The Plains of Passage (Earth's Children, Book Four) by Jean M. Auel
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Book Reviews of The Plains of Passage (Earth's Children, Book Four)
Book Review: Could have been better
Summary: 3 Stars
Having read the previous three novels, I was disappointed when I read this one many years ago. It is a very tedious, redundant book with remarkably similar encounters with various tribes along the way.
The good: Auel provides rich scenery (sometimes too rich) for the reader and I like the way that she works artifacts into her novels. In my anthropology, art history and ancient history from college, I was often thrilled to find a "venus" statue that she had described or a mammoth bone dwelling. The tediousness of the book even works for it in a way since you have a huge sense of relief at the end, much as Jondalar and Ayla would have felt, FINALLY!!! There was also a lot of potential with this novel. For characters, I liked S'armuna, Epadoa, Dolando and Joplaya simply because all of them had a chip on their shoulders for one reason or another.
Unfortunately, Auel did not take advantage of it. The conflicts are mild and predictable. There is more telling than showing. Wolf, who is hardly a year old, responds to Ayla with almost perfect obedience. The characters for the most part are eminently suited to their positions. With the exception of Attaroa, there are no leaders who are incompetent or who make mistakes or do anything bad. Ayla in the first three novels made cultural mistakes, got angry and spoke without thinking, and didn't always do things the right way. Now, she always does what is right and Jondalar is there to support her. Her personality has gone.
Also, I find it very incredible that all of these cultures are so similar in their religious beliefs. Auel has put a lot of effort into the Sharamudoi and Mamutoi culture, but hasn't given them any spiritual independence. All worship The Mother, all have First Rites, all accept women leaders in some form or another, it is very incredulous to believe that these people were so similar
Book Review: Not one of her best
Summary: 3 Stars
I love all of the Earth's Children books and have read the entire series back to back at least 20 times. Seriously. I love these books, but I have to say this one is definitely my least favorite of them all. I dont have much to add after reading the other reviews, about the repetitive descriptions of the scenery, NODES! LOL, and how pretty much perfect Jondalar and Ayla are and how they always manage to save the day. But what gets me, as a dog owner and animal lover is how perfect the ANIMALS are! I realize that wolves and horses are very intelligent creatures and certainly can be trained, and even trained with hand signals (as I've trained my own dogs). But the things that Ayla is able to make them do just strains the imagination. It is as if her animals can not only read her mind but she can train them to consistently do things that goes against their own instinct. Particularly the way Wolf behaves when Ayla is about to be dispatched. Although, that is the one time that Wolf actually DOES follow his instincts no matter what Ayla told him to do. A little far-fetched, some of it, but again, I love the whole series and you can't read the series and skip a book. I do admit to skipping over some parts but still I would recommend this book, if for no other reason, than it is a part of a wonderful series. Every time I read these books is like a vacation to me. I hope there are more books to follow Shelters of Stone.Book Review: A Snore so Far . . .
Summary: 3 Stars
Truthfully, I loved Clan of the Cave Bear and Valley of the Horses in this series. Each was exciting and informative without being tedious as Mammoth Hunters and Plains of Passage have become.
Mz Auel's descriptions have become so awful I cross my eyes and turn the page as quickly as possible. Mammoth Hunters was frustrating as Ayla and Jondolar (which we know will end up together anyways) have stupid insignificant arguments that cause them to break up and send Ayla into the arms of Ranec. I know this misunderstanding thing is a standard plot device to get things moving but really, is this suffering really neccessary for the reader?
Then Jondolar and Ayla get back together and go on this long painful Journey in Plains of Passage. The most interesting part is when they find any signs of other humans. Other than that it's all plants and animals and boring sex. I have never in my life skipped through love scenes but every sexual event in this book is repeated over and over until I never want to hear the words "well", "dip", and "manhood" in a sentence ever again. I'm not even halfway through and I'm ready to throw it in the trash. Good thing it was a present.
Book Review: downward curve
Summary: 3 Stars
In this series I felt each book has been better than the previous one...until Plains of Passage. I feel that the novelty of these characters and pets and wonderful inventions are beginning to wear thin. I don't want to read any more paragraphs that begin with Jondalar saying "Ayla, my Ayla!" and how she was the first, and only, woman that could 'take his all' (reference to the huge size of his 'manhood'). I did enjoy this book but it's becoming a bit hard not to poke fun at all the repeated sex scenes and wonderment from the different peoples that they encounter. I loved the first three books in this series but now everything seems to be repeating on itself. I liked the anti-racist tones of these novels but feel a little uncomfortable at the authors obvious admiration for people that mother-nature has made beautiful/tall/well endowed/blonde/naturally gifted etc. At first we rejoice in these things because Ayla and Jondalar were both given a tough time in previous novels, and we cheered them on. But now in Plains of Passage, they plod along doing the same things and the novelty's wearing thin. But still worth a read. (flip past any paragraphs beginning "Ayla, my Ayla")Book Review: Glad to read it.
Summary: 3 Stars
I will buy however many books Auel has left in her. I've accepted that the writing will never match the first three books and the plot will never match the first book. I'm still grateful that Ayla exists and will enjoy seeing where Auel wants to take her.
That being said, there are large parts of Plains of Passage that are just cringe-inducing. I really can't read the Joplaya section, as it is just bad plot, bad writing, and bad characterization. Just bad. The S'Arumunai section is only slightly better. Fortunately, there are a few short pieces in this book (the Sharamudai section, the Losadunai section, and the Clan Encounter) that are actually quite good. Most of the book, though, is just filler. Mildly interesting, but not enjoyable.