...I'm *how old* again?!

[foxyfurs]

Brief trip to the grocer's this morning and I passed through the paperback/magazine section and my eyes skimmed the hardbacks down along the bottom shelf. Guess what name popped out?

Jean M. Auel

Clan of the Cave Bear was the first book I ever read that had sex in. (I think I was eleven.) And despite my later years of reading purple-prose-y romances filled with vague references to men's dangly bits, the overall impression of Ayla never really left me: Sex may not be enjoyable for everyone, it may end up changing your life, and sometimes the only person you can count on is yourself.

I'm pleased to see Ayla's story is finally finished, though I'd have to go back to The Valley of Horses to refresh my memory on everything that happened to her, and the people and experiences in her life. Which, you'd understand, would take a while, since THOSE BOOKS ARE HUGE and I have other things I'm supposed to be working on at the moment.

Here's to Ayla. Who was a character of strength, in her own way, and gave me my first glimpse into the practicalities of a woman's body and mind.

*raises glass*

Comments

[senmut]

I'll be posting a review of the latest book once I finish it (slow going, since it is last, and I want to try and savor).

I'll share my impression-posts below, in case you're curious what I thought on my most recent read through.

http://merfilly.dreamwidth.org/307363.html (Clan)
http://merfilly.dreamwidth.org/308463.html (Post Clan and Valley wrap thoughts)
http://merfilly.dreamwidth.org/308517.html and http://merfilly.dreamwidth.org/312238.html (Mammoth)
http://merfilly.dreamwidth.org/317383.html (Plains)
http://merfilly.dreamwidth.org/343130.html (Shelters)

[foxyfurs]

Yay!

*marks for reading, when she gets caught up*

[ilyena_sylph]

I love what you have to say about Ayla, here.

Because... yes.

[foxyfurs]

Never before had a fictional character changed my outlook on life so much. (Other than Menolly of Pern.)

<3