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  • The Year of Living Danishly

  • Uncovering the Secrets of the World's Happiest Country
  • By: Helen Russell
  • Narrated by: Lucy Price-Lewis
  • Length: 9 hrs and 39 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (207 ratings)

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The Year of Living Danishly

By: Helen Russell
Narrated by: Lucy Price-Lewis
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Publisher's Summary

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
  • Unabridged Audiobook
  • Categories: 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)

What listeners say about The Year of Living Danishly

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hilariously funny

Absolutely loved this book - as a Dane living in Australia, this has explained so much to me in the most hilarious way. Can't recommend this book enough.

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1 person found this helpful

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Interesting and engaging

I really liked the way this book was set out, in months. I really enjoyed the research and statistics included, and the journalist approach of the author. I really valued the very grounded, down to earth, humanness it offered. Well worth the read/listen.

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Memorable

Having lived in Denmark myself this was a fun trip down memory lane. Danes are awesome and winters are bleak. Taxes are high but so is their standard of living. I enjoyed Helens humour and found myself giggling often.

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Fabulous listen

Great narration, and a great read for anyone who is interested in Scandinavian, particularly Danish culture and way of life. Really enjoyed it.

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great writing and narrating

funny, informative, touching; very talented author and voice actor. will have you yearning for pastries

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Really enjoyed it

The narrator is fabulous! An interesting book from an anthropological point of view. Laugh-out-loud funny in many places. Cleverly written & full of delightful turns of phrase. I learned a lot & had fun doing it. (However, there were some sexy things I’d rather not have known.) Highly recommended.

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Excellent

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.

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very engaging and interesting thoroughly enjoyed

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.

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Loved.

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!

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Brilliant

Loved it. Informative yet easy to listen to.
Made me want to move to Denmark.

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