The Shelters of Stone

By: Jean M. Auel

Narrated by: Rowena Cooper

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.

(P)2004 AudioGO Ltd©2002 Jean M. Auel

Critic reviews

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.

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.

Jean M. Auel has meticulously researched her subject and this latest book should continue the huge success of the series.

As always, Auel has meticulously researched her prehistoric subject and this latest offering is a triumphant continuation of the saga.

Massive in scope

Impeccable research makes this much more than a fantasy reconstruction of prehistoric life.

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.

Enthralling, exciting and impossible to put down.

A rewarding read. A brilliant work of imagination

I liked it but...

I was very disappointed in Rowena for changing her pronounciation of Zelandonii. In Valley of the Horses, it was established that it was pronounced Zelandonyee, but in this book (where it's repeated a hundred times!) she changes it to Zelandonee-eye. Soooo frustrating. There were a few other things that got on my nerves: The River she pronounces as Thee River, more often than not. I think this is more an error on Jean's part, though. It is extremely distracting and very unnecessary. This is the last book I care for in the series. The final book is not to my taste at all and I have no desire to purchase the audible version, having already read the printed version.

Fantastic, Astounding, un-putdownable😁

absolutely love these books, have been hooked since the very first one and continue to be transfixed by Ayla and Jondular's journey both figuritively and emotionally. The amount of research that I know had gone into these books is astounding. Well done to Jean and all concerned, I can't wait to read the best installment into the lives of this wonderful couple 😊

Mediocre

Well.. I've been binge listening to these books for some months now and I love the first two. But the 3rd and this was rather mediocre. A lot of repetition and not much really happening. If I had something else in mind to read I'd end the series here as I don't expect the next one to be any better. But I don't have anything else in mind and it's grown into a routine so why not just finish it..? mixed feelings about this one and at times my thoughts wandered some were else as the book didn't really catch my attention as much as I'd preferred. Don't get me wrong; I love the world and the personalities, and I'll use my credit to give the last book a chance.

dragged on

The author repeats information again and again. The plot is undeveloped and there are too many characters.

Love it!!

One of my favourite books in this series!!! Magical and so exciting!!! Just love it