It is apparent Mrs. Auel wrote this book to cash in on the popularity of her first four Earth's Children books. Much of the writing in "Shelter's of Stone" seems to be copied from the other books. The descriptions of caves, clothes, tools, etc. are wordy and endless. The character's are weak and if there is any plot, I can't find it. Auel uses 741 pages when she could have told the whole story in 25. Save your money and don't buy this one and you can be sure I will not waste my money or time on reading her sixth.