The Plains of Passage

Earth's Children, Book 4

By: Jean M. Auel

Narrated by: Sandra Burr

Length: 32 hrs and 21 mins

Publisher's summary

In The Plains of Passage, orphaned Ayla and wandering Jondalar search for a place on Earth they can call home

Ayla and Jondalar set out on horseback across the windswept grasslands of Ice Age Europe. To the hunter gatherers of their world - who have never seen tame animals - Ayla and Jondalar appear enigmatic and frightening.

The mystery surrounding the woman, who speaks with a strange accent and talks to animals with their own sounds, is heightened by her control of a large, menacing wolf. The tall, yellow-haired man who rides by her side is also held in awe, not only for the magnificent stallion he commands, but for his skill as an artificer of stone tools, and for the new weapon he devises that makes hunting less perilous.

In the course of their cross-continental odyssey, Ayla and Jondalar encounter both savage enemies and brave friends. Together they learn that the vast and unkown world can be difficult and dangerous, but breathtakingly beautiful and enlightening as well.

Listen to more in the Earth's Children series.

©2004 Jean M. Auel (P)2004 Brilliance Audio

Critic reviews

"The long-awaited fourth installment of the Earth's Children series is as warm and inviting as its campfire milieu." ( Publishers Weekly)
"Pure entertainment at its sublime, wholly exhilarating, best." ( Los Angeles Times)
"Thrilling....This magical book is rich in details of all kinds....but it it the depth of the characters' emotional lives....that gives the novel such a stranglehold." ( Cosmopolitan)

The saga continues

Just as good as the others as far as I can tell. People said the story was getting old by this book but I disagree.

A great read

I really enjoy Auel's exploration of the cultures of the people she writes of in her novels. Even if she may be very liberal with her fantasy attributing so many invention s to Ayla and Jandalar , I love hearing about the different people's way of life. For instance, how they used diverse constructions for dwellings and different hunting methods. Plus the spiritual practices and rituals associated with them are very interesting. The two main characters are of course well developed and lovable. they are amazing people, yet flawed too. I recommend this book.

Plains of Passage

Ayla’s story continues on her journey with Jondalar to his home hundreds of miles from her home. Fascinating story of love and life in its simplist form. During an ice age and traveling through that world.

I love Jean Auel's books

I love the old old history mixed with great sex. The research that goes into these books is unbelievable

Treacherous travel a long way home.

This fourth book in the series continues Ayla and Jondolar's exciting trip toward his home. There is a lot of information in these books that places you right there in the ice age with them. There is still quite a bit of repetition that annoyed me, but the story itself is worth it.

great story, very entertaining

I've listened to the entire series, alot of unsuspecting twists. very well written and I have suggested it to all of my friends.

One of the better in the series

I have listened to all of this series, and this was one of the better books. The story remains interesting, and this particular book has more interaction with other peoples.

Great Series

I first read the series as the books came out and reread it every few years. So much research was done to bring the characters and the time period to life.

Rich details of the timeframe

I love what I learn as much as being entertained by a work of fiction that will be remembered, long after I leave this earth.

Thank you Jean for years and multiple reads. I glean more each time I relisten.

Excellent story!

My mother got me reading the first book many years ago. I then read the second some time later. Then re-read both after watching the movie based on the first. Now I have been going through the whole series via audible.

I really love the story, the setting, and the trials. I just wish the author didn’t spend so much time fascinating about sex. I don’t mind sex every once in a while, but the focus seems to detract from the general story line.

Beyond all that, I really love this series. I love the research Auel put into it. As a result, I have picked up flint knapping as a hobby. I am not a hunter, but love learning survival techniques, and this series has inspired me.