Summary
The Clan of the Cave Bear, published in 1980, is the first book in Jean M. Auel's Earth's Children series. This acclaimed work of prehistoric fiction takes readers back about 19,000 years to explore the interactions between Neanderthals and Cro-Magnons. The author spent years studying archaeology, paleontology, and anthropology to create a rich, believable world. Nominated as one of America's best-loved novels by PBS's The Great American Read, it has captivated audiences with its vivid portrayal of Ice Age life.
Plot
In The Clan of the Cave Bear, a young Cro-Magnon girl named Ayla is orphaned by an earthquake. After wandering alone and surviving a cave lion attack, she is discovered by a Neanderthal clan. Despite her different appearance, the clan's medicine woman, Iza, and the shaman, Creb, decide to adopt her. Ayla struggles to fit in with the clan's customs and way of life, which are vastly different from her own.
As Ayla grows, she demonstrates unique abilities and a strong will that often puts her at odds with clan traditions. She learns to become a skilled hunter and healer, breaking taboos against women using weapons. Iza trains her as a medicine woman to give her status within the clan. However, Ayla's presence and actions create tension, particularly with Broud, the son of the clan leader who sees her as a threat.
Broud's hatred for Ayla intensifies as they mature. He eventually rapes her, resulting in Ayla's pregnancy. Despite the difficulties and potential consequences, Ayla chooses to keep the child. She gives birth to a son, Durc, who has mixed Cro-Magnon and Neanderthal features. The clan initially views Durc as deformed, but Ayla fiercely protects and cares for him.
The story concludes with a shift in clan leadership. Broud becomes the new leader and immediately orders a death curse on Ayla. Another earthquake strikes, killing Creb. Faced with exile, Ayla is forced to leave her son behind with the clan and sets out alone to find her own people. The novel ends with Ayla's departure, setting the stage for her continued journey in the subsequent books of the Earth's Children series.
Themes
Clash of cultures and adaptability
Survival in a harsh prehistoric world
Gender roles and societal expectations
Nature of prejudice and discrimination
Power of knowledge and innovation
Importance of family and belonging
Coming of age and self-discovery
Setting
The Clan of the Cave Bear is set in prehistoric Europe during the Ice Age, approximately 18,000 years BCE. This era marks the tail end of the Neanderthal presence and the emergence of Cro-Magnon humans. The harsh climate and advancing glaciers form a challenging backdrop for the story's characters.
The novel takes place across a vast geographical area, encompassing what would become modern-day Europe. While specific locations are not named, Jean M. Auel describes diverse landscapes including steppes, forests, and mountainous regions. The primary setting is the cave discovered by Ayla, which becomes home to the Neanderthal clan.
Within this broader setting, Auel creates a rich, detailed world of Neanderthal culture. The clan's cave serves as a microcosm of prehistoric society, showcasing its customs, spiritual beliefs, and daily routines. This intimate portrayal of clan life contrasts with the wider, often hostile Ice Age environment, highlighting the struggle for survival in a world on the cusp of significant evolutionary change.
Characters
Ayla: The protagonist, a young Cro-Magnon girl adopted by a Neanderthal clan. Intelligent and adaptable, Ayla struggles to fit in while maintaining her unique identity. She becomes a skilled healer and hunter, challenging clan traditions. Her differences both fascinate and threaten the clan members.
Iza: The clan's medicine woman, who adopts Ayla. Compassionate and wise, Iza teaches Ayla healing skills and clan customs. She serves as a maternal figure and protector for Ayla throughout her childhood.
Creb: The clan's Mog-ur (spiritual leader) and Iza's brother. Despite his physical deformities, Creb is highly respected for his wisdom and spiritual powers. He develops a close bond with Ayla and becomes a father figure to her.
Broud: Son of the clan leader and Ayla's main antagonist. Arrogant and cruel, Broud resents Ayla's presence and abilities. His hatred for her grows over time, leading to violent confrontations and power struggles within the clan.
Brun: The clan leader, a fair and pragmatic ruler who allows Ayla to stay with the clan despite initial misgivings. He struggles to maintain clan traditions while adapting to new challenges.
Uba: Iza's daughter and Ayla's adoptive sister. She learns healing skills alongside Ayla and becomes a close companion.
Durc: Ayla's son, born of mixed Cro-Magnon and Neanderthal heritage. His unique appearance causes both fascination and concern within the clan.
Goov: The apprentice Mog-ur who succeeds Creb. He is more accepting of Ayla than some other clan members.
Quick facts
The Clan of the Cave Bear marked the debut of Jean M. Auel's Earth's Children series.
Auel spent years researching prehistoric life, including studying archaeological findings and learning survival skills, to write the novel.
The Clan of the Cave Bear is set roughly 19,000 years ago during the last Ice Age.
The novel explores the interactions between Neanderthals and Cro-Magnons through the story of Ayla, a Cro-Magnon girl adopted by a Neanderthal clan.
Auel originally planned the series to be a trilogy but eventually expanded it to six books.
The Clan of the Cave Bear was adapted into a film in 1986, starring Daryl Hannah as Ayla.
Auel's depiction of Neanderthal culture, including their use of sign language, was based on scientific theories of the time.
The novel touches on themes of gender roles, cultural differences, and the nature of humanity.
The Clan of the Cave Bear has sold more than 20 million copies worldwide.
About the Author
Jean M. Auel is an acclaimed American author of prehistoric fiction. She is best known for her Earth's Children series, which explores the customs, beliefs, and interactions between Cro-Magnon and Neanderthal peoples some 19,000 years ago.
Born in 1936 in Chicago, Illinois, Auel worked as a circuit-board designer and technical writer, among various jobs, and earned an MBA from the University of Portland. In 1977, she began studying the Ice Age for her first book, The Clan of the Cave Bear. To enhance her understanding of prehistoric life, she joined survival classes and learned primitive skills such as fire-making and leather tanning. After the success of her debut novel, she traveled to the sites of prehistoric ruins and relics across Europe and consulted with experts in various fields. With a commitment to authenticity in her fiction, she went on to expand her Earth’s Children series into six novels, published between 1980 and 2011.
Auel’s novels have sold more than 45 million copies worldwide, with translations into numerous languages. Her extensive research and attention to detail have earned her respect from noted scientists, archaeologists, and anthropologists around the world. In 2008, Auel was named an Officer of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French government.
