I can’t believe that this series is finally over. I can actually claim to be one of those readers who loved ‘Clan of the Cave Bear’ back in 1980 when it was first released. I devoured the first four books as quickly as they were printed, but when it came to book 5, I had too many other reviewing duties, so I purchased it, and let it sit on the shelf until there was time. A year later, I loaned it to a friend, and never saw it again. So imagine my surprise when I unpacked the Grand Finale! My friend has moved interstate, so it was quick, download the ebook and get started catching up the story.
In this, the final book of the series, Ayla is living with her husband’s cave and training to become a spiritual leader. As part of her training she is expected to visit a series of sacred sites, mostly painted caves. This is the story of that journey, not only the physical journey around what is now southern France, but also the spiritual journey of discovery, and the personal journey building trust and friendships. The book is primarily descriptive without much action or adventure, at least until the last 100 or so pages.
That lack of action was fine with me. Ayla is settled, starting a family, and therefore it is not appropriate for her to be out taming lions and wolves, or searching for romance. Life is supposed to settle down in middle age, and at this time in history 20 was certainly middle age. I enjoy historical fiction enough that the slow pace of this book was just fine.
But I strongly suggest that this book not be read as your introduction to Ayla’s story. Yes there is enough backstory contained in this to explain what is happening, but it would be very unfair to the magnificent character that Auel has created.
Auel has been absolutely painstaking in her research for these books. In fact she is now recognized as one of the world’s experts on this period of pre-history, the time when the Neanderthal and Cro-Magnon humans were both competing for limited resources. Her expertise literally leaps off the page of this book, so be prepared to learn as you read.
It is always sad to come to the end of a favourite series.
