Den Gamle Adam

novel by Pontoppidan

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July 16, 2026

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"Den Gamle Adam" (The Old Adam) is a novel by Danish writer Henrik Pontoppidan, published in 1895. It is characterized by social criticism and a pessimistic irony, reflecting Pontoppidan's disillusionment with societal progress. The novel explores psychological, aesthetic, and moral issues, typical of Pontoppidan's work during the 1890s. Pontoppidan, who shared the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1917, is known for his authentic depictions of Danish life. His novels often blend social commentary with a detached, epic style.1

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Henrik Pontoppidan
…example, Nattevagt (1894; “Night Watch”), Den Gamle Adam (1895; “The Old Adam”), and Højsang (1896; “Song of Songs”). These were followed by a major work, the novel Lykke-Per (1898–1904; Lucky Per, originally published in eight volumes), in which the chief character bears some resemblance to Pontoppidan himself. He is a…
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…example, Nattevagt (1894; “Night Watch”), Den Gamle Adam (1895; “The Old Adam”), and Højsang (1896; “Song of Songs”). These were followed by a major work, the novel Lykke-Per (1898–1904; Lucky Per, originally published in eight volumes), in which the chief character bears some resemblance to Pontoppidan himself. He is a…
Read More