The story of Ayla begins when, as a five-year-old orphan, she is adopted by the Clan, a group of Neanderthals. Initially, she inspires surprise, then wariness and finally acceptance by the Clan. She is cared for by its medicine woman, Iza, and its wise holy man, Creb. But she makes an implacable enemy of the group's future leader, Broud. He will do all he can to destroy her - but Ayla is a survivor. Jean Auel's imaginative reconstruction of pre-historic life, rich in detail of language, culture, myth and ritual, has become a set text in schools and colleges around the world.

Accolades

Runner-up for The BBC Big Read Top 100 2003.
Shortlisted for BBC Big Read Top 100 2003.

Reviews

'Beautiful, exciting, imaginative' (New York Times )
'A major bestseller . . . a remarkable work of imagination' (Daily Express )
'Meticulously researched and fascinating . . . but it is a work of the purest imagination for all that' Guardian
"Imaginative, exciting." --The New York Times Book Review
"Jean Auel has performed a minor miracle." --San Francisco Chronic

Author Biography

Jean M. Auel is one of the world's most esteemed and beloved authors. Her extensive factual research has earned her the respect of renowned scientists, archaeologists and anthropologists around the globe.