Scan barcode
A review by chirson
The Mammoth Hunters by Jean M. Auel
2.0
So much of this volume is fascinating for analysis! The sexual mores, the way this novel features disability, how its central theme is who counts as human, how group status is created... It's fascinating, and the scene about Rydag's humanity, where Ayla stands up for what's right and rejects the claim of Mamutoi to have a standing to judge her or the Clan's status as human, actually brought tears to my eyes.
In addition, this book sees the return of Baby (<3), a new addition to the household - Wolf, and a few delightful characters.
Alas, it *also* features Ranec/Ayla/Jondalar triangle bullshit. And by that I mean, Ayla losing her self-respect whenever Jondalar is being awful to her, Jondalar existing, and Ranec serving the ever unfun role of the essentially good guy our protagonist just is not that into. There's a lot of bad there, and the sex descriptions are as bad as we're used to.
Still, it was a very relaxing, pleasant read, and a return to a world that I find quite fascinating - plus, I enjoyed livetweeting my reading almost as much as I did talking about the series to a friend who read it in translation in the (I think) 1990s.
In addition, this book sees the return of Baby (<3), a new addition to the household - Wolf, and a few delightful characters.
Alas, it *also* features Ranec/Ayla/Jondalar triangle bullshit. And by that I mean, Ayla losing her self-respect whenever Jondalar is being awful to her, Jondalar existing, and Ranec serving the ever unfun role of the essentially good guy our protagonist just is not that into. There's a lot of bad there, and the sex descriptions are as bad as we're used to.
Still, it was a very relaxing, pleasant read, and a return to a world that I find quite fascinating - plus, I enjoyed livetweeting my reading almost as much as I did talking about the series to a friend who read it in translation in the (I think) 1990s.