The Woman and the Ape (2)
1999 Nominated

The Woman and the Ape

Translated from Danish into English
artwork-image

ABOUT
THE BOOK

Adam Burden is approaching the culmination of his life’s ambitions: domestic bliss in the form of his devoted wife, Madelaine; professional success in the promised appointment to run a radically revamped London Zoo; and (illegal) possession of “a highly intelligent anthropoid ape”. But if Adam has plans, so do Madelaine and Erasmus, the ape. An elopement takes place and the search that follows is not merely for a missing woman and an anthropoid. Peter Høeg was born in 1957 and published his first novel in 1988. His best known book is Miss Smilla’s Feelings for Snow.

ABOUT
THE AUTHOR Peter
Høeg

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.

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.

ABOUT
THE TRANSLATOR Barbara
J. Haveland

Barbara J. Haveland is a Scottish literary translator, based in Copenhagen. She translates fiction, poetry and drama from Danish and Norwegian to English. She has translated works by many leading Danish and Norwegian writers, both classic and contemporary, including Henrik Ibsen, Peter Høeg, Linn Ullmann and Carl Frode Tiller. Her English-language translation of On the Calculation of Volume I by Solvej Balle was shortlisted for the International Booker Prize 2025.

Barbara J. Haveland is a Scottish literary translator, based in Copenhagen. She translates fiction, poetry and drama from Danish and Norwegian to English. She has translated works by many leading Danish and Norwegian writers, both classic and contemporary, including Henrik Ibsen, Peter Høeg, Linn Ullmann and Carl Frode Tiller. Her English-language translation of On the Calculation of Volume I by Solvej Balle was shortlisted for the International Booker Prize 2025.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Country
United Kingdom
Original Language
Danish
Author
Publisher
The Harvill Press
Translator
Barbara J. Haveland
Translation
Translated from Danish into English

RELATED FEATURES

News February 17 2026

2026 Dublin Literary Award Longlist is Revealed

Delve into the 20 novels longlisted this year.
Video December 31 2025

Bidding farewell on our 30 Years Anniversary Year

Let's take a look back at some highlights from past years.
News November 19 2025

2026 Nominations Revealed

69 titles have been nominated by 80 libraries from 36 countries for the 2026 Award
News November 19 2025

2026 Dublin Literary Award Judges Announced

Meet our judging panel for 2026 Dublin Literary Award

STAY CONNECTED

Stay in touch and sign up to our newsletter to receive all the latest news and updates on the Dublin Literary Award.