Jean Marie Auel (born February 18, 1936 in Chicago, Illinois) is a writer, who is best known for the Earth's Children books, a series of books set in prehistoric Europe which explores interactions of Cro-Magnon people with Neanderthals. Her books have sold 34 million copies world-wide.

Auel was the second of five children. Her father was a housepainter.

The first book in the series was The Clan of the Cave Bear. Since then, she has added to the series with (in chronological order) the books The Valley of Horses, The Mammoth Hunters, The Plains of Passage, and The Shelters of Stone ISBN 055328942X. The sixth book in the Earth's Children series is expected eventually.

Her books have been commended for their anthropological authenticity and their ethnobotanical accuracy. Reviewers have described as "a minor miracle" her work in describing a detailed Ice Age society including general interactions, trading, religious rituals, and relationships. Her books also remind some not to take things for granted, such as the bountiful but limited resources of the earth.

However, the series has been criticised for poor characterisation. The central character, Ayla, excels in the many endeavours she applies herself to (with the exception of singing), and has few discernable character flaws; several critics have described her as a canonical Mary Sue.

Auel is pronounced like "Owl" the bird. Auel has been a member of Mensa International since 1964.

Auel lives in Oregon with her husband Ray and is now working on the final book of the Earth's Children series.

External links

• Jean Marie Auel Bibliography (http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/authors/Jean_Marie_Auel.htm)
• Jean M. Auel (http://www.kirjasto.sci.fi/auel.htm)
• Jean Auel's Earth's Children - The AuelPage! (http://www.geocities.com/auelpage/auel.html)