The Shelters of Stone

Earth's Children, Book 5

By: Jean M. Auel

Narrated by: Sandra Burr

Length: 33 hrs and 18 mins

Publisher's summary

After their epic journey across Europe, Ayla and Jondalar have reached his home, the Ninth Cave of the Zelandonii, the old stone-age settlement in the region known today as southwest France. Jondalar's family greet him warmly, but they are initially wary of the beautiful young woman he has brought back, with her strange accent and her tame wolf and horses.

Ayla has much to learn from the Zelandonii and much to teach them. She is intrigued by their clothes, their crafts, and their home, and wants to learn their customs and the ways that they live, so that she will fit in. She is delighted when she meets Zelandoni, the spiritual leader of the people, a fellow healer with whom she can share medicinal skills and knowledge. The Zelandonii are surprised to learn she was found and raised by the Clan, the ones that they call flatheads and think of as animals, and are skeptical when she tells them they are people.

After the rigors and dangers that have characterized her extraordinary life so far, Ayla yearns for peace and tranquility, to be Jondalar's mate, and to have children. But her unique spiritual gifts cannot be ignored, and even as she gives birth to her eagerly-awaited child, she is coming to accept that she has a greater role to play in the destiny of the Zelandonii.

Listen to more in the Earth's Children series.

©2004 Jean M. Auel (P)2004 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved

Critic reviews

"Burr is adept at reading the detailed descriptions of Cro-Magnon artifacts without losing our interest and at creating varied portrayals of the many characters. A fine performance of a long-awaited book." ( AudioFile)

Why an accent???

Love the series, but Ayla’s new accent was very distracting and unnecessary! Please no accent in the next book!

Narration

I did not care for the narration of Ayla with an accent so strong. Or the horse whinny. But the story is awesome . I did get used to the accent but still think I would have enjoyed it more without those two changes in narration.

A very enjoyable listen

I had read the first books years ago and never finished this one when it got published so I downloaded this to read over a long trip and it was definitely worth it and kept my interest for my long drive as I was interested the entire time to not only the storyline it the details the author went into to captivate my interest and describe the environment so I felt like I was part of the story.

shelters of ston

i love this series because i could really picture what life could have been like in that time frame

great storyteller

love all the books of eath's children series, now have started the last book of the series "the land of painted caves. I think I will go into remission when I finish this one, it's that good.

Ayla's new accent is awful

I have thoroughly enjoyed listening to this series, there's no way I'd have time to sit and read them right now. The story and characters are compelling.

I always check to make sure the narrator hasn't changed in the middle of a series. I was happy to see Sandra Burr listed. Unfortunately, she has added a very strong accent to Ayla's character. I don't get it and it's very distracting and annoying. Ayla has been "foreign" this entire series, why make such an awful accent so prominent now? Ugh, I hate it.

Otherwise, the story is wonderful. I just feel so let down by this narration change. I will power through this ridiculous accent because I want to hear the story.

Best Book

I love this book! From the moment it starts you don't want to stop listening I recommend this book to anyone.

Increased Appreciation

3d time I've experienced this book. The first two were readings, and this, of course, is audible. The book just keeps getting better!

loved it

it's a shame only one movie was made.
I love how she wrote in the theories of early man into her stories

A doctors view

I get swamped with details but compensate by listening at a faster speed. Educational fun