The Land of Painted Caves: Earth's Children Series

Repetitious, tedious and quite disappointing. This book is but a weak echo of the previous books. And just like an echo it repeats itself over and over again. If you buy this be prepared listen to a dreary amount of ???mother songs???, explanations of what happened in previous books and descriptions of cave paintings. I do not mind listening to Auel describing them going about their business and doing everyday things like drinking herb tea and weaving baskets, in fact I quite like it. But really, what is the plot here? Where are we going with this? At the end of the book there is an attempt at a romantic twist that is once again but a weak echo of something that happened in one of the previous books. We briefly meet some cavemen criminals, but it is handled so fast and is such random part of the story that it might as well have been left out. I guess you could say that Aylas education to becoming a shaman is the plot here, but then why is her touring the painted caves the only part of it we really hear about?

There seems to be two narrations available. This one is very well done, but since the narrator strikes me as an elderly British woman I was deathly afraid of the explicit sex scenes I have come to expect from Auel. Thankfully there were fewer than usual.

Having practically grown up with the Earth Series I was so completely disenchanted with this final sequel of an excellent series. The author has just rehashed the first 4 books with absolutely nothing new until the last couple of chapters. The Mothers Song is repeated so many times, I could probably recite it word perfect in my sleep. Ayla (who was my inspiration when I was younger) came across as a 2 dimensional personality, I was even beginning to get irritated with her. So buyer beware, there is not much new over 30 hours, but if you need help getting to sleep this is perfect.

I was so looking forward to this book, what a disappointment it was repetitive and just didn't go any where. What happen to Ayla's spirit? Unless you really feel you need to read the last book in this series save you money don't buy it.

I was so looking forward to the final series of the Earth Children series only to be disappointed, it was so repetitive, rehashing what was in the previous books, why couldn't Ayla meet up with her son or the clan again. If your thinking about purchasing this book save your money.

What else was disappointing about this book was the narrator, one point in the book she slipped into a cockney accent, it was only for a split second but was weird, I kept thinking she should be reading Enid Blyton series not these ones, please bring back Sandra Burr.

A most disappointing book.

I wish I had taken note of the comments of other readers and saved my money. The endless repetition and lack of plot was a huge let down after all these years of reading Auel's books. She should recall all copies , apologise and go back to the drawing board (or should that be "bored")As regards the "Mothers Song" you can't help groaning the minute you hear someone launch into it again, and again and again and again and again and again and........!.I feel sorry for the lady who narrated the book as it can't be good for her reputation.That's Auel folks!

I was a huge fan of Ayla, but this book put and end to it! If I never hear the "Mothers Song" again it will be too soon. This song is repeated word for word in entirety about 6 times. (The total duration of this song must be about 5 minutes!) About 60% of this book must be dedicated to the Mothers Song and long boring descriptions of each Mammoth and Bison painting encountered in each cave they visit). Oh and another 15% of the content is dedicated to the 3 minute reciting of ties during the greetings. I eventually wished that Ayla would stop meeting new people so that we could just get on with the story!

I will never read another one of Auel's books, if she is ever published again after this shockingly bad performance!

I can't believe this is the final book in what was an interesting and most readable series. I was immensely disappointed. I actually cries it was so bad.

A really good book, but you have to read the full series. I read them about 20 years ago and this was a long awaited finale!

It would have been better if it wasn't so slow.

The story is so slow, there are so many possibilities....Clan of the Cave Bear was so good and the next few books, then this one just rambles on an on.

Some one that has not read the first story.

Not gone in to little household and baby holding details,
but have a confrontation, meeting and understanding with the Clan.

If the voice would have been a younger one.

Change the reader of the book, and do not make it sound like a sunday dinner meeting.