[Transcendence + Shay Savage + Read Feb 2014 + 4.5★]
It’s said that women and men are from two different planets when it comes to communication, but how can they overcome the obstacles of prehistoric times when one of them simply doesn’t have the ability to comprehend language?
Ehd’s a caveman living on his own in a harsh wilderness. He’s strong and intelligent, but completely alone. When he finds a beautiful young woman in his pit trap, it’s obvious to him that she is meant to be his mate. He doesn't know where she came from, she’s wearing some pretty odd clothing, and she makes a lot of noises with her mouth that give him a headache. Still, he’s determined to fulfill his purpose in life – provide for her, protect her, and put a baby in her.
Elizabeth doesn’t know where she is or exactly how she got there. She’s confused and distressed by her predicament, and there’s a caveman hauling her back to his cavehome. She’s not at all interested in Ehd’s primitive advances, and she just can’t seem to get him to listen. No matter what she tries, getting her point across to this primitive but beautiful man is a constant – and often hilarious – struggle.
With only each other for company, they must rely on one another to fight the dangers of the wild and prepare for the winter months. As they struggle to coexist, theirs becomes a love story that transcends language and time.
[My Thoughts & Favorite Quotes]
HOW TO SAY I LOVE YOU WITHOUT WORDS
"Finally, after all this time alone, I have a mate."
✳ I was curious because I've never read a story about a (literally) caveman. And I'm not disappointed! After the first chapter I knew I would like it, but I ended up loving it!
"She is crying, but I don't understand why. Was I already a bad mate for her? Was my cave really that inadequate? I would find her another one—there had to be more around in the rocks. If not, I could search for a new place, one that was bigger and better and perfect for her. I will provide for her. I will protect her. I will give her anything she wants."
✳ Transcendence is an unpredictable, funny and endearing love story.
"My life with Beh was beautiful, transcending everything that set us apart from each other and bringing us together with our family and tribe."
✳ I had read some reviews, so I knew it was a book almost 100% narrative - which usually is a problem for me, but in this case it worked.
✳ Ehd is an adorable, kind and vulnerable (ok, sometimes repetitive - he really wanted to put a baby in Beh!) character and I was able to feel and understand his (and her) emotions even with the lack of dialogues.
"In the darkness of the cave, there is a light inside her eyes that makes my heart beat faster. I know the emotions I see there are also reflected in my own gaze though I have never felt this way before. Beh softly repeats the same three sounds, followed by my name-sound. [...] I know the heart beating below Beh’s palm belongs to her."
✳ Ehd was definitely not the caveman I was expecting! The interactions between him and Beh were really cute: the few words she tried to teach him, the reluctant baths, the touch with noses, even his headaches when she didn’t stop talking (that deep down he loved!) and his attempts to shut her up. And so many others.
"She lies on her side as she continues with her sounds. One of her hands waves back and forth in time with the noises she makes. After a while, I can’t take it anymore, and I reach over to cover her mouth with my hand. She quiets immediately, and I’m grateful."
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