This is the dullest most boring book I have ever read. It's like sitting through a course on anthropology. The characters' names were mostly three or four letters long and it was impossible to keep them apart. A shorter version without so much narration would make this a better book. I kept thinking "get on with the story" every time she would start discussing weeds and bushes.

When I started this series, I had no idea that "Valley of Horses" and "Plains of Passage" were sequels to "Clan of the Cave Bear," so I didn't start with this one. However, the book is great start to the series. It really introduces the reader to the world of the Stone Age, when both Cro-Magnons and Neaderthals still walked the earth together. The books are highly researched, though unfortunately suffer from the fact that there has been a lot of new research in the past forty years, which contradicts things Auel's novels. However, that is not her fault, and this book is up to date for what was known at the time of her writing. I highly recommend this series for historical fiction readers, especially those who like pre-historic writings.

I was named after the main character in this book and I can say that this book does not disappoint . Every adventure and heartbreak makes you want to read this book more and more! I finished this near 500 page book in 3 days. That is how good it is.

Great story, but there were sections that you could have completely skipped over - or for some reason she felt needed to be explained (almost word for word) twice (ie, Death Curse).

Jean Auel is a phenomenol author. The descriptions she writes, whether it be about the settings or characters, are so luscious and full of beautiful word combinations. I learned so much from this book thanks to her commitment to research about the neanderthols. I know much of it has not been proven but it still was so much fun to read. I've found myself wanting to learn more about them because of this book and have even watched a few realated documentaries.

Highly recommended read! You'll fall in love with Ayla.

Favorite book of all time!

I almost put it down in the first chapter but as soon as I got to the second chapter I couldnt stop reading!
I love this book

I have read this book every year, at least once a year, since I was in 6th grade. It is amazing!

Give it 100 pages and you will be hooked. I have already ordered the rest of the series...yes, that good!

I love this book series. The first book covers more years of Ayla's life than any other. It pulls you in with her struggle to fit in and understand the flatheads who took her in. Her struggles leave you feeling frustrated at the circumstances and need for conformity.
Auel does a great job at describing almost every aspect of nature and what the characters are seeing. At times it can be very repetitive but it makes you remember the aspects of each plant and animal and paints a very precise picture of what she is describing.

This is a good read; not a masterwork but very entertaining and enjoyable with characters you care about, particularly Ayla.