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Jean M. Auel – Clan of the Cave Bear Author, From Portland Oregon

Jean M. Auel

By PDX People

Born in 1936, Jean M. Auel’s didn’t start out in life as a novelist, after starting college at the University of Portland she worked at Tektronix as a clerk a circuit board designer, technical writer, and credit manager until she started researching her most well-known book Clan of the Cave Bear in 1977.

Clan of the Cave Bear tells the story tells the story of Ayla, a young woman who is left alone to fend for herself in an unfamiliar land. The historical fiction novel was a first of its kind because Mrs. Auel thoroughly researched survival techniques including how to make fire, construct an ice cave and other skills that early humans had to know how to survive.

Published in 1980, Clan of the Cave Bear became an international best-seller and the book was also adapted into a screenplay then 1986 film starring Daryl Hannah.

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World Wide Acclaim

Jean M. Auel’s Clan of the Cave Bear book stands the test of time thanks to the extensive research that the author put into writing the book and the accompanying novels in her Earth’s Children series.

Mrs. Auel traveled “Old Europe” extensively with Dr. Jean Clottes and was able to gain a clear understanding of what life may have been like between Neanderthal’s and Cro-Magnon humans.

Her 1982 follow-up book Valley of Horses was another huge success as the book continued the story of Ayla from Clan of the Cave Bear.

At 500 pages, Valley of Horses isn’t a light read by any means but it’s a historical fiction novel that draws you in and it’s hard to put down.

Jean M. Auel Today

At the age of 80 years old Jean M. Auel doesn’t show any sign of slowing down, her final book in the Earth’s Children Series which tells the story of Ayla and her mate Jondalar was published in 2011.

Mrs. Auel continues living in Portland Oregon with her husband Bernard.

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