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)

Truly a masterpiece

I first read this book when I was 10 or 11 or so. Nearly 20 years later, I read it read again every few years or so. Amazing book, great characters, great story. The sequels aren't nearly as good (Ayla basically invents the modern world), but this book stands fine on its own and has stood the test of time.

I've always loved this story!

The narrator brought this story to life for me in a way that 6 re-reads couldn't. I rarely buy books I prefer to go to the library, but I have three different formats of this story. that is how much I love it.

Best of books

wONDERFUL. LOVE AUDIBLE NO DISKS TO CHANGE
JEAN AUEL US SO EASY TO LISTEN TO.

Amazing book

I read this in paperback almost 25 years ago and feel the same sense of amazement now as I did then. I hesitated to purchase the audio recording because although I have read this one more than once and know it is a fabulous book, I was not sure listening to it would evoke the same feelings in me as holding the book in my hand. I have grown into an audiophile and could not get enough of this. The narrator was awesome and I think I get something new every time I read through. (This is one of only a very few books I have desired to read more than once). I am going to get the next couple to listen to now. I just realized I didn't even read the whole series yet and I am so excited to see more.

Movie vs. Book

I was a fan of the movie however, as always, nothing compares to reading the actual book. Amazing story. I want to read the entire collection now!

love it!!!

One of the best books of fictional prehistoric life. I hope she makes more

THE CLAN OF THE CAVE BEAR

Would you listen to The Clan of the Cave Bear again? Why?

Yes, this was my first time to listen to Cave Bear. Was a wonderful trip back through memories of what I was doing when I first received Jean Auels new book through my Book Of The Month Club....many years ago. I read every one of them as soon as they were released. Now I want to go back and write down some of the herb and flower uses. I also want to play them for my granddaughters. They are so informative and thought provoking. I love the language used and the lack of obscenity is refreshing, although there is a rather brutal rape scene which would not be good for tender years without a discussion period after the performance it is time framed in. You could listen to this several times and pick up on things that slipped by as there is a lot of detail. A great listen to an all ready well read book that is one of my favorites.

I have discovered a new pastime.

If you could sum up The Clan of the Cave Bear in three words, what would they be?

Interesting, Intriguing, Captivating. (requires minimum 15 words but asks only for 3 to describe it ???)

What other book might you compare The Clan of the Cave Bear to and why?

I don't read many novels so don't really have a comparison.

What does Sandra Burr bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

This series is my first experience with audio books, nothing to compare with.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Although it may have moved a little slow still kept me on the edge of my seat waiting to see (or guess) what was coming next.

Any additional comments?

I was on a long trip with a friend recently and he had book 6 playing and I got interested in the story and adventure so after the trip I had only heard about the first 12 or so chapters I decided to purchased the audio book for book 6 so I could hear the finish.
I listened nearly non stop till the end and enjoyed it so much I felt I needed to know the whole story and bought book 2. Again listened to the whole book over one weekend. Knowing the outcome of book 6 did not distract from my enjoyment of book 1. I could see how she began to learn the things that were important to her and the plot of the book. I really enjoyed hearing Jean's interpretation of what life may of been like for the people of that time and had many thoughts to myself of how someone like me could have coped if that would have been the life I had to live. Loved the book and now on to book 2.

Still wonderful after all of these years.

I haven't read this book in better than two decades but like any old friend, was just as I remembered. I laughed, cried, was indignant, outraged, proud and so many more emotions that I was sad when it ended. Good news is that I have The Mammoth Hunters next!

The performance was good, enjoyable in fact. Would listen to any of the narrator's other books.

If you have never read this book, take a chance with this audible version. You won't be disappointed.

Best of all the Series

Where does The Clan of the Cave Bear rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Awesome vintage story that is worth revisiting again. Loved the detail in this book and the story was unique and had some really good twists in it. The narration was not as good as I hoped, only because her voice is a little irritation. But all in all a good listen.

What did you like best about this story?

It was fresh and unique.