suneaters's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Spoiler
It’s clear he will rape her and Durc will be their son with Cro-Magnon and Neanderthal traits.Some of my fellow reviewers mentioned Auel’s writing style. I found it interesting as an imagining of life in pre-history, but yes some of the flower and plant descriptions were a bit much and comes off as textbook-like. I can see that putting off some readers. It also does start off slow and only picks up later.
Once the story does pick up, I was deeply invested in the characters, especially Iza, Creb, Uba, and Ayla. Brun is a good leader character and our antagonist Broud is positively loathsome, even before
Spoiler
he raped Ayla. But Durc is adorable. There is the bit where Ayla is excited to have a baby to help her cope with the rape. I understand this can be off-putting, but to me it is how she copes. She wants a baby and rejects the idea Broud helped make him. It isn’t a consolation prize to her for putting up with him, but a miracle.Another embarrassing review mentions no LGBT characters. As a homosexual, true homosexuality is very rare. Did you read this and wish some poor homosexual were in this story being raped? Did you read Creb being described as not a true man for being disabled and agree? Would him being “not a man” have made the story better? It betrays a total lack of understanding of the true purpose of “third genders”—to other homosexual or otherwise “abnormal” men. No woman would be allowed to opt out of her sex based role.
The story could be better and I agree the ending is very much for a sequel.
Spoiler
If Auel ended the book well, Broud would have died at the cave-in and Ayla would have been able to stay to raise her son.Graphic: Domestic abuse, Pregnancy, and Animal death
Moderate: Ableism, Miscarriage, Rape, and Sexism
gdevlin's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
However, the writing is very slow and at times is far too descriptive. I found myself skimming sections describing things I felt just didn’t matter.
Also, the rape scenes are completely unnecessary. It followed the typical fantasy trope of rape being a plot device and providing character growth for a woman which I hate. It was incredibly graphic. The behaviour of the clan clearly showed Ayla’s alienation, the raping wasn’t necessary to add on top. It added nothing to the story. I think it’s meant to provide some kind of sexual awakening when she meets Jondalar in the second book and realises that sex is good. But that would be achieved anyway because it could have been ‘no one wanted me and no someone does’.
I also hate that she stops being effected by being literally raped just because she knows she has a child and is happy about it. Really sick
Graphic: Rape, Violence, Toxic relationship, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual violence, and Sexism
tipsysmudgeheidi's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Graphic: Pregnancy, Rape, Cannibalism, Death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
readrabbitread's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
4.0
Moderate: Bullying, Emotional abuse, Child abuse, Sexual violence, Violence, Physical abuse, Sexism, Animal death, Death, Death of parent, Misogyny, Pregnancy, Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment
stinkycheeseboy's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Moderate: Sexism, Rape, Pregnancy, Infertility, Domestic abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Death of parent, Miscarriage, Animal death, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
bella_in_bookland's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
Graphic: Rape and Sexism
Moderate: Miscarriage
alyssasaurus's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Blood, Infertility, Miscarriage, Rape, Death, Death of parent, Animal death, Child death, Misogyny, Pregnancy, Classism, Ableism, Sexism, Sexual violence, Abortion, Racism, and Violence
bookishyogini's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Ableism, Physical abuse, Sexism, Misogyny, Rape, Cannibalism, Death of parent, and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Drug use, Grief, and Pregnancy
Minor: Cannibalism and Miscarriage
lindabeth's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
Graphic: Rape, Domestic abuse, Violence, and Sexism
jmoi's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Moderate: Abortion, Ableism, Violence, Terminal illness, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, Animal death, Blood, Cannibalism, Sexual assault, Sexism, Xenophobia, Animal cruelty, and Bullying
Minor: Grief, Incest, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Rape, Infertility, Misogyny, Pregnancy, and Racism