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(Review for vols. 1-4) The Earth's Children series is one of my all-time favourites, a long and fascinating tale about the early history of mankind, when the Early European Modern Humans (or Cro-Magnons) slowly replaced the Neandertals. Based on thorough historic research of the time, the author paints a vivid picture of Europe in the stone age and imagines a fascinating and realistic culture of the peoples of that time. She also shows an interesting view on language acquisition, information processing and technical innovations by following her protagonists along on their adventurous life. Some of the research the story is based upon has today been superseded by newer findings and research, but this doesn't take away the fascination and pleasure of this captivating tale. ( )

Las llanuras del tránsito
Jean M. Auel
Publicado: 1990 | 868 páginas
Novela Aventuras Histórico
Serie: Los hijos de la tierra #4

Ayla y Jondalar emprenden de nuevo el camino. Tras su estancia y aprendizaje con los Mamutoi, Jondalar siente el irreprimible deseo de volver de nuevo a su hogar. Ayla le acompaña. En plena naturaleza inhóspita e inestable, Ayla y Jondalar inician el último viaje que les llevará a atravesar todo el mundo conocido. Acompañados de los caballos a los que han aprendido a montar y del lobo que cuidaron desde que era un cachorro, ambos atravesarán valles, ríos, planicies y glaciares en la última etapa en busca de un lugar donde asentarse definitivamente. Esta vez, sus pasos les llevarán hasta otras tribus, de las que aprenderán y a las que, también, enseñarán. Marcados por el hecho de vivir con animales, deberán aprender a luchar contra la desconfianza que siembran a su paso, en un viaje duro e inolvidable que durará más de un año.

CW: Sexual content ( )

A reread of this book. I always enjoy this series, and this book is my favorite. Ayla and Jondalar have decided to leave the Mamutoi and make the trip back to Jondalar's home. Along the way, they meet up with several other groups of people, some good and some not.

Ayla is nervous about leaving the Mamutoi, who have adopted her and given her a family. But she loves Jondalar and will go with him despite her qualms. Because she was raised by "flatheads" after her own family died in an earthquake, she frequently faces prejudice from those who don't understand. However, she can always win over her detractors through her healing skills or personality.

Jondalar started his Journey with his brother but ended with Ayla after a cave lion killed and injured him. While happy to be with Ayla, he is homesick for his own people and convinces Ayla to come with him. After spending several months with the Mamutoi, it is time to move on. Having made the Journey this far, Jondalar knows the way back home and is anxious to get there.

I liked the descriptions of the land and animals that they saw along the way, but my favorite parts were when they encountered other people. The first is the Sharamudoi, with whom Jondalar and his brother had stayed. They find that the leader's wife has been hurt, and Ayla immediately steps into healer mode to help her. She is successful, of course, which puts her in good graces with the rest of the people. I also enjoyed the reactions to Ayla's wolf and horses. They stay for a while with the group, who want them to stay, but Jondalar insists that they keep moving.

The next group they encounter is the S'Armunai, with a welcome that is not so pleasant. The leader of the group is a woman who stole the leadership and is mentally unbalanced. Jondalar is captured and confined with the other men. He does what he can to help the other men while he tries to figure out how to escape and find Ayla. Meanwhile, she has been looking for him and watches the camp for several days while trying to find the best way to rescue him. How she does so is very dramatic and intense. Of course, she also insists on staying long enough to treat those injured and neglected before they leave to continue their Journey.

Next is the Losadunai, who live at the edge of the glacier Jondalar and Ayla must cross to get to his home. Again, they are warmly welcomed and treated well. I enjoyed seeing Ayla getting to know everyone. There is also some drama involving a young girl who some young men assaulted. Ayla's empathy helps the girl move past it and embrace her future. As Ayla and Jondalar continue their journey, they run into those same young men who have attacked a Clan (flathead) man and woman. After reading them the riot act and sending them on their way, Ayla treats the injured man as they share their fire and a meal. I liked how seeing Ayla with a man of the Clan helped Jondalar understand her a little better.

There is danger as they cross the glacier at the end of the winter, and the arrival of spring temperatures can cause dangerous melting, putting them at greater risk of injury or death. After several close calls, they make it off the glacier to the home cave of some of Jondalar's family. A bit of a romantic tangle is present with a young woman, which adds a bit of angst. Ayla also encounters a man of "mixed spirits," half clan and half Other, who reminds her of her son Durc, left behind in the series' first book. I enjoyed their connection and seeing Ayla ease his anger about how his mother was treated. After a brief period with them, they finally reach Jondalar's home, with a cliffhanger ending as we wait to see how they are welcomed.

I always enjoy seeing Ayla win over new people; this book was no exception. I also loved seeing reactions to the animals, especially Wolf, and I especially loved his part in the rescue of Jondalar from the S'Armunai. It is also adorable to see Wolf with the various children.

This was not my first reread of this book, and it won't be the last. ( )