Earth's Children (Books 1-4) : The Clan of the Cave Bear; The Valley of Horses; The Mammoth Hunters; The Plains of Passage
New York: Crown Publishers, 1980-1990. First editions, first printings. All volumes in publisher's quarter cloth, in Hiroko dust jackets (not price-clipped). Very lightly rubbed, with presses to spines of books 3 and 4, and owner's name on ffep of book 2, else fine, in fine dust jackets, with book 1 having two short tears spine foot (tape repaired verso), and toned jacket verso. Item #236627
NEANDRATHAL ROMANCE NOVELS
Beginning with The Clan of the Cave Bear in 1980, Jean M. Auel's Earth's Children series revolutionized historical (or pre-historical) fiction, selling over 45 million copies worldwide. Auel blended detailed archeological research with moving romance to humanize Neanderthals, exploring Ayla and Jondalar's travels across the European land mass in search of Ayla's family.
The series was ranked number 19 on the ALA's 100 Most Frequently Challenged Books of 1990–1999, as she portrayed unconventional sexual practices as central to Paleolithic religion. However, Auel defended the sensuality of her series, as it kept her characters from becoming "hulking cave men" and explored their emotional depth.
Each volume is signed by the author on the full title page; book one is briefly inscribed, and books two through four are flat signed. The Plains of Passage also includes a magazine clipping of Auel's interview for Waldenbooks.
Price: $450.00