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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

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 Denmark Funny Happiness Witty Village Socialism Denmark History

Critic Reviews

"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)
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Really liked this book. Easy to read, funny and very instructive. As someone who has lived in Denmark as a "foreigner", I thought much of what Helen wrote was true, although Southern Jutland does sound a bit tougher. For those searching happiness, it's well worth a read.

Thoroughly enjoyable

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I love this book great narration. I love the outside the square way of life (in comparison to Australia s - wish we could adopt some of their smarts. We have the Sydney Oprah house to thank a Dane - and I love wearing my danish boots with red and white danish flag - Duck Feet shoes and boots

Love Danish philosophy

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this book definitely made for a super-happy me.
it felt like the author was telling me the story, and I very much enjoyed the researched facts as well.
thoroughly enjoyable and I'm hoping there will be a follow-up.
I also need to know what lil Reds name ended up being 😊
thankyou for writing such a lot book.
I'll more assuredly be revisiting it!

definitely 10/10

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Learnt a lot about living in Denmark. Most of it made me want to live there.

Loved it.

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This brings back memories of my three years in Sweden. Intensely frustrating but deeply wonderful.

Memories

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I’ve previously read the hard copy but so enjoyed listening to it after a couple of years. The narrator is great too, calming voice. Do recommend!

Loved.

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I thought this was written very well I was engaged the whole time, the narrator also did a great job. Glad I chose this book, interesting to learn about another country and what makes them a happy nation.

very engaging and interesting thoroughly enjoyed

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This was such a funny book. The writing was witty and I found myself smiling and laughing all the time. The narration was 10/10. I loved the inflictions. A perfect combination. Thank you to both x

The performance was perfect!

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I just loved listening to this being read to me. While I was ironing, cooking or making bread. I will listen to it again & again, employing as many aspects of Living Danishly as possible.

made me smile and laugh

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For anyone looking to live life more simply but in a more fulfilling way than living Danishly appears to be the perfect answer. Well written and well read.

Excellent

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