and authors worth seeing.
Yesterday I passed a Waterstones. Well, actually I didn’t. As I was attempting to pass a Waterstones it lured me in, by offering me a free magazine and book for signing up for a Waterstones’ card. And then, last night, I was browsing their site (as you do), and I spotted the announcement that Jean Auel’s sixth Earth Children book, The Land of Painted Caves
is due out from Hodder and Stoughton on 29 March.
How had I missed that? How had such a momentous publishing date crept up on me so quietly? I have been waiting for this book for so long. I read the first book years and years ago. The Clan of the Cave Bear
, it’s called, and it’s fabulous. It’s a really in depth story of a child growing up in an alien society, with all that that would entail. Detailed descriptions of all aspects of life (some of them not pleasant, this isn’t a book *for* children at all) among a neanderthal tribe. Though I think The Valley of Horses
is my favourite. It’s a close run thing, as I’m pretty fond of The Mammoth Hunters
too.
In fact, I think the only thing to do is to go back to the beginning and read them again. And review them here of course 😉 I wonder if I can fit that in before publication date?
There’s something else I’d love to do too, though I’m not sure I can make it. The author, Jean Auel, is in conversation with Professor Chris Stringer at 7.30pm at the Natural History Museum in London on Feb 28th. It’s the last book in the series, so this will be the last UK event with Jean, and it’s only £10.00 (tickets available via TICKET HOTLINE: 020 7942 5725 or online via nhm website
Aargh, so very tempting. I love author events, even though it’s years since I’ve been to any. I used to go regularly in Sheffield, our Waterstones there held some great ones. I remember seeing David Gemmell, Terry Pratchett, and Derek Longden. But this one is London, which is 2 hours travel on public transport away, and it’s the evening, so I don’t know whether it’s even possible to get home after it, and smallest would not be impressed at being left for a night. And I doubt if anyone would be impressed at her attending. Torn, I’m really torn.
Will have to debate that. Debates aside though, I can’t wait to get my hands on the new book, and finally get to read the ending of Ayla’s story. I bet I’m not the only one counting down the days to it.
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