Reviews tagging 'Violence'

The Clan of the Cave Bear, by Jean M. Auel

12 reviews

gdevlin's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional sad tense slow-paced

• 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

This book was a tricky one. The general world building was great and the concept was really interesting. I loved the detailed descriptions of how the people use nature to survive. 
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 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Violence, Toxic relationship, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual violence, and Sexism

readrabbitread's review against another edition

adventurous emotional reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A

4.0

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Content Warnings

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

kbusemeyer's review against another edition

adventurous dark reflective sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

I heard about this book on a podcast so I kind of knew what to expect but also didn’t. It’s an interesting concept although hard to read about women being so submissive and having been bred to be that submissive.

I did like seeing Ayla develop and learn to think on her own but also learn the Clan ways from Iza. Her relationship with Iza and Creb was really special.

Spoiler

The whole thing with Broad was really terrible, like I’m glad she stood up for herself somewhat and I hope we get the redemption of her getting to see her clan again and then finally rebelling against Broussard. Brun was an interesting character and it was nice to read his thoughts on the matter and see how Druc was accepted and all the trials that went into that.

Auel is a very descriptive writer, there were lots of sections that it felt really well researched to know about how to describe making a tool from flint, for example. I think this book was a good way to pass time, not life-changing but is interesting.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Misogyny, Violence, and Rape

Minor: Miscarriage, Infertility, Bullying, and Child death

alyssasaurus's review against another edition

dark slow-paced

• 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

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Content Warnings

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

sba's review against another edition

adventurous emotional sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Death, Sexual assault, Animal death, Violence, and Miscarriage

bbymac's review against another edition

challenging dark inspiring medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Pregnancy, Rape, Violence, Sexual content, Sexual assault, Miscarriage, Death of parent, and Death

Moderate: Ableism, Adult/minor relationship, and Pedophilia

Minor: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, Infidelity, Misogyny, and Pedophilia

It isn't mentioned until later in the series, but the main character Ayla is very young. Between the ages of 12-14 during the climax of the story.

short_circuit's review against another edition

adventurous emotional medium-paced

• 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? It's complicated

4.0

i really, really liked this book! following the life of ayla as she grows up amongst the clan was quite an experience. the way this is written is interesting; the characters aren’t as advanced mentally as you or i, but the way the author has written them makes us able to understand most of what they’re saying. please heed the content warnings though, they’re there for a good reason. i look forward to reading the next book!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Child death, Death, and Rape

Moderate: Death, Death of parent, and Xenophobia

lindabeth's review against another edition

dark informative slow-paced

• 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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Domestic abuse, Violence, and Sexism

jmoi's review against another edition

adventurous emotional informative mysterious sad slow-paced

• 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

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Content Warnings

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

wordsofclover's review against another edition

adventurous challenging slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Sexual assault, Animal death, and Violence