^Me and my copy of Clan of the Cave Bear^
Rating - *****
Summary -
The stunning epic that stirred the imagination of millions. Here is a novel of awesome beauty and power. A moving saga about people, relationships and the boundaries of love. Through Jean Auel's magnificent storytelling, we are taken back to the dawn of mankind and swept up in the wonderful world of a very special heroine, Ayla. Her enthralling story is one we all can share. A natural disaster has left young Ayla alone, wandering, fending for herself in an unfamiliar land. One day, she is discovered by the Clan of the Cave bear, men and women far different from her own people. Tall, blond, blue-eyed Ayla is a mysterious stranger to the Clan and at first they mistrust her and cast her out. But as she grows to know them and to learn the ways of the Clan, she is welcomed. And as she leads them in their struggle for survival, the Clan come to worship Ayla. For in her blood flows the future of humanity.
-Book Jacket
Review -
This story begins 35,000 years ago in a time where Cro-Magnons and Neanderthals shared the Earth.
We follow as an orphned Cro-Magnon girl called Ayla (thats as close as we ever get to her real name) is adopted at age 5 by a group of Neanderthals who simply call themselves Clan.
Their ways are strange to the girl, but she quickly learns and becomes one of them despite many cultural issues, giving a major look at nurture versus nature. Ayla is headstrong, and doesnt understand the reason that clan woman are viewed as a lower class than clan men. Despite not understanding their language (sign language that is) she learns quickly after being adopted by the Clan Medicine Woman (Iza) and the Clan Mog-Ur [Shaman] (Creb) a deformed yet powerful brother and his kind hearted sister. Living with them she quickly begins to learn "her place" though and begins to settle into clan life. Despite being only a small girl, and called ugly by the short, robust people she now calls family she finds an enemy in the Clan Leader's (Brun, brother to Iza and Creb) son, the heir apparent (Broud). Broud hates Ayla from the moment she arrives and creates quite a bit of greif through her throughout her life, though the clan often wonders why he lowers himself to baiting a lowly female who HAS to obey his every beck and call. While some in the clan come to regard Ayla as good luck, others follow Broud's lead and feel she is nothing but an outsider encroaching on their way of life and revered traditions.
Not only does Ayla's appearance set Ayla apart, she is also marked by a totem that few Hunters (only men are hunters) are blessed with. She is marked by the ferocious Cave Lion. This is completely against tradition as women of the clan Always have weaker totems. Ayla battles against prejudice, and ostracism, but also finds love and happiness, and very nearly finds a place to call home and a group that could almost be family, though there are always things reminding both her and the clan that she is in fact not one of them.
The beginning started off slow enough, but once you get into it, it truly sucks you in. Being raised as a modern American woman with every opportunity and freedom, this book was a bit of a culture shock at moments, seeing the way men weren't only allowed, but were expected to treat women. Of course this is a work of fiction, but even the possibility made my stomach turn at moments. Once I got into it I could barely put it down! The best and worst part would have to be Jean M. Auel's attention to detail. Where during most of the book it entrances you and takes you right into Creb's hearth in their family cave, there are a few points where I had to skip over, though others may find of interest. (I.E. at the beginning of chapter 2 there was almost 1 page and a half describing plant and wild life in their new territory...) Like I said, some may find this fascinating, but personally I found it took a little away, though was at least very informative.
All in all I would reccomend this book to anyone who has an intrest in a time before time.
The rich spirituality of the clan, and the uniqueness of the girl both clash, and flow as one, making you laugh, cry, and gasp as you quickly turn the page, your heart pounding.
All in all?
2 thumbs up!
Notes-
This book has also been turned into a movie staring Daryl Hannah as Ayla. keep an eye on my Movie Review site Here for the review coming soon!
