Helen Russell

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.

My Twelve Months Unearthing the Secrets of the World's Happiest Country

A Year of Living Danishly

Nick Gracilla

What makes for happiness? The author—a burnt out London magazine writer—heads to Denmark, home of some of the happiest folks, to find out. An entertaining, light memoir, she hits all the tropes you’d expect (rough winters, lots of drinking, good pastries, translation gaffes) and uncovers many you wouldn’t. In the end, I’m left envious of the level of trust the Danish system cultivates amongst its citizens. The book needs tightening—minute by minute recaps of cooking a meal are a bore. Still, recommended.

Bee 

Really enjoyed learning more about "the world's happiest country". What a fun read.

Roos Havinga

3.5 stars. A very enjoyable, easy read to discover a bit more about Danish culture from an Anglo-Saxon perspective. Russell’s writing style is full of wit, which elevated the enjoyment of reading this book even more. Not a literary wonder by any measure, but nonetheless a great holiday read.

'A hugely enjoyable romp through the pleasures and pitfalls of setting up home in a foreign land' PD Smith, Guardian 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 (not to mention 'hygge') 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.

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

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