Les Enfants de la Terre, coffret de 5 volumes : Book Review

Jean M. Auel's "Les Enfants de la Terre: Coffret de 5 volumes" is an enthralling series that transports readers back to prehistoric times, delving into the life of a fearless young woman named Ayla. Set in a world dominated by icy glaciers and inhabited by diverse tribes, this epic saga takes readers on an extraordinary journey of survival, love, and self-discovery.

In the first volume, "Le Clan de l'Ours des Cavernes," we follow Ayla as she navigates the challenges of being an orphaned Cro-Magnon child in a Neanderthal society. Despite being viewed as different, she refuses to be marginalized and forms a deep connection with the Clan's wildlife. As the series progresses, Ayla's resilience and unique abilities become vital as she learns to thrive in an extraordinary world.

Moving on to "La Vallée des chevaux," the second volume, Ayla ventures beyond the Clan's boundaries into a vast landscape filled with magnificent horses. Her ability to tame and ride these creatures becomes an essential skill. Ayla begins to uncover her true identity and embraces her role as a bridge between the Clan and the Others, the more advanced Cro-Magnon humans.

Continuing with "Les Chasseurs de mammouths," Ayla embarks on a daring journey to reunite with her own kind. As she encounters new tribes and faces the perils of a harsh environment, her determination and strength are tested. This volume delves deeply into the complexities of relationships, highlighting Ayla's struggles as well as her blossoming romance with Jondalar.

In "Le Grand Voyage," Ayla and Jondalar continue their quest, traversing uncharted territories and encountering different tribes. Along the way, they face numerous obstacles but also gain insights into fascinating cultures and experience personal growth. Ayla's healing abilities and her profound connection with the natural world play integral roles in their journey.

What are readers saying?

"Les Enfants de la Terre: coffret de 5 volumes" by Jean M. Auel has garnered a wide range of reviews from readers, which offer varying perspectives on the book. Overall, the reception has been positive, with many readers expressing admiration for Auel's storytelling abilities and her ability to construct a detailed prehistoric world. Nonetheless, a few criticisms have also emerged.

One reviewer was enthralled by the vivid descriptions of prehistoric life, noting that Auel's meticulous research and attention to detail lent an authentic and immersive quality to the story. Another reader praised the book's strong character development, particularly the protagonist Ayla, finding her to be a captivating and relatable figure. This reader also applauded the well-written and believable relationships between the characters.

Readers also commended Auel's engaging writing style, which effectively held their attention throughout the book. They appreciated the well-balanced pacing, as it successfully combined action-packed moments with introspective passages.

On the other hand, some reviewers expressed negative opinions. One felt that the book's length could have been shortened through tighter editing. They found certain sections repetitive and believed the story could have retained its impact with a more condensed approach. Another critic pointed out that the plot felt predictable and lacked surprises, noting that some events felt contrived and that the overall structure followed a formulaic pattern.

Notwithstanding these criticisms, the majority of readers thoroughly enjoyed "Les Enfants de la Terre: coffret de 5 volumes." Auel's meticulous world-building, well-developed characters, and extensive research have made it a popular choice among fans of historical fiction and prehistoric settings.

LesEnfantsDeLaTerre CoffretDe5Volumes RomanHistorique