The Clan of the Cave Bear

Earth's Children, Book 1

By: Jean M. Auel

Narrated by: Sandra Burr

Length: 22 hrs and 17 mins

Publisher's summary

This novel of awesome beauty and power is a moving saga about people, relationships, and the boundaries of love.

Nominated as one of America’s best-loved novels by PBS’s The Great American Read

Through Jean M. Auel’s magnificent storytelling we are taken back to the dawn of modern humans, and with a girl named Ayla we are swept up in the harsh and beautiful Ice Age world they shared with the ones who called themselves The Clan of the Cave Bear. A natural disaster leaves the young girl wandering alone in an unfamiliar and dangerous land until she is found by a woman of the Clan, people very different from her own kind.

To them, blond, blue-eyed Ayla looks peculiar and ugly - she is one of the Others, those who have moved into their ancient homeland; but Iza cannot leave the girl to die and takes her with them. Iza and Creb, the old Mog-ur, grow to love her, and as Ayla learns the ways of the Clan and Iza’s way of healing, most come to accept her. But the brutal and proud youth who is destined to become their next leader sees her differences as a threat to his authority. He develops a deep and abiding hatred for the strange girl of the Others who lives in their midst, and is determined to get his revenge.

Listen to more in the Earth's Children series.

©1980 by Jean M. Auel. (P)1986 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved.

Critic reviews

"Imaginative, exciting." (The New York Times Book Review)

"Jean Auel has performed a minor miracle." (San Francisco Chronicle)

Great book

I read this so long ago. I’m so glad I was able to listen again. I had forgotten some parts. Please read or listen it’s a real adventure

great job

great job! I remember reading this series when i was younger, and I wasn't sure I wanted to listen to it. but, I quickly got sucked into it again. very good! my favorite story.

Fiction and Scientific knowledge merged beautifully

A wonderful tale around what was known of Neanderthals and CroMagnons when it was first published. I loved the most the inner thoughts of each caracter and the vivid descriptions. The main character, Ayla, represents virtues, evolution, women's role in society, rebellion. I absolutely loved this book and I fully recommend it.

most beloved listen

I have always loved this book. so happy now that it is in audible. I have read this book when it was in paperback. now I can listen to this amazing story

the gathering, and teachings of the medicine woman the courage and strength of Ayla.

love the story how detailed it was I felt I was apart of the klan

Believability

You can almost imagine that you are living with them. Except they don't listen when you have an opinion.

One of my favorites!

Read and listened to this book multiple times. Still love it! I feel like I could take the book out and live off the land. Such realism!

The details in this story are amazing

This is such an amazing series! I wish the books would continue to see how these lives turned out. I really love the fact that there’s so much detail of medical plants and eating plants, hunting, and how they all lived.

Narrator does justice to the book

I have read this book twice. I love Ayla’s story! I was a littler nervous about buying the audio. On the sample, the narrator’s voice sounds a little craggy. She sounds older, and Ayla is a young woman. I wasn’t sure it would be a good fit. I was wrong. The narrator does a wonderful job adjusting her voice to the various characters. Often, the listener can tell who is speaking by her voice, before we are told who spoke.
Story ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Performance ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Production and Narration didn't quite ruin it

Would you try another book from Jean M. Auel and/or Sandra Burr?

Yes to Auel. Maybe to Burr. I'm not sure she's the problem. The production was terrible

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Clan of the Cave Bear?

When Brun recognizes Ayla as someone more than just a girl

What didn’t you like about Sandra Burr’s performance?

Her voice was slightly clipped and monotone BUT though she wasn't the best narrator the main problem was the changing production. Every few chapters the pitch would change and he sound would be less clean. Also you could hear the pages of the book being turned and it often sounded as if the narrator had her lips ON the mike. It almost sounded like it was recorded on a scratchy 45rpm

Was The Clan of the Cave Bear worth the listening time?

Absolutely. It's one of my favorite novels

Any additional comments?

I love this book. I've read it dozens of times. I can quickly immerse myself in the Clans world and am thoroughly invested in every character. Even though the audio for this book is shameful I still enjoyed it. I really hope the publisher decides to rerecord it. This book deserves the best.