Jean Auel

[Nefer]

Yeah, apparently she was getting too involved in the world of Ayla. That and there were a lot of new archaeological finds she went to inspect personally.

She's one of the few people who got to explore the actual location of the Ninth Caves. She also walked around the entire area before she started writing, to get a better idea of the terrain. I assume doing all that research took a while

But in all, 12 years was waay too long. Apparently, she's already started bk 6, and has the plans for 7. There's some wild (:lol:) speculation that we should see the next one in less than 12yrs!

[delby]

Yes good old Owly but it takes her so damn long to to it i might die of suspense? before the next one .

[annagram]

Love Jean Auel's books except for the last one - it was terrible and such a disappointment. I think she owes us one more but I am losing hope that she will be forthcoming.

[Miss read it]

I like Matt didnt have to wait 10 12 years for the book to finish all 5 thankfully I know most her fans on the EC forum are pretty much over her dragging process of finishing Aylas story. Her last book The Land of Painted caves will be released March 29, 2011 and me most the fans on EC will be buying it the day it releases just to get it over with some people have been waiting for 20 somehthing years to finish Aylas story its just annoying she has made them wait so long. I wont lie I also fell in love with Ayla and Jondalar's story but I'm sooooo glad I found Wilbur Smith he has taken me by storm I love him I just hope we can get some insight on how the earlier Courtneys match up with Waite and Sean.

[Ballantyne]

When I've finished The Leopard Hunts... I'll be starting on The Shelters of Stone

[annagram]

Amazon.com says "Legend of the Painted Cave" will be released on March 29,2011.

[Nefer]

Seems almost too good to be true! I was thrilled when I found out, hopefully it's better than "Shelters"; which I think suffered from over anticipation syndrome.

[poneeboy53]

I love the the series but like others said very repetitive and long winded in descriptions. I was lucky I did not start reading any of the series till just a few years ago so I did not have to wait for the next book to come out till after SOS. I can't believe it takes her this long to write a book. Will she ever finish Ayla's strory?

[Miss read it]

I read this in an interview on yahoo news "To be honest, I don't feel like I'm through," the author, 74, told The Associated Press during a recent telephone interview. "I still have some material and I'm going to keep on writing. It's what I do."

so who knows I'd hate to see it end but I just want to get to the end already being that she takes so long in between books.

[annagram]

Amazon.com says "Legend of the Painted Cave" will be released on March 29,2011.

I forgot about this - think I will check amazon to see.

[annagram]

Amazon says "Land of the Painted Caves" will be released on March 29, 2011.

[Nefer]

Well I've finished the last book, and here are my thoughts

Parts 1 and 2 really need an illustrated guide, it was really hard for me to understand the descriptions of the cave art - thank goodness for my ipod, I could look things up as I read. These 2 sections were slow, and I kept thinking that Ayla wasn't the person I've grown used to and loved my whole life.

Part 3 was predictable, but gripping nonetheless - I couldn't put it down for a while! It's so sad to realise that Ayla's story is over, and there will be no more to look forward to. These books have been a part of my life for a long time (since I was a teen).

Not the best book I've read, but the nostalgia factor outweighs the quality of the book - so I give it a 8/10.

[annagram]

Painted Caves" was even worse than "Shelters" - I was very disappointed. I gave it to my daughter in law and she didn't even finish it and I just skimmed through most of it.