The Shelters of Stone

Earth's Children, Book 5

By: Jean M. Auel

Narrated by: Sandra Burr

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.

©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)

Who's the Russian chick?

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes.

What did you like best about this story?

Just enjoy the entire story line.

Would you be willing to try another one of Sandra Burr’s performances?

Ok, here we are in book 5 and Alya suddenly has a Russian accent. A bit disturbing and annoying.

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

Yes, both

Any additional comments?

No.

Beautifully Written-excellent continuation of stor

If, for on other reason that listening to "Earths Song" or "The Mothers Story", listing to his book was a wonderful continuation of the story of Alya's journey towards becoming a woman.

As far as 'Earths Song', author Auel has written a piece of poetry that actually brought tears to my eyes. 'The Others" creation story is one of drama and beauty and I'm tempted to go buy a copy of the book simply to have the words. Sandra Burr does her usual excellent job of narration.

I really don't understand all the negative reviews, especially those 'blaming' Burr for the Slavic accent Alya comes out with in this book..Please know it's the producer who makes this kind of decision, not the narrator. After looking at a map of the last Ice Age, it appears that Alya was raised in what are now the Slavic countries plus there is so much commenting in the book about her unusual accent, I believe the producer decided to let Alya grow up and gave her an unusual accent to go along with all the commenting. Made sense to me and it's surely no reason to miss this book. I also have never found the repetition of the story to be a personal difficulty to listen to. Each time they tell the story it's interesting and meaningfull.

I have learned so much about ancient history, the ice ages, glaciers and living in a world so very different than ours..this series is almost a primer on wildcrafting, living off the land and survival. Theres no way I couldn't finish this series..I've enjoyed watching Alya grow up since the first book was publishers and now on Audible.

What a pleasure.

Wonderful listen!

Only thing I didn’t like was that Ayla’s voice changed in these books, but after a while you get used to it.

loved the book

wish you had kept Ayla's voice the same throughout the entire series, changed to almost a British accent

LOVED IT!

I have read the paper book series and just finished listening to it on Audio. I would listen to it late into the night, while I was driving, and while doing chores.
i could not put it down. I found it addicting.
I do hope she continues the series OR writes a similar, yet different series.