The Land of Painted Caves

Written by Jean M. Auel

Narrated by Sandra Burr

Ayla, one of the most remarkable and beloved heroines in contemporary fiction, continues to explore the world and the people around her with curiosity, insight, and, above all, courage.

As the story opens, Ayla, Jondalar, and their infant daughter, Jonayla, are living with the Zelandonii in the Ninth Cave—a shelter of stone. Ayla has been chosen as an acolyte and has embarked on the arduous task of training to become a spiritual leader. The wisdom that Ayla gained from her struggles as an orphaned child, alone in a hostile environment, strengthen her as she moves closer to leadership of the Zelandonia.

Whatever the obstacles, Ayla’s inventive spirit produces new ways to lessen the difficulties of daily life: searching for wild edibles to make delicious meals, experimenting with techniques to ease the long journeys the Zelandoni must take, honing her skills as a healer and a leader. And then, there are the Sacred Caves, the caves that Ayla’s mentor—the Donier, the First of the Zelandonia—takes her to see. These caves are filled with remarkable art—paintings of mammoths, lions, aurochs, rhinoceros, reindeer, bison, bear. The powerful, mystical aura within these caves sometimes overwhelms Ayla and the rituals of initiation bring her close to death. But through those rituals, Ayla gains A Gift of Knowledge so important that it will change the world.

Spellbinding drama, meticulous research, fascinating detail, and superb narrative skill combine to make The Land of Painted Caves a captivating, utterly believable creation of a long ago civilization and serves as an astonishing end to this beloved saga.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Brilliance Audio
• Release date: Mar 29, 2011
• ISBN: 9781441888259

Jean M. Auel

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, culminating in her being made an Officer of the Order of Arts and Letters by the French Minister of Culture and Communication in 2008.

Reviews for The Land of Painted Caves

[Mariela · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The author was rich once more in her explanations of the feelings, situations, controversies and descriptions of landmarks. I LOVED the whole series. Once Ayla and Jondalar get to the Zelandonii people, things get even more interesting as Ayla becomes a great woman of power, changing the fate and perspective of the whole human race at that time. The voice actor did AN AMAZING job with all the range of different characters in the series. You will not be disappointed!! I plan to have this series as an assignment for the children I may have one day. Thank you so much for having this series for people to listen to. Otherwise, I couldn’t have been able to finish it between all other responsibilities. However, while driving, cooking, etc., I was able to enjoy once more, and finish, the series I started 7 years ago. Many blessings to you all! ?❤️????

[Kati Marienberg-Usher · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Book is good but it stops on chapter 40 suddenly. Month later: hurraw it works! I have now finished the book successfully. Thanks for fixing the problem. Great books

[Enidan Dragunov · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

When is the next book coming out? Is there any chance that she will be writing another?

[Morryah McCurdy · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I'm sad the series is over. It's had me in its grip since August (now it's November). I'm disappointed with the ending I felt like it tied everything up too well. But I still wish there was another book

[Sarah Bowen · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Have loved this series since I was young. I think I read the first one in the early 90s and have collected the books and reread and listen to them all the time. Often out of order!

[Barry Cole · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Bing worthy series, one minor irritant is the number of repetitions of details that were over-covered in depth in eariler books.

[Tahmee Little · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I've gotten 5hrs in & it's kinda dragging on. I keep waiting for the something exciting to happen. I'll keep reading but so far it hasn't captured my attention

[Elina Järvelä · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Not the best of the series, but very good still.

[JAVIJAVIER · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Wow, it has become quite a tedious read for me. It's a repetition of everything and making it very lengthy. It had to be read, although yes, certain parts I liked. The truth is there are much better books in this series. Overall, I'm glad to have come across this writer and to have read her books. If there were a seventh one, I would read it too. (Translated from Spanish)

[CrisOM · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I love this book series. I devoured them!! I waited a long time for the last book to come out, and I have to say that I was totally disappointed. The characters suddenly changed their personalities; they weren't like they used to be at all, they acted the opposite of what was usual. The story was uninteresting... The truth is I would have been fine staying with the previous book. A total disappointment. It left me feeling crushed, really. (Translated from Spanish)

[March Delgado · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

With great expectations, I opened this book, finally, after so many years, I could continue with Ayla's adventures. What a great disappointment! I prefer to hold on to the wonderful memory of the first three in the saga. (Translated from Spanish)

[Brujashh · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The whole saga is quite good, although it is true that the first ones are the best. (Translated from Spanish)