> Renault Philippe. «Les enfants de la Terre», I. Ayla, l'enfant de la Terre, II. La vallée des chevaux, III. Les chasseurs de mammouths, IV. Le grand voyage. par J.-M. Auel, 1981-1990.
In: Karstologia : revue de karstologie et de spéléologie physique, n°23, 1er semestre 1994. p. 64.… ; (en ligne),
URL : https://www.persee.fr/doc/karst_0751-7688_1994_num_23_1_2332_t1_0064_0000_4

One of those series that's interesting, and that I enjoy reading, in spite of my dislike of most of the characters.

The Miss Yopougon preparations are reaching a fever pitch. Bintou's father declare's he intends to take on a second wife, a girl Bintou's age who was promised to him by a friend, though Bintou's mother doesn't intend to take this news lying down. Aya discovers who the "mystery lady" of Albert's nightly rendez-vous is, but isn't in a position to reveal his secret. Meanwhile, the town's talented hairdresser, Innocent, comes out of the closet and tells her he must move to Paris so he can live his life as a gay man openly. Aya's father must work hard to regain his wife's and Aya's respect, having lost if for good reason. Moussa, who overhears a conversation his father is having and convinced the latter doesn't care about him, decides to break into his safe and take to the road. ( )

Refreshing read. Even though the story doesn't really go anywhere it gives insight in daily life in Ivory Coast (in the 1980's). The story focuses on male-female relationships. Funny interludes. Lively characters. Nice drawings. Nothing exceptional, yet recommended if you're interested in gaining a new or at least fresh perspective on this little known west African country. ( )