The Elephant Keepers’ Children

Translated from the original Danish by Martin Aitken

2014 Longlist

Peter and Tilte are trying to track down two notorious criminals: their parents. They are the pastor and the organist, respectively, of the only church on the tiny island of Finø. Known for fabricating cheap miracles to strengthen their congregation’s faith, they have been in trouble before. But this time their children suspect they are up to mischief on a far greater scale.
When Peter and Tilte learn that scientific and religious leaders from around the world are assembling in Copenhagen for a conference, they know their parents are up to something. Peter and Tilte’s quest to find them exposes conspiracies, terrorist plots, an angry bishop, a deranged headmaster, two love-struck police officers, a deluded aristocrat and much more along the way.
Part adventure story, part study of human nature, The Elephant Keepers’ Children is a delightful and thought-provoking novel from the prizewinning Danish author Peter Høeg.

(From Publisher)

About the Author

Born in 1957, Peter Høeg published his first novel in 1988, having followed various callings – dancer, actor, fencer, sailor, mountaineer – before turning seriously to writing. His novels Miss Smilla’s Feeling for Snow and The Quiet Girl were published to great international acclaim.