"Ayla and Jondular and their animal friends Wolf, Whinney, and Racer, have completed a very long journey across Europe, and are now greeted by Jondular's people of the Zelandonii.
But as Ayla and Jondalar prepare for their mating ceremony, there are problems ahead. Not all of the Zelandonii are welcoming. Some fear Ayla's unfamiliar ways and her relationship with the Clan. They openly oppose her mating to Jondalar. Now Ayla must call on all her wisom and instincts to find her way in this complex society of people.
She has to also prepare for the birth of her child, and to decide whether she will accept new challenges and play a significant role in the destiny of the Zelandonii."
Boppy, Resident Scholar
"Ayla and Jondalar have traveled across the glacier to return to Jondalar's home among the Zelandoni. As they plan for the upcoming nuptial ceremony, one of Jondalar's previous lovers stirs trouble. Others resent Ayla in that she was raised by the Clan and has many of their ways. Her struggle to fit in with Jondalar's people while still maintaining the qualities she cherishes from her Clan background create internal as well as external conflict."
Chuck, Resident Scholar
"In the fifth novel in the Earth's children series, Ayla and Jondalar arrive at the home of Jondalar's tribe, where the are happily welcome. Though Jondalar's family is surprised at Jondalar's announcement that her plans to marry Ayla, they quickly grow to care for her. However, Ayla is not universally liked. Her clan background raises some eyebrows, as does the fact that she keeps animals as pets. Conflict arises between Ayla and Jandalar's former fiancée. As they prepare for the birth of their first child Ayla and Jondalar face a new challenge when the Zelandonii of the tribe (a kind of female shaman) declares that she believes that Ayla is a Zelandonii as well. This position would put strain on the family that she and Jondalar are preparing to start, and she must decide whether or not she will accept it. "
fran laniado, Resident Scholar
"Fifth in Jean Auel's acclaimed "Earth's Children" series, this is the story of Ayla, the prehistoric woman reared by The Clan continues as she arrives at the home of her mate, Jondalar after a long journey.
Ayla is unusual - raised by The Clan, who are actually Neanderthals called "Flatheads" and hated by Jondalar's people. They - "the Others" - are Cro-Magnon, including Ayla. She arrives with her mate, riding a horse, with a wolf companion and frightens many of those she will live among.
Her unusual skills in healing make her an object of interest as well as fear. Ayla must learn to become one of the Zelandonni people if she wishes her life with Jondalar to be pleasant.
When the Zelandonni learn she was raised by the Clan, there is some outcry against Ayla and great prejudice.
The story, set in prehistoric times, is one of culture clash, of change, courage, and human love."
Lee Ann Sontheimer Murphy, Resident Scholar
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Review Analysis of The Shelters of Stone
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Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot
Tone of book?
- thoughtful
Time/era of story
- distant past/middle ages
Romance/Romance Problems
Yes
Kind of romance:
- fighting matchbreaker (parents/authorities)
Life of a profession:
- caveman (ug!)
Is this an adult or child's book?
- Adult or Young Adult Book
Job/Profession/Status story
Yes
Lover is
- from very different culture
Main Character
Gender
- Female
Profession/status:
- unemployed
Age:
- 20's-30's
How sensitive is this character?
- sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor
- Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence
- Smarter than most other characters
- Very much smarter than other characters
Physique
- very athletic
Main Adversary
Identity:
- society
Profession/status:
- unemployed
Setting
How much descriptions of surroundings?
- 7 (a good amount)
Europe
Yes
European country:
- France
Jungles?
Yes
Jungles
- ape people
- lost city
Style
Person
- mostly 3rd
Accounts of torture and death?
- generic/vague references to death/punishment
- moderately detailed references to deaths
Sex in book?
Yes
What kind of sex:
- descript of kissing
- touching of anatomy
- impregnation/reproduction
- actual description of hetero sex
- descript. of female anat. (the big B's)
- descript. of female anat. (the big V)
Amount of dialog
- roughly even amounts of descript and dialog
