by Barbara Wood ; Read by Gabrielle De Cuir ‧ RELEASE DATE: Jan. 22, 2002
After an earthquake damages a rich area of California, a sacred cave containing human remains is found dating back at least 1500 years. As archaeologist Erica Tyler races to discover the identity and way of life of the Native American tribe whose artifacts are left there, Jared Black, the member of a Native American Commission, seeks their living descendents. Gabrielle de Cuir tells the tale of each discovery and the mythical or historical story behind why each piece was left in the cave. De Cuir's soft voice clearly enunciates the Indian and Spanish words, disrupting the flow of the engaging narrative. What Tyler and Black discover about the Native American tribe adds a nice twist to this romantic tale of past and present.
Pub Date: 2002
Duration: 6 hrs
Publisher: Audio Renaissance
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
by Jean M. Auel ; Read by Rowena Cooper ‧ RELEASE DATE: N/A
Ayla, one of the "others," is adopted by a clan of Neanderthal cave people. She struggles to conform to their ways, but her advanced human traits overwhelm and threaten their primitive culture in this initial installment of an immensely popular series. Although the story might benefit from abridgment, Rowena Cooper easily carries out the formidable task of enlivening the mostly silent and stereotypical characters with consistent, diverse personalities and human dimension. Through skillful phrasing and inflection, she maintains the reader's interest and suspense, especially with Ayla and her plight, throughout this rambling and imaginative story.
Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 22 hrs
Publisher: BBC Audiobooks America/ Chivers
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
by Jeanne Larsen ; Read by Susan Clark ‧ RELEASE DATE: N/A
Awards & Accolades
Our Verdict
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This lyrical, sensual novel of woman's lot in Manchu, China, is as well researched as it is well written. Authentic in tone, it's nonetheless written for Westerners by a Western expert on China. Moreover, Susan Clark performs the demanding text superbly, with only occasional signs of fatigue. For the most part she not only sustains the quaint diction and Asian atmosphere, but also, creates whole worlds with her voice. She acts the book, rather than reads it, and, in so doing, turns a pretty trifle into a stupendous beauty.
Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 4 hrs, 30 mins
Publisher: Audio Literature
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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