A review by kimberly_b
The Clan of the Cave Bear by Jean M. Auel

2.0

I really expected to like this book, especially after hearing such glowing recommendation from several people who I typically share similar opinions with on books. But, I just couldn't connect with the characters. I found the long passages Auel included describing the flora, fauna, clan customs, etc. long-winded and excessive. Such verbose descriptions made me feel as though I was reading a history or anthropology textbook rather than a novel. There would be maybe a page or two of conversation and then several pages of repetition and description. I'm not sure what other editions are like, but mine had a short list of the main characters in the very beginning with corresponding descriptions that gave away the entire plot! I wonder what intelligent person decided that was a grand idea. Overall, I found Clan of the Cave Bear incredibly over-rated. If it wasn't for the glowing recommends, I would have abandoned it after the first 100 pages. Being the book buying addict that I am, I already own the other four books and now I'll be getting rid of them. It rarely happens that I get an entire series without reading at least the first book, but I thought this series was a sure bet. Boy was I wrong. I hate to do it, but I'm rating it 2 stars--it was "ok".