The Valley of Horses: A Novel (Earth's children): Amazon.co.uk: Jean M. Auel: 9780553250534: Books

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Review

'It has magic' (Daily Telegraph )

'A panorama of human culture in its infancy . . . THE VALLEY OF HORSES is great fun.' (New York Times Book Review )

'Holds the reader in a powerful spell.' (Publishers Weekly ) --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Publishers Weekly

'Holds the reader in a powerful spell.' --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Customer Reviews

52 Reviews

5 star:		(33)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(3)
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4.4 out of 5 stars (52 customer reviews)

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29 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars New characters, new settings and a new adventure, 18 Jan 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: The Valley of Horses (Earth's Children) (Paperback)

Ayla has been exiled from the Clan of Neanderthals that raised her since she was five years old. Iza and Creb have died and now that she is in exile Ayla has had to leave her son Durc behind with her sister Uba. Alone and with very little possessions for her survival Ayla travels across the country in search of "the others", Cro-Magnon people to whom she was born. However eager to find a home for the winter Ayla stays in a Valley in which she finds a foal which she raises and cares for to ease her loneliness. Aylas caring nature also causes her to adopt a lion cub, however the lion cub had a greater impact on her fate than even Ayla could image. At the same time as Ayla is finding her independence two Cro-Magnon brothers Jondalar and Thonolan are travelling across the continent from their home in Southern France in search of the end of the Great Mother River and adventure. Jean M Auel has surpassed herself this book is even greater than the one before. The circumstances which unite Ayla and Jondalar are well thought out and just like the Clan of the Cave Bear the world in which Ayla lives in is thoroughly researched and detailed. Jondalar and Thonolans adventure gives the reader knowledge of "the others" and the many different cultures present in this one race of people. Through this writing technique the reader is fully informed not only about the customs and culture of the Neanderthal people but the Cro-Magnon people aswell. Auel has provided this book with a great collection of new characters and settings to move the story along whet ever happens in future books this one is the best yet. I challenge anyone to read this book and criticise it!

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11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A fantastic story and the best in the series., 2 July 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: The Valley of Horses (Earth's Children) (Paperback)

This is the second instalment in the Earth's Children series and follows the beautiful Ayla after she is expelled from the clan that raised her and is forced to fight for survival in a harsh and unfamiliar land. Heading north she searches for her own people but eventually settles alone in a small valley to wait out the oncoming winter. The story also introduces Jondalar, a charismatic young man who follows his brother on a journey to find the end of the Great Mother river.

This book is probably the best in the Earth's Children saga. Auel deftly blends a compelling tale discovery with authentic detail to paint a captivating view of life in the ice age. Above all, she imbues with book with a rare sense of passion that truly involves the reader in the story. We feel for the characters' triumphs and sorrows and experience a building sense of anticipation as their journeys lead them towards one another.

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10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A story of survival and determination, 23 July 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: The Valley of Horses (Earth's Children) (Paperback)

The heroine of The Clan of the Cave Bear, Ayla, sets out alone and discovers a lush valley surrounded by bleak steppes. Feeling the loneliness of her situation, she adopts an orphaned foal and rescues an injured lion cub from a certain death. While she lives in the valley for three years without human contact, a young man, Jondalar, sets out with his restless younger brother who is eager to see the world.

When the two finally meet, it is the first time Ayla meets one of her own since losing her parents who she doesn't remember. At the same time Jondalar is drawn to this strange and beautiful woman who lacks social skills but has a talent for healing.

This second instalment should not only appeal to those who want to know what happens next to Ayla after she leaves the Clan but can also be enjoyed as a great read on its own. This book is well written and shows up the author's imaginative talent as well as her well-researched knowledge of wildlife and landscape of Ice Age Europe.

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5.0 out of 5 stars The Valley of the Horses
The second of the set of stories about Ayla living in Northern Europe just after the Ice Age. Just as brilliant as the first book The Clan of the Cave Bear.

Published 2 days ago by Ms. Catherine Jean Lindsay