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Review
'Jean Auel's greatest achievement is to have created a plausible primeval community where men and women love and sometimes hate, and learn to survive in a harsh environment that demands rules and co-operation.' (Daily Express )
'Meticulously researched . . . fascinating . . . course-by-course menus for Upper Paleolithic blow-outs . . . that Joanne Harris might envy. Jean Auel is as remarkable a figure as J R R Tolkien.' (Independent Magazine )
'Jean M. Auel has meticulously researched her subject and this latest book should continue the huge success of the series.' (Hello )
'As always, Auel has meticulously researched her prehistoric subject and this latest offering is a triumphant continuation of the saga.' (Irish News (Belfast) )
'Massive in scope' (Daily Mirror )
'Impeccable research makes this much more than a fantasy reconstruction of prehistoric life.' (Daily Express )
'Bursting with hard information about ancient days and awash in steamy sex . . . Auel's latest will not only please her legions of fans but will hit the top of the list, pronto.' (Publishers Weekly )
'Enthralling, exciting and impossible to put down.' (York Evening Press )
'A rewarding read. A brilliant work of imagination' (Good Book Guide )
'Meticulously researched . . . fascinating . . . course-by-course menus for Upper Paleolithic blow-outs . . . that Joanne Harris might envy. Jean Auel is as remarkable a figure as J R R Tolkien.' (Independent Magazine )
'Jean M. Auel has meticulously researched her subject and this latest book should continue the huge success of the series.' (Hello )
'As always, Auel has meticulously researched her prehistoric subject and this latest offering is a triumphant continuation of the saga.' (Irish News (Belfast) )
'Massive in scope' (Daily Mirror )
'Impeccable research makes this much more than a fantasy reconstruction of prehistoric life.' (Daily Express )
'Bursting with hard information about ancient days and awash in steamy sex . . . Auel's latest will not only please her legions of fans but will hit the top of the list, pronto.' (Publishers Weekly )
'Enthralling, exciting and impossible to put down.' (York Evening Press )
'A rewarding read. A brilliant work of imagination' (Good Book Guide )
Product Description
Ayla and Jondalar have reached home: the Ninth Cave of the Zelandonii, the old stone age settlement in the region known today as south-west France. Ayla has much to learn from the Zelandonii as well as much to teach them. Jondalar's family are initially wary of the beautiful young woman he has brought back, with her strange accent and her tame wolf and horses. She is delighted when she meets Zelandoni, the spiritual leader of her people, a fellow healer with whom she can share her medicinal skills. After the rigours and dangers that have characterised her extraordinary life, Ayla yearns for peace and tranquillity; to be Jondalar's mate and to have children. But her unique spiritual gifts cannot be ignored, and even as she gives birth to their eagerly-awaited child, she is coming to accept that she has a greater role to play in the destiny of the Zelandonii. (20021208)
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
16 of 16 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
At the end of The Plains of Passage Ayla and Jondalar finally make it back to Jondalar's home - the Ninth Cave of the Zelandonii - but the story ended before she got to properly meet Jondalar's family. In The Shelters of Stone Jondalar's family are pleased to have him home but are wary of the strange foreign woman and the animals she has brought with her. Ayla has been longing to find somewhere to settle down with Jondalar and desperately wants to fit in but can she get the Zelandonii to accept her?
Although The Shelters of Stone doesn't quite manage to live up to the first 3 books in the series I found it was an improvement on The Plains of Passage. While it still has some of the same problems as book 4 (the constant repetition from the earlier books being the main one) I found the story more enjoyable because there was more interaction with other people. My main problem with The Plains of Passage was the parts where Ayla and Jondalar were travelling alone and although the description of the landscape was interesting it did overwhelm the story line, it would have been a much better book if it had been trimmed down a little. In The Shelters of Stone I enjoyed the description of the Zelandonii way of life and their religious beliefs but did find myself getting tired of the long winded introductions to the many, many characters we are introduced to.
I really enjoyed getting to meet Jondalar's family, we have heard so much about them from Jondalar that I've been looking forward to finding out more about them for a long time. I did find the number of other characters we are introduced to was overwhelming though, it was hard to keep track of who was who (even though I was reading this book for the 5th time!). When they spent time with the Mamutoi we got to know quite a lot about each member of the Lion Camp but in this installment we learn little more than the names of most of the people we meet. It would have been nice if more than a handful of characters had been fleshed out properly this time too.
The plot in The Shelters of Stone is a lot slower than it has been in previous books so don't expect a lot of action in this installment. The focus is much more on Ayla learning the customs and traditions of the Zelandonii and trying to fit in and make friends which is understandable as they have finally reached their destination. I would say that it is well worth reading this installment if you are a fan of the series, if only to witness Ayla and Jondalar's mating ceremony and the birth of their first child. If you are new to the series then I would definitely recommend starting with the first book The Clan of the Cave Bear.
Although The Shelters of Stone doesn't quite manage to live up to the first 3 books in the series I found it was an improvement on The Plains of Passage. While it still has some of the same problems as book 4 (the constant repetition from the earlier books being the main one) I found the story more enjoyable because there was more interaction with other people. My main problem with The Plains of Passage was the parts where Ayla and Jondalar were travelling alone and although the description of the landscape was interesting it did overwhelm the story line, it would have been a much better book if it had been trimmed down a little. In The Shelters of Stone I enjoyed the description of the Zelandonii way of life and their religious beliefs but did find myself getting tired of the long winded introductions to the many, many characters we are introduced to.
I really enjoyed getting to meet Jondalar's family, we have heard so much about them from Jondalar that I've been looking forward to finding out more about them for a long time. I did find the number of other characters we are introduced to was overwhelming though, it was hard to keep track of who was who (even though I was reading this book for the 5th time!). When they spent time with the Mamutoi we got to know quite a lot about each member of the Lion Camp but in this installment we learn little more than the names of most of the people we meet. It would have been nice if more than a handful of characters had been fleshed out properly this time too.
The plot in The Shelters of Stone is a lot slower than it has been in previous books so don't expect a lot of action in this installment. The focus is much more on Ayla learning the customs and traditions of the Zelandonii and trying to fit in and make friends which is understandable as they have finally reached their destination. I would say that it is well worth reading this installment if you are a fan of the series, if only to witness Ayla and Jondalar's mating ceremony and the birth of their first child. If you are new to the series then I would definitely recommend starting with the first book The Clan of the Cave Bear.
16 of 18 people found the following review helpful
Format:Kindle Edition
I was so looking forward to this after reading the previous 4 brilliant books in the series. The plots were so full of drama and Jean seemed to bring Ayla's world to vivid life. However, this book never really got going. The once colourful descriptions seemed so drawn out as to be interminable. The more I read the more I was waiting for the plot to begin. They arrived, they were accepted, they went to summer camp, they came home,the baby was born. That was basically it with a few minor dramas along the way. I was so disapointed and felt just a little bit cheated. I see Jean has now written the next book but I'm not sure that I want to read it if it follows in the same vein. Overall, very very disapointed.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I am a fan of this series and i was pleasantly suprised when someone bought me "The land of painted caves" for christmas and even more pleasantly suprised when i realised that i had missed number 5 this book. So i purchased it.
The story moves on and the lives of the familiar characters also move on but.... I started to get the feeling that the author is trying to pack out the book, with constant re-telling of Ayla's (the main characters),past. The constant re-telling of how she saved her mate,the constant re-telling of how she saved the animals, the constant re-telling of how she got her totem the constant re-telling of the her birth links every time she meets someone new. And i do mean constant. Then added to this we get all the verses of the mothers song about 5 pages worth and then in book 6 every time they visit a sacred cave someone starts singing some of these verses usually about a page worth!!! and the introductions go on and the re-telling of the past goes on and how she saved the animals goes on. Your probably feeling the same about this review.
I am disappointed that the series seems to have run out of steam. I haven't finished the sixth book yet but unless something really dramatic happens i hope it is the last. Several years ago I left the series wanting more, this time i feel the author is fulfilling her contract and the story has become a chore rather than something written to entertain.
The story moves on and the lives of the familiar characters also move on but.... I started to get the feeling that the author is trying to pack out the book, with constant re-telling of Ayla's (the main characters),past. The constant re-telling of how she saved her mate,the constant re-telling of how she saved the animals, the constant re-telling of how she got her totem the constant re-telling of the her birth links every time she meets someone new. And i do mean constant. Then added to this we get all the verses of the mothers song about 5 pages worth and then in book 6 every time they visit a sacred cave someone starts singing some of these verses usually about a page worth!!! and the introductions go on and the re-telling of the past goes on and how she saved the animals goes on. Your probably feeling the same about this review.
I am disappointed that the series seems to have run out of steam. I haven't finished the sixth book yet but unless something really dramatic happens i hope it is the last. Several years ago I left the series wanting more, this time i feel the author is fulfilling her contract and the story has become a chore rather than something written to entertain.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
The Shelters of Stone
This was the last of the Cave Bear books by Jean M Auel and every one is a winner. Captivating from first to last.
Published 6 days ago by jeanette
The Saga continues
Again Jean Auel has surpassed herself with the continuing saga of Ayla
A great read that is packed full of the lifestyle of the human race during the ice age. Read more
A great read that is packed full of the lifestyle of the human race during the ice age. Read more
Published 1 month ago by survivor
The Shelters of Stone
At long last, another Clan of the Cave Bear book. Mind you, didn't have to wait 20+ years like last time, what a great series. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Isle of man girl
A poor entry into what had been a good series
Back in the 1980's when I was still a teenager I came across Clan of the Cave Bear and Valley of Horses and bought them because I have always been very interested in human... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Dr. W. E. Allen
Yea Book 5
Picked up the first in the series in April for somthing new as have previously enjoyed fantasy horror. Read more
Published 4 months ago by sandy
A good read.
I enjoyed this book and it is a substantial read. Some readers might find the explicit sex sceens offensive, My 85 year old Mother was somewhat shocked by them, but still enjoyed... Read more
Published 4 months ago by McC1
The Shelters of Stone
Brilliant stories, will want to read them all again. Couldn't believe how fast they reach me and in such good condition.
Published 7 months ago by sarahbubbles
good value purchase
Excellent delivery and condition. Very speedy service. Getting bored with the series, as Auel is fond of repetition and reiteration...a bit like dummed down documentaries.
Published 7 months ago by c'est moi
"FANTASTIC" reading.
As with Jean's other books in this series "FANTASTIC" reading! I really lose myself in Ayla. I am now reading them all again for the 3rd time!
Published 8 months ago by Linda
Too Many Repeats
I was totally hooked on these beautifully written books, my one hugh annoyance is that the author constantly repeated herself, harping back to situtations in all her previous... Read more
Published 8 months ago by L. Gaskin
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