Ayla just didn't seem like a woman who was about to join and establish a new hearth with a man she loved. There was no joy, no excitement. Something was missing. Something called Jondalar.

She received honorary degrees from her alma mater as well as the University of Maine and the Mount Vernon College for Women. Auel attended Portland State University. [citation needed] While a student Jean M. Auel joined Mensa and worked at Tektronix as a clerk (1965–66) a circuit board designer (1966–73) technical writer (1973–74) and a credit manager (1974–76).

As of 2010 her books have sold more than 45 million copies worldwide. She is best known for her Earth's Children books a series of novels set in prehistoric Europe that explores interactions of Cro-Magnon people with Neanderthals.