Category: Historical Fiction

book reviews of historical fiction books

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Review: The Winter Ghosts by Kate Mosse

Book review for The Winter Ghosts by Kate Mosse, an historical fiction novel set in the French Pyrenees.

book cover for The Winter Ghosts by Kate Mosse
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Synopsis

Ten years after the end of the Great War, Freddie Watson is still cannot get over his elder brother’s death. On his doctor’s recommendation, he’s driving around France, going where his nose leads him. Now, he’s in the French Pyrenees.

After crashing his car during a snowstorm, Freddie makes his way to a small, isolated village called Nulle. That evening, he attends la fete de Saint-Etienne at the town hall. There, he meets Fabrissa, a beautiful young woman who vanishes at dawn.

Looking for Fabrissa occupies Freddie’s every thought as he recovers from a fever and organises car repairs. Following his instincts, he uncovers a cave in the hill above Nulle and, with it, the village’s secret history.

Review

The Winter Ghosts was not what I was expecting. From the blurb on the back of the book, I thought Freddie would meet Fabrissa early on and spend most of the book solving the 700-year-old mystery. However, Freddie doesn’t meet Fabrissa until half-way through the book, and uncovers the mystery fairly quickly afterwards.

The descriptions of the countryside that Freddie travels through were so richly detailed, I felt like I was there. The French Pyrenees sounded so mysterious and intriguing. It contributed greatly to the overall atmosphere and made the landscape its own character.

The writing was poetic but clear and evocative. It really helped to build the atmosphere. The whole book had a cold and eerie feeling about it, with a quiet build-up of suspense and a touch of creepiness. I enjoyed the painfully honest, introspective tone it had.

I loved how brilliantly The Winter Ghosts depicts Freddie’s grief and suffering, and his mental struggles. It was so poignant. Something about the writing conveyed the essence of Freddie’s motivation and inability to move on. I could feel the weight of his grief and how broken he was.

The room was on the first floor, overlooking the street, with a pleasant enough outlook. A large window with freshly painted shutters, a single bed with heavy counterpane, a washstand and an armchair. Plain, clean, anonymous. The sheets were cold to the touch. We suited one another, the room and I.

Freddie was a deeply engaging, likeable character that I could sympathise with. His sadness was just so consuming, I really pitied him. However, I think this would have become a bit annoying if the book had been any longer. As it was, he was realistic and likeable, and I could really root for him and his success.

While the beginning of The Winter Ghosts was rather tedious, the ending was satisfying. Much of it had a dreamlike quality, and I found the story somewhat haunting. 

Conclusion

Have you read The Winter Ghosts? What did you think? Do you agree with what I’ve said about it? Let me know in the comments.

If you haven’t, you can buy it at the following stores:

Waterstones
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Review: The River of No Return by Bee Ridgeway

Review of The River of No Return by Bee Ridgeway, a time-travelling historical fiction novel set primarily in Regency England.

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Synopsis

In the early 1800s, Nick Davenant was the Marquess of Blackdown. Then he almost died at the battle of Salamanca but instead woke in 2003. For ten years, he has been cared for by The Guild, a mysterious organisation that provides new lives for time travellers.

When The Guild discovers that the future is turning back on itself, they break their own rules and send Nick back to 1815. He resumes his 19th century life easily enough, but struggles with following The Guild’s instructions.

Meanwhile, Julia (Nick’s neighbour and love interest) is struggling with her grandfather’s death. Soon, she is entangled in the manipulation of time and hiding her abilities is all she can do to keep herself safe. As Nick untangles the relationship between the Guild and their rivals (the Ofan), he and Julia grow closer.

Review

The River of No Return is a thought-provoking book with lots of twists and turns. There is some romance, but most of the story is about time travel and its consequences. It has adventure, passion, intrigue, and one crazy nobleman. The world was complex, clearly presented, and believable.

I loved the constant confusion over which side in the Ofan vs Guild conflict was good. Was The Guild good and the Ofan bad? Or was The Guild bad and the Ofan good? The Guild said they were keeping members ignorant for their own good, but is that really the right thing to do?

Nick was an intriguing character. He was intelligent, caring, and sexy (but not overwhelmingly so). I particularly enjoyed the internal struggles between his modern ideas and what is expected of him in the 19th century.

He could feel the ghostly marquess building up a head of steam, could even taste the aristocratic outrage in his mouth: rusted metal. It must have been that man’s outburst that Clare was expecting. He let his gaze rest on his elder sister … His anger dissipated as fast as it had built. ‘It should have been yours anyway,’ he said … ‘You are the eldest and, by God, I will sign it over to you in life as I did in death. Blackdown shall remain yours. It always should have been.’

I spent much of the book waiting for Nick and Julia to talk to each other about time-travel. They’re the two main characters, but don’t actually spend much time together or communicate about anything meaningful. This creates misconceptions between them and makes their romance feel underdeveloped.

The ending left me dissatisfied. Sure, Nick and Julia get their happily ever after, but so many other threads of the story remain unresolved. For instance, the mystery of Mr Mibbs isn’t solved, and Mr Mibbs himself has disappeared. Also, no one’s managed to mend the future or work out why it’s behaving so peculiarly. I hope Bee Ridgeway is working on a sequel.

Conclusion

Have you read The River of No Return? What did you think? Do you agree with what I’ve said about it? Let me know in the comments.

If you haven’t, you can buy it at the following stores:

Waterstones
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Review: The White Mare by Jules Watson

Review of The White Mare, an epic historical fiction novel by Jules Watson set in 1st century Scotland.

Cover of The White Mare by Jules Watson
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Synopsis

After the king of the Epidii dies, Rhiann has to marry and produce an heir. If she refuses to marry, her people could lose their position and freedom.  However, a violent event in her past has left her terrified of marriage, and she only agrees to marry out of duty.

The man the council choose for her is Eremon, an exiled Irish prince. Eremon is in Alba to make allies and earn a name for himself. Roman advances into Alba provide him with the perfect opportunity to do this.

Over time, Eremon and Rhiann come to love each other. However, their respective pasts keep them from doing anything about it. They also visit other powerful clans and continue the fight against the Romans.

Review

The White Mare transported me to 1st century Scotland. I really felt like I could see what life was like back then. It mixes a little bit of magic in with the known history perfectly and fills gaps in the record brilliantly. I particularly enjoyed the descriptions of the various settings, like the roman fortifications and iron age strongholds.

A massive ditch had been delved, shouldered by sweeping banked walls three times the height of a mounted man. The bank was then crowned by a timber palisade and walkway, and lookout towers, reared from the breastwork every thirty paces. The oaken gate, the width of four chariots, was flanked by two sturdy gatetowers. Over it all, banners flew, embroidered with the eagle totem, and the posts they hung from were capped with gold so they shone bright in the sun.

Inside was the familiar jumble of squat roundhouses and ramshackle sheds, but everything seemed larger and noisier and more frenzied than at Dunadd. The air or prosperity was tangible. Wooden walkways kept feet free of the mud. House walls were bright with colour, and hung with banners and trophy skulls. The thatch roofs were new and golden.

Rhiann was almost annoyingly stubborn, particularly when it comes to trusting others. However, her difficult past and dedication to her people makes her stubbornness (and the fear it stems from) understandable. While much of the tension wouldn’t exist if Rhiann had just communicated with Eremon a bit better, I really couldn’t blame her for her secrecy.

The romance between Rhiann and Eremon was so beautiful. It was good to read a romance that was built over time, rather than seemingly appearing out of nowhere. I also liked how it didn’t overwhelm the main historical storyline.

I loved how the story had so many storylines woven together. Aside from the main story about Rhiann and Eremon, there’s Catilin’s history and her romance with Conaire. Then there’s the Romans building their wall and Samana’s alliance with Agricola.

Conclusion

Have you read The White Mare? What did you think? Do you agree with what I’ve said about it? Let me know in the comments.

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Review: The Last Hours by Minette Walters

Review of The Last Hours by Minette Walters, an historical fiction novel set in 14th century England during the Black Death.

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Synopsis

The Black Death has arrived in the English port of Melcombe and is spreading north through Devonshire. Contrary to the church’s recommendations, Lady Anne takes the people of Develish within the manor’s moat.

Initially, things are good. No one within the compound sickens. The one man from her absent husband’s retinue that everyone likes returns healthy. Then, with food stores running low, the workers grow bored with nothing to do and no news from outside.

Tensions erupt when a teenaged boy, Jacob, is found dead of a stab injury. Having made some discrete inquiries, Lady Anne’s young steward, Thaddeus, takes a group of Jacob’s contemporaries into the outside world. Seeing the destruction around them makes these young men think of their futures and forces them to grow-up quick.

Review

I found The Last Hours completely unputdownable. It enjoyably captured many aspects of the period around the Black Death. These included widespread ignorance, fear, and superstition. I particularly enjoyed looking at how the shift in power and new beginnings caused by the Death affected this community.

The characters are well thought out, realistic, and fascinating people. Some are strong (like Lady Anne and Thaddeus) and take charge of the situation, while others struggle with change. The religious and moral conflicts within the community seemed real, like I was watching real people interact with each other.

I liked Lady Anne. She’s fair, compassionate, clever, and understands her serfs. However, she is a bit too much like a modern woman. She has modern ideas around hygiene and treats the serfs like equals.

‘I’ve never been on a demesne where serfs were educated, milady. The practice is an unusual one. A villein’s role in life is to labour for his master, not steal time in order to learn letters.’ [Said by a clerk hired by Lady Anne’s husband]

Eleanor (Lady Anne’s daughter) was horrible, but I liked the conflict she added; without her, there would be very little story and the book would suck. I also liked how she gained layers and became more understandable as the story progresses.

I hope the next book resolves Eleanor’s storyline (and maybe brings some much-needed change to her character). I would also like a better reason for Thaddeus’s ramble through the countryside (other than obtaining information and supplies. They were away too long just for that).

Other than that (and a slightly ponderous middle), The Last Hours is a fantastic book. I’m looking forward to reading the sequel.

Conclusion

Have you read The Last Hours? What did you think? Do you agree with what I’ve said about it? Let me know in the comments.

If you haven’t, you can buy it at Book Depository (they have free international shipping!) or Waterstones (free delivery on UK orders over £25, will ship internationally).

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Review: 11.22.63 by Stephen King

Book review of 11.22.63, a time-travel historical fiction novel by Stephen King, based around the JFK assassination.

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Synopsis

Divorced high-school English teacher Jake Epping is marking essays when he receives a strange phone-call from the owner of his favourite diner.

Years ago, Al discovered that his pantry contains a portal to 1958. Over the years, he has made hundreds of journeys into the past, worked out some basic rules of time-travel, and decides to stop the JFK assassination. Unfortunately, he became too unwell to complete his quest and had to return to 2011.

So Jake takes up the baton and makes his own journey to the past. While waiting for that fateful day, Jake takes up a teaching job in Jodie, Texas. In Jodie, he falls in love with beautiful, recently divorced librarian Sadie Dunhill. Their relationship is strained when he moves to Dallas to spy on Lee Harvey Oswald and cannot tell her what he’s doing.

Review

I am usually not a fan of Stephen King. Afterall, his novels are mostly of the thriller/horror type. However, 11.22.63 is more of an alternate reality historical fiction. There is a bit of violence, but nothing too terrifying.

I didn’t like how the author talked about various historical characters as if the reader already knew who they were. This seems perfectly reasonable for ‘big’ characters (like JFK). But who on earth is Frank Anicetti?

The characters were all so realistic and vivid that it made the fantastic things that happen to them believable. Each person was detailed and had their own flaws. I thought this was excellently done; it really helped with the whole suspension of disbelief thing.  

Jake and Sadie’s romance was so lovely. There’s so much honesty and tenderness in their relationship, but it wasn’t at all sappy.

I liked how the book explored time-travel and its consequences. The little details of the past restarting each time someone goes back and each trip lasting two minutes were clever. However, I thought the alternate future bit with reality destroying itself due to the timeline changes was a bit over-the-top.

I loved how both the positive and negative aspects of the settings were shown. The historical time may be exciting and dreamy, but its problems (such as segregation) are included. Even horrible places (like Derry) have little bits of beauty shown (such as those children practicing a lindy-hop dance).

Conclusion

Have you read 11.22.63? What did you think? Do you agree with what I’ve said about it? Let me know in the comments.

If you haven’t, you can buy it at Book Depository (they have free international shipping!) or Waterstones (free delivery on UK orders over £25, will ship internationally).

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Review: Tapestry by Fiona McIntosh

Review of Tapestry by Fiona McIntosh, a time travelling historical fiction set in the 18th century and 1970s.

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Synopsis

Following an incident that leaves her fiancé in a coma, Jane travels to Australia feeling that, somehow, it will help him. After climbing Ayers Rock (Uluru), she wakes up to find herself inhabiting the body of Winifred Maxwell, Countess of Nithsdale. Winifred’s husband, William, has been imprisoned in the Tower of London for his part in the failed 1715 Jacobite Rising.

Acting as Winifred, Jane must travel to London and save William. If she succeeds, her 20th century fiancé will wake-up. Heavy snow and Winifred’s physical frailty work against her, but she is helped by a man called Julius Sackville and Winifred’s friends in London.

Once her quest is over, she has to make some difficult decisions. Does she still want to marry her 20th century fiancée? What about the man she fell in love with in 1715?

Review

The Earl of Nithsdale’s escape from the Tower of London is a fantastic story. I suspect that many authors would write it as straight historical fiction, but adding the mystical time-travel element gave Tapestry a unique angle.

I thought Jane was a strong, courageous, and likeable heroine. However, climbing Uluru as she did, with no water in the middle of the day and with a storm threatening, was unbelievably stupid. I understand that she was driven by worry for her fiancée, and without it there would be no story. It just seemed out of character for such an intelligent person.

The way that Jane spent most of the book in Winifred’s body was confusing at times. Jane does and thinks things, but does things as Winifred and is called ‘Winifred’ by everyone around her. There’s two people in one body – very confusing.

Traquair House was in a state of flux as Winifred prepared for her journey to London. Jane had begged off food and company that evening, desperate to have time alone to think.

I liked how the story occasionally jumped back to the 1970s. I particularly enjoyed the way these ‘jumps’ incorporated the points of view of different people, like Jane’s parents and the nurse who cares for Jane’s fiancée.

Tapestry ended well. For the first 70 or 80 percent of the book, it was average. While the prologue was interesting, it didn’t make any sense until the executions scene. The set-up (getting to know Jane’s life and personality) was effective but long and boring. But the ending, with the escape and return to the 1970s was fantastic.

Conclusion

Have you read Tapestry? What did you think? Do you agree with what I’ve said about it? Let me know in the comments.

If you haven’t, you can buy it at Book Depository (they have free international shipping!).

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Review: The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett

Review of The Pillars of the Earth, an epic historical fiction novel set in 12th century England by Ken Follett

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Synopsis

When the cathedral at Kingsbridge burns down, the newly appointed prior hires Tom Builder to manage the rebuild. In order to pay for the new cathedral, Prior Philip asks King Stephen for the rights to take stone from a nearby quarry and wood from a local forest. This puts him at odds with Bishop Waleran, who wants the wealth now owned by the priory for his own projects.

In the secular world, England is embroiled in a civil war over who the crown rightfully belongs to. Small-time knight Percy Hamleigh hears that the Earl of Shiring is conspiring against King Stephen and attacks the Earl’s castle. Percy’s son (William) is bitter over the Earl’s daughter (Aliena) breaking their betrothal and delights in leaving her destitute.

Kingsbridge prospers under Prior Philip’s capable leadership. Tom Builder’s family prospers as the cathedral grows. Aliena also prospers, as she has become a successful wool merchant and singlehandedly funded her brother’s goal of retaking the earldom. This angers William, who tries several times to destroy the town and steal the income for his own lands.

Review

The Pillars of the Earth has a slow start. It promises to be a book about the building of a cathedral in the fictional town of Kingsbridge. However, I was disappointed by the first couple of hundred pages as there was no cathedral and it wasn’t even set in Kingsbridge. Even once the story arrives in Kingsbridge, there seems to be no need to build a cathedral.

I enjoyed the ongoing conflicts between Prior Philip and Bishop Waleran, and between the Hamleighs and Aliena. They have such ‘on-sight’ rivalries that affected their actions (and much of the story). I was particularly amused by the way these rivalries mirrored the conflict between King Stephen and the Empress Matilda in the 12th century.

I also enjoyed how the relationships between the characters change over time. For example, when Aliena and Prior Philip first meet, Philip helps Aliena and they become good friends. Then Philip prevents Aliena and Jack from living together, and their relationship sours. This seems more like real life than the always consistent relationships I’m used to seeing in novels.

I loved how many various threads there are to this story. There’s the tale of Jonathan being abandoned by his family and raised by the monks. I enjoyed the mystery of what happened to Jack Shareburg and why. Then there’s the story of the earldom of Shiring and the competition between Aliena’s family and the Hamleighs.

Occasionally, one of the characters will use a word that doesn’t sound right in the historical setting. I understand that no one spoke modern English in the 12th century, but some words just don’t fit. I would give some examples, but they’re too crude for my liking.

Guided by a Stone-Mason (Complementary reading)

While reading The Pillars of the Earth, I kept a book called’ Guided by a Stone-Mason: The Cathedrals, Abbeys and Churches of Britain Unveiled’ by Thomas Maude close at hand.

I found it difficult to picture where different parts of the cathedral were located, and the technical terms were difficult to follow. Guided by a Stone-Mason helped me with this. It also has information on other aspects of cathedral building (like types of stone) if you’re interested.

Conclusion

Have you read The Pillars of the Earth? What did you think? Do you agree with what I’ve said about it? Let me know in the comments.

If you haven’t, you can buy it at Book Depository (they have free international shipping!) or Waterstones (free delivery on UK orders over £25, will ship internationally).

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Review: The Familiars by Stacey Halls

Review of The Familiars, an historical fiction novel set in 17th century England by Stacey Halls.

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Synopsis

Fleetwood Shuttleworth has suffered three miscarriages, is now pregnant again, and just found a letter from a doctor advising her husband that his wife would not survive another pregnancy. Anxious to provide her husband with an heir, she hires Alice Gray, a local midwife with extraordinary abilities.

Then Alice is caught up in the Pendle Witch Trials. Convinced that she must have Alice with her when she gives birth, Fleetwood throws everything she has behind keeping Alice from being arrested. Three lives depend on her success.

However, she uncovers a devastating secret and Alice is still imprisoned. She continues to fight, but the truth doesn’t come to light until Fleetwood goes into labour on the day of the trials.

Review

The Familiars is an average book. I enjoyed reading it, but it’s nothing spectacular and I won’t be returning to it again and again. There is another book by Stacey Halls that looks interesting (The Foundling) but having read The Familiars, I’m hesitant to pay full price for another book by this author.

I enjoyed how there were real-life people and events scattered throughout the book. The story is based on the real-life Pendle Witch Trials. Fleetwood was the name of the lady of nearby Gawthorpe Hall at the time of the trials. However, there is no evidence that the real-life Fleetwood was involved in the trials or knew any of the Pendle witches (otherwise, it’s detailed and informative).

The author succeeded in creating a brilliantly poignant, fraught atmosphere. The pacing is never hurried but doesn’t drag either. I liked how the straightforward writing complimented Fleetwood’s uncomplicated character. Together, the heavy atmosphere, unhurried pacing, and straightforward writing builds suspense, especially around Fleetwood’s doubting those she should trust.

I searched the stacks of letters organised and filed in some unknown method, remembering how James had brought me the neat parcel or correspondence about my failed pregnancies. Another rage was burning inside me: Richard did not think it prudent to inform me of my impending death, and now he had removed from the house the only person I could trust to save me. I realised I was shaking, and hot tears were blurring my sight.

Fleetwood underwent a great deal of growth during the story. At the beginning, she accepts the way her world is and trusts people easily. By the end, she has taken risks to protect her friend and questioned previously accepted ‘facts’. Throughout the book, she shows hope and determination, and develops courage and an unbreakable friendship.

Conclusion

Have you read The Familiars? What did you think? Do you agree with what I’ve said about it? Let me know in the comments.

If you haven’t, you can buy it at Book Depository (they have free international shipping!) or Waterstones (free delivery on UK orders over £25, will ship internationally).

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Review: A Fugitive Green by Diana Gabaldon

Book review of A Fugitive Green, an historical novella by Diana Gabaldon, author of the Outlander books.

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Synopsis

This novella tells the story of how Lord John’s brother, Hal (the Duke of Pardloe), met his wife. Minnie is sent by her father to London, ostensibly to search for a husband, but really to obtain information. While there, she takes the opportunity to find out what happened to her mother.

Hal is struggling with grief over the death of his first wife, Esme. At the same time, he is facing a possible court martial over the duel he fought with Esme’s lover, Nathaniel Twelvetrees (the result of which was that worthy’s death), while trying to rebuild his father’s regiment.

Two men approach Minnie, wanting her to get hold of letters exchanged between Esme and her lover. Harry Quarry is a friend of Hal’s and wishes to prove that Hal had good reason to fight and kill Nathaniel. Edward Twelvetrees, Nathaniel’s brother, wants to destroy all evidence of an affair so that Hal will be convicted of murder and his regiment will be destroyed for good.

Review

A Fugitive Green is full of action and thought. A lot of things happen in a short space. There is one scene with overly detailed descriptions of various plants, but it is the exception in this particular book.

In Diana Gabaldon’s ‘big books,’ Hal isn’t a super loveable character. He’s honourable, loyal, and loves his family, but he doesn’t inspire any great emotion. A Fugitive Green gave me a greater appreciation for Hal and I really felt sympathetic towards him.

‘He turned away and, chilled, made his way by instinct toward the fire. He’d felt as though he were moving through cold honey ever since he’d forced himself out of bed, and now he collapsed joint by joint into his father’s chair.

‘His father’s chair. Blast. He closed his eyes, trying to summon the will to stand up and move. The leather was cold and stiff under his fingers, under his legs, hard against his back. He could feel the fire, a few feet away in its hearth, but the heat didn’t reach him.’

It took me a while to get used to Harry Quarry as a nice 21-year-old rather than a lecherous middle-aged man. Harry appears multiple times through the Lord John stories, but almost always writing lewd poetry or eating/drinking excessively or ‘admiring’ some woman. Here, he’s young, handsome, and acting nobly.

Minnie was such an enjoyable character to read about. She’s independent, spirited, and sassy. I liked how most of A Fugitive Green was told from Minnie’s point of view; it helped me to get to know her and her background. Afterall, we already know Hal’s backstory from the Lord John books, but not Minnie’s.

While Minnie’s search for her mother was touching, the story she eventually uncovered about her conception and birth was disturbing. Seriously, a nun who’s so clueless and distressed over having a child that she goes insane? Sick! However, Minnie’s relationship with her father was adorable.

Conclusion

Have you read A Fugitive Green? What did you think? Do you agree with what I’ve said about it? Let me know in the comments.

If you haven’t, it is found in the collection Seven Stones to Stand or Fall. You can buy it at Book Depository (they have free international shipping!) or Waterstones (free delivery on UK orders over £25, will ship internationally).

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Review: The Clan of the Cave Bear by Jean M. Auel

Book review of The Clan of the Cave Bear, the first book in Jean M. Auel’s epic Earth’s Children series set in prehistoric Europe.

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Synopsis

Set in prehistoric Europe, this is the first book in the Earth’s Children series. Ayla is a young cro-magnon human taken in by a group of Neanderthals after her people are killed in an earthquake.

‘The Clan,’ as they call themselves, come to love Ayla, despite her strange actions and ugly (they think) appearance. The medicine woman, Iza, adopts her as her daughter as teaches her about herbs and healing. However, the son of the leader’s mate, Broud, hates her and does everything he can to make Ayla’s life miserable.

Review

I loved The Clan of the Cave Bear. It was a gripping story about people and their relationships, many of which appear unchanged for thousands of years. I could really sympathise with Ayla’s struggles to fit in; so much of the book felt familiar and relatable to modern experiences.

My favourite thing about this book is looking at the differences and similarities between humans and Neanderthals. I don’t know how much of it was true (especially the cultural stuff), but it was realistic.

Creb was thunderstruck. How had the girl been able to grasp the idea so quickly? She hadn’t even asked what slash marks had to do with fingers, or what either had to do with years. It had taken many repetitions before Goov had understood. Creb made three more slash marks, and put three fingers over them. With only one hand, it had been especially difficult for him when he was learning. Ayla looked at her other hand, and immediately held up three fingers, folding down her thumb and forefinger.

“When I am this many?” she asked, holding out her eight fingers again. Creb nodded affirmatively. Her next action caught him completely by surprise, it was a concept he had spent years mastering himself. She put down the first hand and held up only three fingers.

“I will be old enough to have a baby in this many years,” she gestured with assurance, positive of her deduction. The old magician was rocked to his core. It was unthinkable that a child, a girl child at that, could reason her way to that conclusion so easily.

I thought that Broud was an unconvincing villain. His evildoing felt cartoonish and grotesque. He was like a spoiled child. I think the problem was his motivation; he didn’t like Ayla because she was different and because people paid attention to her but not him.

The Clan of the Cave Bear intelligently explored some serious issues that are still present in society today. The Clan have strict gender roles and are incredibly resistant to change. It made me wonder how modern society would treat Neanderthals if they were still alive today.

Conclusion

Have you read The Clan of the Cave Bear? What did you think? Do you agree with what I’ve said about it? Let me know in the comments.

If you haven’t, you can buy it at Book Depository (they have free international shipping!) or Waterstones (free delivery on UK orders over £25, will ship internationally).