Rediscovering Our Ancient Roots — The Thinking Of Jean M. Auel
“Life is neither static nor unchanging. With no individuality, there can be no change, no adaptation and, in an inherently changing world, any species unable to adapt is also doomed.”
― Jean M. Auel
A novelist who wrote so well she did the scientists job for them
It’s a massive undertaking to write any novel but… have you seen the size of these books?! Huge. Heavy. Long. Auel said of writing that it is the hardest thing she’s done but the first book, as well as the outline for the entire series, all came through in a huge creative outburst. I find that very interesting.
Jean M. Auel wrote the Earth’s Children series consisting of 6 novels that follow the story of an orphaned cro-magnon girl in Paleolithic era Europe. Writing on this subject required a lot of research. Auel wanted the story’s background to be as accurate as she could possibly make it.
Where she couldn’t gather enough research information, she would just run along with her imagination – which turned out in several instances to be proved accurate as new research emerged.
In interviews I watched of her, you can see how passionate she was about our early ancestors ‘inventing’ art and art as what defines the human species. I also have a strong conviction about our deep connection with art.
“You learn to write by writing, and by reading and thinking about how writers have created their characters and invented their stories. If you are not a reader, don’t even think about being a writer.”
― Jean M. Auel
On the story itself, well it’s unmatched in my estimation of character development.
I have never come across a stronger female lead character in any other story. Life is harsh to the protagonist Ayla from the outset and she faces each challenge with more than bravery. What Auel did so remarkably well is to play this woman’s bravery out in the hidden, internal, feminine sense.
Having no power or authority as a female in the masculine dominated Neanderthal Clan that she was adopted by and grew up with from the age of 5, there was no option for her to express the usual external bravery.
Battles were fought within. The only way they could be. Her strong relationships to her adopted mother, crippled holy man father as well as the great spirit of her totem animal – the cave lion, provided her with wisdom and determination.
It was this relational aspect that turned all of her adversity into something meaningful. So much so that she could bear even the worst abuse by her horrid antagonist, ‘Broud’. I don’t even want to write his name, he’s so terrible. Well done Auel.
Her trials were many. In my plush, modern life, I sure couldn’t handle it. Reading this as a young girl of 12 set me up with a heroine figure that could rise up without raising her voice. She could bear any burden as long as she connected herself to a deeper meaning.
Auel says of her inspiration for this story, she has no idea where it came from. It was just an interesting idea to have a character live amongst others that were substantially different from her.
She wrote a story because she was compelled so strongly to do so and as humans, we are the storytelling animal. It’s what we do. It’s one of the things that defines us as a species and Auel takes us right back to our roots through this incredible work of art.
“The earth we leave is beautiful and rich; it gave us all we needed for all the generations we have lived. How will you leave it when it is your turn? What can you do?”
― Jean M. Auel