The elephant keepers' children
By: Peter Høeg ; translated from the Danish by Martin Aitken
Contributors: Aitken, Martin
Publisher: Harvill Secker
Published: 2012
Place of publication: London
Language: eng
Number of pages: 392
ISBN-13: 9781846555848; 9781446484708; 9781846555855; 9780099569466
Subjects: Religious tolerance; Families; Missing persons; Domestic fiction; Religious life; Fiction
Work titles: Elefantpassernes børn
Description: Told from the precocious perspective of fourteen-year-old Peter, this book is about three siblings and how they deal with life alongside their eccentric parents. Peter's father is a vicar, his mother is an artisan, and both are equally and profoundly devout. The family lives on the (fictional) island of Fino, where people of all religious faiths coexist peacefully. Yet, nothing is at it seems. When Peter's parents suddenly go missing, Peter and his siblings fear the worst-has their parents' relentless quest to boost church attendance finally put them in danger? Told with poignancy and humor, this is a fascinating exploration of fundamentalism versus spiritual freedom, the vicissitudes of romantic and familial love, and the triumph of the human spirit.
Notes: Translated from the Danish.