The Land of Painted Caves

The triumphant finale of the hugely successful Earth's Children series.

The Land of Painted Caves concludes the story of Ayla, her mate Jondalar, and their little daughter, Jonayla, taking readers on a journey of discovery and adventure as Ayla struggles to find a balance between her duties as a new mother and her training to become a Zelandoni one of the Ninth Cave community's spiritual leaders and healers.

Once again, Jean Auel combines her brilliant narrative skills and appealing characters with a remarkable re-creation of the way life was lived thousands of years ago, rendering the terrain, dwelling places, longings, beliefs, creativity and daily lives of Ice Age Europeans as real to the reader as today's news.

About the Author

Jean M. Auel, whose novels about prehistoric life have won acclaim for their inspired storytelling, meticulous attention to detail and historic accuracy, has written the highly anticipated sixth and final book in the phenomenally bestselling Earth's Children series. Auel's Earth's Children is one of the most popular and celebrated series in publishing history, as Ayla's journey begins with the groundbreaking first novel, THE CLAN OF THE CAVE BEAR. Continuing with THE VALLEY OF HORSES where she meets Jondalar, her future mate, and THE MAMMOTH HUNTERS, Ayla and Jondalar's epic journey progresses through Ice Age Europe in THE PLAINS OF PASSAGE until they reach Jondalar's home, in THE SHELTERS OF STONE. With THE LAND OF PAINTED CAVES, Jean Auel gives fans the finale they have been looking for. It is a brilliant achievement by one of the world s most beloved authors. Her extensive factual research has earned her the respect of renowned scientists, archaeologists and anthropologists around the globe. She was made an Officer of the Order of Arts & Letters by the French Minister of Culture and Communication in 2008.