Review: The Land of Painted Caves by Jean M. Auel

Review of The Land of Painted Caves by Jean M. Auel, final book of the epic Earth’s Children series of historical fiction set in prehistoric Europe.

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Synopsis

Ayla has become Zelandoni’s acolyte. Along with Jondalar, Jonayla (Ayla’s daughter), and the animals, they travel around looking at sacred sites and painted caves. Along the way they meet many people, have adventures, and save some lives.

By the time Jonayla is six, the demands on Ayla are putting a strain on the family. This worsens after Ayla receives her ‘calling’ to be Zelandoni. Both Jondalar and Ayla become withdrawn and miserable until a near-death experience forces them back together.

Review

The Land of Painted Caves is the most boring book in this series. For most of the book, people travel around looking a cave-paintings and nothing happens to advance the story. There are a lot of descriptions of caves, painting, and scenery.

A couple of times, the plot jumped several years for no apparent reason. The first time, right before the time-jump, there was an earthquake that made no sense. Previously, earthquakes have preceded change but this one doesn’t. Then it jumps forward four years and it takes several pages before the jump becomes apparent.

I found it hard to believe that they still only had three horses at the end of the book. Whinney was about three years old when she gave birth to Racer, and she had Grey a couple of years later. By the end of the book Grey is six years old but there is no indication that she has ever mated, had a foal, or even come into heat.

I was disappointed to see Ayla and Jondalar regress to where they were during The Mammoth Hunters. They act as if they don’t love each other anymore and stop communicating, making the other jealous. This again lands them in a vicious cycle of misunderstanding and hurtful behaviour. I thought they had moved beyond such behaviour and did not enjoy seeing it again.

Many of the characters had no apparent personality. Apart from the major characters who featured in previous books, they all seem the same. They aren’t really in the book enough for any differences between them to be obvious; there’s a lot of them that come and go without really doing anything.

I did like finding out what happened with the Mamutoi after Ayla and Jondalar had left, especially Ranec. I had wondered what happened to him. How long did it take for Ranec to get over Ayla? Did he mate with Tricie?

Saying that, the ending gives no closure. There could quite easily be another book after this one (there isn’t, but it feels like there could be). Ayla and Jondalar talk about having another child, Zelandoni is guilty about pushing Ayla, and Danug is still visiting. The story doesn’t end.

Conclusion

Have you read The Land of Painted Caves? 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 can be bought at Book Depository (they have free international shipping!).