The Shelters of Stone - Hardcover

'Bursting with hard information about ancient days and awash in steamy sex ... Auel's latest will not only please her legions of fans but will hit the top of the list, pronto.' -- Publishers Weekly 'Auel is particularly sharp in her characterisation of Ayla ... has all the colour and vividness of Auel's previous books.' -- Starlog 'Meticulously researched ... fascinating ... course-by-course menus for Upper Paleolithic blow-outs ... that Joanne Harris might envy. Jean Auel is as remarkable a figure as J R R Tolkien.' -- Independent Magazine 'Jean M. Auel has meticulously researched her subject and this latest book should continue the huge success of the series.' -- Hello 'Jean Auel's greatest achievement is to have created a plausible primeval community where men and women love and sometimes hate, and learn to survive in a harsh environment that demands rules and co-operation.' -- Daily Express 'As always, Auel has meticulously researched her prehistoric subject and this latest offering is a triumphant continuation of the saga.' -- The Irish News (Belfast) 20020429 'Impeccable research makes this much more than a fantasy reconstruction of prehistoric life.' -- Daily Express 20021208 'A publishing event ... a huge new pre-historic masterpiece' -- Peterborough Evening Telegraph 20021208 'Massive in scope' -- Daily Mirror 20021208 'A glorious blend of purported history with sexy fantasy.' -- Evening Standard 20021208 'A triumphant continuation of the saga.' -- Western Daily Press 20021208 'Enthralling, exciting and impossible to put down.' -- York Evening Press 20021208

Ayla and Jondalar have reached home: the Ninth Cave of the Zelandonii, the old stone age settlement in the region known today as south-west France. Ayla has much to learn from the Zelandonii as well as much to teach them. Jondalar's family are initially wary of the beautiful young woman he has brought back, with her strange accent and her tame wolf and horses. She is delighted when she meets Zelandoni, the spiritual leader of her people, a fellow healer with whom she can share her medicinal skills. After the rigours and dangers that have characterised her extraordinary life, Ayla yearns for peace and tranquillity; to be Jondalar's mate and to have children. But her unique spiritual gifts cannot be ignored, and even as she gives birth to their eagerly-awaited child, she is coming to accept that she has a greater role to play in the destiny of the Zelandonii.