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schnoessl 's review for:
Les Chasseurs de mammouths
by Jean M. Auel
2.5 stars
I've been rereading the series (in French) and I was once again reminded that things go pretty much downhill after the first book. it took me ages to finish this even when I started skimming parts. Sure, you could chalk up some of my lack of enthusiams to the fact that I'd already read it twice before, but I finished the first two relatively quickly and enjoyed them despite the familiarity. Really good books have 'rereadability'.
I love the setting and the more general plot of the series. I don't even mind that much that Ayla seems to be perfect in every single way (with the exception of difficulties with some cultural differences) or even overly long detailed descriptions of things, like making a specific tool (I'm used to skimming those). But I was once again reminded of the fact that Auel doesn't do romance well. I'm not even talking about the multitude of cringy, plot-irrelevant and super repetitive sex scenes (as you can guess, I usually skim those too) but about the love stories. Which explains why I like the first and a large part of the second book, where the romance isn't really an item yet.
As I'll be talking about the general development of the love storie and about the end, the rest is marked as spoiler.
Honestly, I don't mind Jondalar being somewhat flawed and prejudiced because Auel tries to show some character development (though the way in which this happens is unsatisfactory) but I can't help but think that Ayla would have been happier staying with the Mamutoi. If he really loved her (as does everyone who meets her, apparently) he would have stayed with her and her adoptive people (I know he offers and she declines but still). The Mamutoi are the only reason I give this book any stars at all. It's intersting to see how their society works (compared to the Clan) and there are interesting characters and conflicts. I just can't stand the romance.
Warning: some mild spoilers of the general direction the series takes.
I've been rereading the series (in French) and I was once again reminded that things go pretty much downhill after the first book. it took me ages to finish this even when I started skimming parts. Sure, you could chalk up some of my lack of enthusiams to the fact that I'd already read it twice before, but I finished the first two relatively quickly and enjoyed them despite the familiarity. Really good books have 'rereadability'.
I love the setting and the more general plot of the series. I don't even mind that much that Ayla seems to be perfect in every single way (with the exception of difficulties with some cultural differences) or even overly long detailed descriptions of things, like making a specific tool (I'm used to skimming those). But I was once again reminded of the fact that Auel doesn't do romance well. I'm not even talking about the multitude of cringy, plot-irrelevant and super repetitive sex scenes (as you can guess, I usually skim those too) but about the love stories. Which explains why I like the first and a large part of the second book, where the romance isn't really an item yet.
As I'll be talking about the general development of the love storie and about the end, the rest is marked as spoiler.
Spoiler
As other reviewers have pointed out, the conflict between the lovers hinges on that awful trope of the "Big Misunderstanding" and the fact that they cannot communicate. Everyone around them can see what is going on but nobody thinks of trying to help. Some of the miscommunication can be attributed to Ayla being raised differently and not understanding other people's customs but all in all it is frustrating, without any progress, and a resolution taking place without them really talking about the misunderstanding - both come to realisations about what has been obvious from the beginning and there is no real processing of what has been going on.Honestly, I don't mind Jondalar being somewhat flawed and prejudiced because Auel tries to show some character development (though the way in which this happens is unsatisfactory) but I can't help but think that Ayla would have been happier staying with the Mamutoi. If he really loved her (as does everyone who meets her, apparently) he would have stayed with her and her adoptive people (I know he offers and she declines but still). The Mamutoi are the only reason I give this book any stars at all. It's intersting to see how their society works (compared to the Clan) and there are interesting characters and conflicts. I just can't stand the romance.
Warning: some mild spoilers of the general direction the series takes.