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  • The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning

  • How to free yourself and your family from a lifetime of clutter
  • By: Margareta Magnusson
  • Narrated by: Juliet Stevenson
  • Length: 2 hrs and 37 mins
  • 4.3 out of 5 stars (58 ratings)

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The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning

By: Margareta Magnusson
Narrated by: Juliet Stevenson
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Publisher's Summary

A charming approach to putting your life in order so your loved ones won't have to. There's a word for it in Swedish: Döstädning, literally, 'death cleaning'.

Swedish-born Margareta Magnusson is, in her words, 'aged between 80 and 100'. When her husband died, she had to downsize her home. The experience forced her to recognise the power of 'death cleaning' and the concerns that must be addressed in order to do it with thought and care. Done well, the approach not only makes things easier for your loved ones later on; it allows you to revisit the lifetime of memories accumulated with your things.

From clothes and books to stuff you just can't get rid of, stuff that matters only to you, The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning offers indispensable advice on questions you will inevitably face when sorting through a lifetime of objects: How do you deal with your secrets? Tackle photographs and letters? Avoid heirs fighting over your belongings after you are gone?

This charming, practical audiobook based on personal experience and anecdotes will guide you in making the process uplifting rather than overwhelming: it focuses on the importance of living - even through death cleaning.

©2017 Margareta Magnusson (P)2017 Canongate

What listeners say about The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning

Average Customer Ratings
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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Okay, but not great

Definitely written for older people. There are better books on decluttering & minimalism if you're looking. But this was an easy, gentle listen.

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

Not a bad introduction into decluttering

Was a pretty good intro to the lifestyle habit of decluttering….
Overall though there are many others that tackle the psychology of decluttering more effectively.
Go on YouTube and search minimalism to get a better range of tactics.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Easy to listen to and practical advice

Very easy to listen to and as the title says - gentle introduction to decluttering but aimed at the most important type of decluttering. It’s motivated me to think about and take action. Very practical advice.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Loved this book!

Great book, loved listening about decluttering and not making it your family’s problem.
I started declutering as soon as I finished the book and put aside items I want to say goodbye to after years of having them in my cupboards. I have recommended it to many people.

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

Happy thoughts on mortality....

Confronting issue for us all. Put into focus without gloom. Much of the content is not new. I've thought about lots of its points already. The strength is in the logic, simplicity and written pace which makes it a quick page turning read generating mental nods of agreement as I work my way through it.

The narrative voice (and the superb reader) is as gentle as the title predicts.

The writer's personal anecdotes underscore but do not labour her message.

Strange to say. I found this book charming. I began reading with the intent to gain discussions points to help me influence my very aged mother in getting her act together. Completely unexpectedly, I've realised that it is ME who must get my act together!

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Practical and entertaining

I enjoyed the very personal touch that Margareta gave to this guide to death cleaning. Very well read by Juliet Stevenson.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Wonderful

Stevenson lends her soothing voice to Magnusson's reflections. More than just a book about cleaning.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Sweet, soulful pragmatism

The narrator read the story of a life beautifully. Inspiration to simplify. Love the audiobook.

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

A book for the older generation for sure.

I'll admit I am literally not the target demographic being in my late 20's. This book was recommended to me for decluttering and in some ways it will be useful only in that its premise is good. But as a book targeted at older people I found the disparaging remarks towards young people annoying. Each chapter is repetitive and gives the same message over and over.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Lovely - as far as it goes

Very simple. Not too long. I picked up a couple of tips, but certainly not a thorough manual on how to tidy up and sort your stuff. The reader has a very rich voice, with perfect intonation and articulation. But it drove me crazy - artificial, and definitely not the voice of the author. It was just the wrong sound.

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