Skip to main content
PBS logo
 
 

Search - The Clan of the Cave Bear (Earth's Children, Bk 1)

The Clan of the Cave Bear (Earth's Children, Bk 1)
The Clan of the Cave Bear - Earth's Children, Bk 1
Author: Jean M. Auel
This novel of awesome beauty and power is a moving saga about people, relationships, and the boundaries of love. Through Jean M. Auel’s magnificent storytelling we are taken back to the dawn of modern humans, and with a girl named Ayla we are swept up in the harsh and beautiful Ice Age world they shared with the ones who called themselves ...  more »
Info icon
ISBN-13: 9780553148008
ISBN-10: 0553148001
Publication Date: 1981
Pages: 495
Rating:
  • Currently 4.2/5 Stars.
 63

4.2 stars, based on 63 ratings
Publisher: Bantam Books
Book Type: Paperback
Other Versions: Hardcover
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review

Top Member Book Reviews

alleigh avatar reviewed The Clan of the Cave Bear (Earth's Children, Bk 1) on + 15 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 7
[i]The Clan of the Cave Bear[/i] is the first in Jean Auels [i]Earths Children[/i] series, and its an exciting way to begin. The book is a coming-of-age story for a young girl, Ayla, living during the Ice Age who is orphaned during an Earthquake. Ayla is adopted by The Clan of the Cave Bear, although she clearly is not Clan, as she looks, acts, and communicates very differently. The story is clearly a work of fantasy, as there are obvious factual inaccuracies; however, the quality of Auels writing makes it easy to become absorbed in the story and forget reality.

Aylas tale is on of moving from childhood to adulthood, Auel masterfully weaves vivid details about the setting, while keeping the reader engaged in the plot. Each character in the novel goes through his or her own individual struggle because of Aylas difference, yet because of the Auels writing style, it is easy for the reader to understand why each character is faced with difficult choices, rather than automatically siding with the main character. There is also depth to the descriptions that Auel uses, which makes it easy to understand the love between Ayla and her adopted parentsCreb and Izathe intensity of Brouds hatred toward Ayla, and the heart wrenching pain that is inflicted upon her.

Overall, the book is a fairly easy, but very captivating read.
reviewed The Clan of the Cave Bear (Earth's Children, Bk 1) on + 2 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 4
I read a lot of books and this was one of my favorites. The story stays with you for many years. It is rich in detail of how the earth was after the ice age. The rest of the books have great discriptions also. All in all, it's a great series of one woman's struggles and journey to find her people.
3catsmommy avatar reviewed The Clan of the Cave Bear (Earth's Children, Bk 1) on + 19 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 4
This book is so good I could not put it down, had to read it nonstop in a weekend-just to see what happens in the clan next! This writer is like you are really there living in this clan with these people. Now I know after resting my eyes and getting a few chores done-that in the next 2 days I will be drawn to the 2nd book in the series. Written in a seriously compelling way and the rich descriptive narrative ,the most enjoyable reading. Wow!!!!
reviewed The Clan of the Cave Bear (Earth's Children, Bk 1) on + 10 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
This is one of the most interesting and wonderful books a person could read. It tells the story of Ayla, who is a very strong character, who seems to be able to conquer all obstacles that come her way. Ayla is a Cro-magnon girl who is adopted into a group of Neanderthals. Ayla also has many skills which help her in her life and adventures. She is truly an inspiring character. I read this book a long time ago, but it has remained my favorite book of all time. The author makes you feel as if you are there with Ayla and she describes the landscape and time period beautifully. You will not be sorry if you decide to read this book. There are also four books that follow this book and they are, The Valley of Horses, The Mammoth Hunters, The Plains of Passage and The Shelters of Stone. Happy Reading.
I-F-Letty avatar reviewed The Clan of the Cave Bear (Earth's Children, Bk 1) on + 73 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
As I said I really didn't expect to like this book, blame it on my Mother because she raved about it when it came out, and I was still a brat then and didn't want to like anything that she did. But doing the math I realized that she was the same age when it was released as I am now.

As for the book, Auel's research is evident in every pen stroke, It is a credible telling of a time period for which we only have fossils, cave paintings and the odd bog find. When understanding nature could only be dealt with with superstition. As a Cromagnon Ayla's story was compelling, and at time heart wrenching.

Orphaned by and earthquake at five she is left alone in the wilderness and wanders for days slowing dying of starvation and exposure, when attacked by a cave lion she is finally near death when the Neanderthal Clan finds her. Saved by the clan's Medicine Woman and the clan's Shaman, Alya is reluctantly taken into the clan. The story follows as she struggled with her oh so obvious differences, and against Broud's (the chief's son and heir apparent) unrelenting hatred of her. Is Alya lucky for the clan? It seems so, she finds a bitchin cave for them in which to live.

Against all tradition she learns to hunt, a task that is strictly forbidden to females, and excels in everything she tries. In saving the life of Broud and his mate's child it is discovered that she has mastered the sling and that she has indeed been hunting. Alya is cast out only if she survives for a month can she return. Of course she does return which makes Broud more determined to crush her. He hates her so much that as they grow into adulthood the only way he can dominate her is to force her to submit to him sexually. This is where I was thinking Auel fell flat. In her world these people had some convoluted idea of how babies are made. You can't tell me that even Neanderthals didn't see beasts mating and make the connection. Anyway, Alya has Broud's child a connection no one make's but her. As her protectors age and die it become inevitable that she must leave and find her own people. I will give it 4 out of 5 stars.
Read All 70 Book Reviews of "The Clan of the Cave Bear Earths Children Bk 1"

Please Log in to Rate these Book Reviews

love2read8273 avatar reviewed The Clan of the Cave Bear (Earth's Children, Bk 1) on
Excellent Book. One of my Favorite Series.
reviewed The Clan of the Cave Bear (Earth's Children, Bk 1) on + 13 more book reviews
Excellent! One of my favorie books.
serafina avatar reviewed The Clan of the Cave Bear (Earth's Children, Bk 1) on + 6 more book reviews
I came across the last book of this series about 3 months ago at a Library Book Sale & read it before I realized there were 5 Books preceding it! But it was so incredible, so interesting, & so unlike any other book I've read, I was compelled to start at the beginning.
Book 1- The Clan of the Cave Bear is amazing! The author, Mrs. Auel, must have spent years researching because the intense detail is so diverse & covers so many different aspects of the Ice Age- from the people to the many now extinct species of animals. Mrs. Auel's description of the plants, trees, flowers, vegetables, rocks & minerals, etc. are so incredibly vivid, I could actually picture everything from the eyes of Ayla. Reading about the experiences she was able to survive through, & often thrive through, during her life depicts Ayla as a courageous, strong-willed heroine.
At about the half way point, I realized I HAD to continue on with the series and immediately logged onto PBS to request the others. I can't wait to see where the story goes from here!
reviewed The Clan of the Cave Bear (Earth's Children, Bk 1) on
I didn't read this book when it first came out, although I did hear about it. Now that I have read it, I can't get enough of the series of books and reading about the time period itself. It is very fascinating to think about early modern humans, Cro Magnons, living close to the Neaderthals. You can tell that the author really did a lot of research. So much is unknown, that much needed to be made up to tell a story like this. What truly makes me love these books are the characters. They seem so real, and they are so interesting. It makes me want to go back to this time and find Ayla, surely, she must have been a real person.... in my mind, she will always be there.

Mostly for people who like a longer story, with lots of adventure. People who are interested in thinking about history, or differences in people.... where we came from and who we are. It is a five star rating for me.
reviewed The Clan of the Cave Bear (Earth's Children, Bk 1) on + 21 more book reviews
great series
caladan avatar reviewed The Clan of the Cave Bear (Earth's Children, Bk 1) on + 54 more book reviews
One of my all-time favorites! The first in the series that I reread almost every year. I love the ambiance of the book, historical aspects, learning about herbs and how they may have mastered new tools. And of course, Ayla, the heroine is heart warming, a character you can't help but root for.

The first book is a bit tough to read with the things she had to endure but still a wonderful story to set up the far more enjoyable stories to follow. Highly recommend!
garythefowler avatar reviewed The Clan of the Cave Bear (Earth's Children, Bk 1) on + 65 more book reviews
The first in a series; very well told story. The author did extensive research on all of the appropriate topics to create a window into "then and there." The purist or scholar may notice just a few anachronistic details, but Auel acknowledges in her preface that she included some of those for the sake of the story line. Overall, this book plus its sequels provide a general understanding of the time and the region. It is easy to expect that some readers, starting with this, have gone on to explore prehistorical anthropology, geography, toolmaking, and much more. A long book, and a good read.
reviewed The Clan of the Cave Bear (Earth's Children, Bk 1) on + 5 more book reviews
great series
reviewed The Clan of the Cave Bear (Earth's Children, Bk 1) on + 2 more book reviews
This book is a novel of awesome beauty. Ayla is a lost little girl found by a new clan. She leads the struggle for survival even though she is far different from the other clan members.
reviewed The Clan of the Cave Bear (Earth's Children, Bk 1) on + 8 more book reviews
This is the story of a little girl who is raised by a family of beings who are apparently a step or two behind on the evolutionary chain. It details her relationship with them and with her eventual journey to find other humans.

Book Wiki

Series
Earth's Children  1 of 7
People/Characters
Ayla (Primary Character)
Iza (Primary Character)
Broud (Major Character)
Brun (Major Character)

Genres: