The Year of Living Danishly: Uncovering the Secrets of the World's Happiest Country

by Helen Russell

Overview

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 childcare, 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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781785780233
Publisher:	Amberley Publishing
Publication date:	12/03/2015
Pages:	400
Sales rank:	79,199
Product dimensions:	5.10(w) x 7.70(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

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 Daily Telegraph, London.

Table of Contents

Prologue: Making Changes - The Happiness Project ix

1 January - Hygge & Home 1

2 February - Forgetting the 9-5 35

3 March - Leisure & Languages 61

4 April - Great Danes & Other Animals 87

5 May-Traditions & Getting Told Off 105

6 June - Just a Girl 131

7 July- Going Away & Playing Away 159

8 August-The Kids are Alright 183

9 September-Butchers, Bakers & Culture Makers 211

10 October-In Sickness & in Health 239

11 November - 'Here comes the Snow/Sleet/ Soul-destroying Darkness…' 259

12 December-Trusting the Taxman (or Woman) 283

13 Christmas - God Jul! 303

Epilogue: Made in Denmark 337

Top ten tips for living Danishly 349

Acknowledgements 353

Editorial Reviews

The Year of Living Danishly takes a. . . ‘day in the life’ approach to hygge.

From the Publisher

Narrator Lucy Price-Lewis is a perfect fit for this hilarious memoir of British journalist Helen Russell’s attempt to learn why the Danes are so happy after she moves to rural Jutland for her husband’s job. Price-Lewis has a lovely British voice, and she never hesitates over Danish words. She clearly delights in the conversational tone and occasional mocking but genuine respect that Russell brings to her Danish experience. She almost hoots with amused disbelief when Russell discovers the purpose of “adult night” at the local swimming pool and when a farmer explains the rules about flashing bicycle lights no matter how bright the day. Russell is also serious about her mission, and Price-Lewis reflects that purpose. It may be Dancing Cow Day in Sticksville-on-Sea, but a sense of community and a belief in the social contract lead to happiness. A.B. © AudioFile 2016, Portland, Maine

JUNE 2016 - AudioFile