This book has the feel of Plains of Passage, lots of travel. So. Much. Travel. So many boring, dry, technical descriptions of landscape, rocks, soil, etc. Ayla is taken by Zelandoni all around France to see all the painted caves as part of her training. Fewer caves would have been fine. Or perhaps less description of them. Detail overload on the cave paintings. Lots of research went in to it but perhaps every last one of those findings did not need to make it into the narrative.
Also? Jondalar was missing much of the time. Oh he was around… in that vague way secondary characters are around & I think the book suffered from that. Especially since we learn in Part 3, last quarter of the book, that he has had this whole subplot of his own running since the beginning without word one mentioned until then. I think dragging that plot out into the light early on would have added some very much needed tension & character development to the story.
I’m glad I read it, I needed the closure after 30 years, but it was such a nonevent I wondered if I had really needed the closure that much.
adventurous
emotional
informative
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
I have finally finished this epic series, truly treasured from my childhood. It was intriguing to me recognizing how I have outgrown this writing style and at times even grew tired of the repetitive descriptions, whereas I soaked it up like a dry sponge as a kid.
With likely very little time to read over the next few months, I am so glad I was finally able to finish and "get closure" on Ayla's Journey.
With likely very little time to read over the next few months, I am so glad I was finally able to finish and "get closure" on Ayla's Journey.
The Land of Painted Caves is the sixth book, and epic conclusion to the Earth's Children Series by Jean M. Auel. reading this book every time I visit is always such a bittersweet experience- on one hand I am excited to read more of the superb series and yet I know it is the conclusion to the story, which leaves me a little sad. As with the other books before it, this is a continuation of the story which was started back in The Clan of the Cave Bear. I really recommend reading all the books in their correct sequence to get the most enjoyment possible from your reading experience. There is a lot of character information and backstory that is contained in the other books, which will all help to build a picture of the world in which this story is set as well as setting the mood, tone and feel for the series as a whole.
This Is another trip down memory lane for me. I have lost track of how many times I have read this series over the years. It is one I have recommended to so many people, and even gifting the series to many of my book-loving friends- who have also loved them.
This is the first ‘grown-up’ book/series that I read all those years ago, as a teenager. I was completely captivated by Ayla and her fascinating story, as I am every time I visit.
Ms. Auel’s world building skills are par none. The scenes are described in such exquisite detail that I am transported into the story- and watch, spellbound, as everything unfolds.
The characters are unique, fully realised individuals who have a powerful presence on the page. They are entirely realistic and truly believable. This story paints a very vivid picture and I am not so much reading, but ‘seeing’ Ayla’s world.
This is one of my all-time favourite reads! And it doesn’t matter how many times I read it, it always captures my imagination and pulls me into the pages. I will never tire of this breathtaking book/series. It will stand the test of time due to the wonderful storyline, the compelling writing, and the strong endearing characters whose growth and development throughout the entire book and series is just amazing.
Kudos Ms. Auel!
This Is another trip down memory lane for me. I have lost track of how many times I have read this series over the years. It is one I have recommended to so many people, and even gifting the series to many of my book-loving friends- who have also loved them.
This is the first ‘grown-up’ book/series that I read all those years ago, as a teenager. I was completely captivated by Ayla and her fascinating story, as I am every time I visit.
Ms. Auel’s world building skills are par none. The scenes are described in such exquisite detail that I am transported into the story- and watch, spellbound, as everything unfolds.
The characters are unique, fully realised individuals who have a powerful presence on the page. They are entirely realistic and truly believable. This story paints a very vivid picture and I am not so much reading, but ‘seeing’ Ayla’s world.
This is one of my all-time favourite reads! And it doesn’t matter how many times I read it, it always captures my imagination and pulls me into the pages. I will never tire of this breathtaking book/series. It will stand the test of time due to the wonderful storyline, the compelling writing, and the strong endearing characters whose growth and development throughout the entire book and series is just amazing.
Kudos Ms. Auel!
I started the whole series from beginning before I got to the sixth.
I swear she repeated past stories more than once in this book, but I could be wrong.
But Mainly: Someone should tell Jean Auel that a picture is worth 1000 words and the book would be a lot shorter! Page after page of descriptions of the paintings in caves in europe that I'll never see. Get to the ACTION and people, not boring old caves!
It ended in the air... and that's ok, but I won't be awaiting another!
NEXT!
I swear she repeated past stories more than once in this book, but I could be wrong.
But Mainly: Someone should tell Jean Auel that a picture is worth 1000 words and the book would be a lot shorter! Page after page of descriptions of the paintings in caves in europe that I'll never see. Get to the ACTION and people, not boring old caves!
It ended in the air... and that's ok, but I won't be awaiting another!
NEXT!
emotional
informative
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Miscarriage
adventurous
informative
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
The other books in this series are excellent and fascinating. Skip this one! It’s so repetitive I don’t know how it got past an editor!
slow-paced
Ugh. I read the first part of the series years ago. I don't knot if the writing was as bad then or if it got bad. The book is painful, boring, and repetitive. Wish I had looked at reviews first because those are hours of my life I can't get back. Never again. Just terrible.