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The Year of Living Danishly: My Twelve Months Unearthing the Secrets of the World's Happiest Country

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'The Year of Living Danishly: My Twelve Months Unearthing the Secrets of the World's Happiest Country' by Helen Russell follows the author's journey as she moves to Denmark with her husband. Through a year of cultural immersion, Russell explores the reasons behind the Danes' reputation as the happiest people on Earth. delves into various aspects of Danish life, from traditions and government policies to social norms and daily routines, providing insights into what makes Danish society unique. Russell's writing style is described as humorous, engaging, and thought-provoking, offering a blend of personal experiences and research to paint a vivid picture of life in Denmark.

Writing/Prose:

The prose is engaging and humorous, offering a blend of personal storytelling and cultural critique.

Plot/Storyline:

The narrative follows an English woman as she relocates to Denmark, documenting her experiences and cultural observations throughout a year.

Setting:

The setting is Denmark, where the author immerses herself in various facets of local life.

Pacing:

The pacing is brisk and engaging, making it a relatively fast read despite its comprehensive coverage.
It all started simply enough. After a few days off work my husband and I were suffering from post-holiday blues and struggling to get back into the swing of things. A grey drizzle had descended on Lon...

Notes:

Helen Russell moved to Denmark because her husband got a job with the Lego company.
The book explores why Denmark is consistently ranked as the happiest country in the world.
Russell humorously refers to her husband as 'Lego Man'.
She spends a year documenting her experiences and cultural observations in Denmark.
Danes are known for being cheerful, yet some take antidepressants, revealing a contradiction in happiness.
There are issues like unhappy marriages, often due to parents prioritizing their children over each other.
It takes approximately three years and seven months to become a qualified baker in Denmark.
Ironically, Danes enjoy Danish pastries only occasionally, not every day.
In Denmark, the weather is a popular topic of conversation; people like to discuss it extensively.
Many Danes disappear during July for vacations, showing a focus on work-life balance.
The term 'curling parents' describes Danish parents who try to remove every obstacle from their children's lives, akin to the sport of curling.
Russell's writing style is light and humorous, making it an engaging read.
The book highlights Denmark's high taxes and extensive social support systems, which contribute to happiness.
Russell includes a candid look at her own adjustment as an expat, facing culture shock and social differences.
Despite its humor, the book provides serious insights into Danish culture, childcare, and government policies.

From The Publisher:

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.

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Want To Read (4)

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.

 
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