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The Year of Living Danishly

Uncovering the Secrets of the World's Happiest Country

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The Year of Living Danishly

Written by: Helen Russell
Narrated by: Lucy Price-Lewis
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About this listen

When she was suddenly given the opportunity of a new life in rural Jutland, journalist and archetypal Londoner Helen Russell discovered a startling statistic: the happiest place on earth isn't Disneyland but Denmark, a land often thought of by foreigners as consisting entirely of long, dark winters, cured herring, Lego and pastries. What is the secret to their success? Are happy Danes born or made?

Helen decides there is only one way to find out: she will give herself a year, trying to uncover the formula for Danish happiness. From child care, education, food and interior design to SAD, taxes, sexism and an unfortunate predilection for burning witches, The Year of Living Danishly is a funny, poignant record of a journey that shows us where the Danes get it right, where they get it wrong, and how we might just benefit from living a little more Danishly ourselves.

Helen Russell is a journalist and former editor of MarieClaire.co.uk. She now lives in rural Jutland and works as a Scandinavia correspondent for the Guardian as well as writing a column on Denmark for the Telegraph.

©2015 Helen Russell (P)2015 Audible, Ltd
Europe Scandinavia Western Europe Funny Denmark Feel-Good Happiness Village Denmark History

What the critics say

"A lovely mix of English sensibility and Danish pragmatism. Helen seems to have understood more about the Danish character than I have! My only worry is that it will make everyone want to have a go and my holiday home area will get overcrowded." (Sandi Toksvig)
"Russell is possessed of a razor-sharp wit and a winning self-deprecation - two of the things that make this book such a delight." ( The Independent)

What listeners say about The Year of Living Danishly

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Best book of 2017

The narrator was a perfect fit. This funny heat warming book made me feel like a stranger in a strange place.... And by the end I found my home. Deffinatly worth a listen or read.

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4 people found this helpful

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So true.

Being from Denmark my self and now living in Canada I could relate and had lots of laughs.
Absolutely loved the book.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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uplifting read

after reading this you will want to move to Denmark or at least start living Danishly where youre at. Makes you look at things differently.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

instructif

beaucoup d,info applicable à tous. Apprendre à être heureux est possible. Êtes vous un 9 ou un 10.

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3 people found this helpful

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a great funny and interesting surprise! don't miss

I loved it!! what a nice surprise! I expect it to be ok and I laughed a lot I think I am happier :) I also moved to a cold country (Canada) and I share many of the anecdotes... loved the sarcastic respectful tone. and WOW what a way to give bring this book alive by the reader!! amazing I enjoyed it a lot. very funny and interesting at the same time. Thanks

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2 people found this helpful

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Listening to this was hygge

I truly enjoyed listening to this book. I loved the wit. It's informative and entertaining. The narrator is a delight, one of the best I've heard!

I can't move to Denmark, but I'm applying some of the principles to get hygge. Thanks!

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  • Overall
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Half novel half essay

It’s an interesting line navigated here, between the nice story of a novel and info and reflexion of an essay. There’s a little inbalance toward too much info and stats at some point where I lost interest. But overall it’s a very pleasant book. Almost made me want in Danemark ;)

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Fascinating

I loved the story, personal, intimate, and amusing. I would enjoy visiting Denmark now learning about the country's history and advanced social system and it's strong happy prople

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Engaging, Educational, Entertaining, Honest

Made me want to move to Denmark! Very interesting listen; I was sorry when the book finished. Well read and well written.

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cute, educational & reflective

this is a cute book. I liked the humour interlaced with the educational content about Denmark. It kept my interest all the way through. It’s also makes you stop and reflect what’s important in life. A good calming read. i’d recommend.

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