“I don't feel like reading the whole series... can the first book stand alone, like can I read it without having to read the rest of the series?”
“Okay it took me a little bit to get through this book but I finally did it. I finished the book last night and much to my surprise I found myself very sad for Ayla. Her life ended just where it had began with an earth quake and the loss of her family. I personally think the Clan should have denounced Broud and cursed him instead. But what do I know I am just a reader.It was slow starting as well as different parts of the book but over all I liked it. I too will be reading the rest of the series.”
“A talented story as a tasty saga from Jean M. Auel. We are able to get around the world and see how life was survived in ancient times at least in our imaginary world. ”
“ The first one is the best. She does become more repetitious as she progresses in the series. Pages and pages of discription on how to snap flint!”
“The author of this series (5 books) is an anthropologist who easily weaves true history and artifacts of the time around the story of this Ayla, a girl who loses her family and has to fight for life. It is written well and gives you a clear picture of what life may have been like before technology and world population.”
“this book was required reading in my history class and i loved it! thanks to the teacher who introduced me to ayla and the clan!”
“I think this is a great series and the author seems to research her topic pretty well. Does anyone know if and when there will be a next book? It seems to have been years and years between each book and I was just wondering if anyone had heard anything about another in the series?”
“Racist?Did anyone else find this racist?”
“To answer the original question, I dont think "the book" is racist. It describes elements of racism. I'm British. I put this in as it may throw a different view on things. Racism is an inflamitary word on both sides of the "pond." However in its widest/broad brush/simplistic term it exists on many levels. From black/white north/south yank/brit down to wrong sideof the track, WASP etc. It's all them and us. We need to keep a perspective between abuse/hatred and rivalry/banter. As a son of an Irish Catholic mum I have often been called a "fenian shite." One word I have often been, the other is a derogatory description of a religious belief to which i dont hold. The discussion of "racism" in the book is good. It shows how differences in cultures become bigotry. The fact that we are discussing it, to my mind makes it worthwhile so bring it on. The burning question in my mind, brought to my attention by two serious girlfriends since the series lapsed is; Was all her sex earth shattering? Did she never just enjoy heart warming good sex with her partners? This is a good dicussion stick with the original point it's too big to do the whole thing. Or is it?”
“I never thought of this book delving into race issues. Further in the series for sure with The Mammoth Hunters when Ayla leaves Jondalar for Ranec a black man of the Mamutoi tribe. Not that their was any particular conflict because of race, but of a scorned lover. Hmm. Interesting.”
