The Clan of the Cave Bear cover art

The Clan of the Cave Bear

Earth's Children 1

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The Clan of the Cave Bear

By: Jean M. Auel
Narrated by: Rowena Cooper
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About this listen

Set 25,000 years in the past, The Clan of the Cave Bear is an epic tale of love, identity and the struggle to survive.

'BEAUTIFUL, EXCITING, IMAGINATIVE' NEW YORK TIMES
'MAGIC' TELEGRAPH

When an earthquake destroys her family's camp, Ayla is left orphaned and alone in an unfamiliar and dangerous land, with death all but guaranteed.

But then she is found by a woman of the Clan, a people very different from her own. To them, Ayla looks peculiar and ugly - her blonde hair and blue eyes marking her out as one of the Others, who have recently invaded their homeland. Yet Iza, the Clan's medicine woman, cannot leave the child to die.

As Ayla learns the ways of the Clan, Iza grows to love her, and the rest of the Clan begins to accept her. Everyone, that is, except Brun, the brutal and proud youth who is destined to become their next leader. Where others see similarity, he can only see difference. And as his hatred for the strange girl of the Others deepens, Brun grows more determined to get his revenge . . .

©1980 Jean M Auel (P)1992 AudioGO Ltd Action & Adventure Ancient Fantasy Fiction Historical Historical Fiction 21st Century
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I've read the books a million times, just as good in audio book format!
Narrator has a brilliant, expressive voice. Highly recommended!

Classic

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I first read this book many years ago when I was in high school and I don't remember it being so "textbooky".
What I mean is that, besides the story of Ayla, it feels a lot like a school text book. Almost as if Jean M Auel is a paleoanthropologist moonlighting as a novelist.
The problem with an audio book vs a hard copy is that you can easily skim over the paragraphs that are simply lists of flora or fauna or outlining the medicinal properties of dandelion or aster, or describing in meticulous detail how to make a tool. Seriously - a good 20 minutes / 10 pages worth specifically dedicated to the minutiae of how to cut stone for an axehead. Just a little too much like an encyclopaedia.
That said, if you can look past the prehistoric university lecture material, the story is exciting and engaging. I'll give myself a break before moving to the next book in the series.
Rowena Cooper does an exceptional job with the narration.

Educational as well as entertaining

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4th time read, 3rd time listened to: That says it all don't you think.

Fantastic story strong female lead

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remember reading this book when first published while commuting to work in my younger days. 30 odd years later enjoyed it again listening on audible. Jean M Auel has the magical power of her writing to transport you back to the ice age and relive what our ancestors lived. The hardship the joy sorrow struggles and never-ending battle to survive. A book and series i love.

memorable

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This series made me fascinated with prehistoric humans and how they lived. The story itself is well written, and gives a good sense of adventure. I'm going straight onto the next book in the series.

Stunning adventure.

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I have read all of these books and, as many others have, waited all those long years between book releases. It is absolutely fantastic that I can have these in audible format so that I can 'read' them again during the long commutes I have each day. Well worth the effort.
Rowena's voice is very pleasant to listen to.

The Earth's Children series

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I have read the series 2 or 3 times, first time listening to audio. great way to spend my time while commuting to and from work.

love this series

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It’s been 20 years since I first read this book and it’s still a great read.

Earths Children

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I adore this series and re-listen often.
It never fails to make me cry

A beautifully illustrative untold story

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Takes me to a time, although fictional in story, that I would rather live in. Love, adventure, danger and discovery. Amazing reader.

Brilliant

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