"The Clan of the Cave Bear" by Jean M. Auel

   

"The Clan of the Cave Bear" by Jean M. Auel.  Don't let the hardcover of this novel intimidate you, its nowhere near the length of Ann Karenina. This novel is unlike any other, here we have a beginning of civilization story which embeds cavemen with modern characteristics. 
 A cave woman struggles to show her independence, as a woman, in the stone age when modern conveniences, like houses, grocery stories and social networking are out of the picture.   

The cavemen and cave women in this story were separated according to clans and how evolved each clans physical appearance seemed to be.  Some clans would literally have more hair on their backs, seeming more cavemen like then other clans, some clans would also lack language skills. Some clans would use women as sexual objects and would exchange their women mates readily according to their desire. (discographies)
The female cave woman, Ayla, proves to be the strongest: abandoned by her original clan at a young age Ayla came to live with the clan called "the others".  Her blue-eyes and pale skin would contrast with theres, and "the others" would use her as a slave and abuse her; calling her names and pairing her up with the worst man in the tribe.  Ayla's strong demeanor gave her a willingness to never give up, in order to survive for her daughter's sake.(the global Dig)