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The Year of Living Danishly: Uncovering the Secrets of the World's Happiest Country Kindle Edition

4.4 out of 5 stars 10,293 ratings

* NOW WITH A NEW CHAPTER *

'A hugely enjoyable romp through the pleasures and pitfalls of setting up home in a foreign land.'- Guardian
Given the opportunity of a new life in rural Jutland, Helen Russell discovered a startling statistic: Denmark, land of

long dark winters, cured herring, Lego and pastries, was the happiest place on earth.


Keen to know their secrets, Helen gave herself a year to uncover the formula for Danish happiness.

From childcare, education, food and interior design to SAD and taxes,
The Year of Living Danishly records a funny,

poignant journey, showing us what the Danes get right, what they get wrong, and how we might all live a little more Danishly

ourselves.

In this new edition, six years on Helen reveals how her life and family have changed, and explores how Denmark, too – or

her understanding of it – has shifted. It's a messy and flawed place, she concludes – but can still be a model for a better

way of living.

Popular Highlights in this book

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Giving up isn't always a bad thing; being a dropout can even change your life for the better. Helen Russell was a high-flying glossy magazine editor before moving to rural Jutland in Denmark which, despite its long dark winters, is also statistically the happiest nation on earth. While there, Helen soon discovered there's more to Danish life than cured herring and Nordic knits, as she described in her book, The Year of Living Danishly.”

The Year of Living Danishlyby Helen Russell is an entertaining look at living in Denmark. . .written with humour, insight, and an engaging style…”

The Year of Living Danishly takes a. . . ‘day in the life’ approach to hygge.”

“A hugely enjoyable autobiographical account of upping sticks... to the sticks.”

“Helen Russell writes of her first year living in Denmark. She wrestles with the change of relocation ― just as, in small ways, we wrestle with seasonal change ― and gives us well-researched food-for-thought.”

“A hugely enjoyable romp through the pleasures and pitfalls of setting up home in a foreign land.”

“Russell is possessed of a razor-sharp wit and a winning self-deprecation – two of the things that make this book such a delight.”

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.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00Q8SR5L0
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Icon Books
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ January 8, 2015
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 2.5 MB
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 389 pages
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1848318137
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 out of 5 stars 10,293 ratings

About the author

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Helen Russell
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Helen Russell is a British journalist and internationally bestselling author of The Year of Living Danishly, Leap Year, Gone Viking, The Atlas of Happiness and How To Be Sad - the key to a happier life.

Formerly the editor of MarieClaire.co.uk, Helen has worked as a Scandinavia correspondent for the Guardian, as well as writing a longstanding column for the Telegraph. She now lives in Denmark and writes for titles including The Observer, Stylist, Metro, Grazia and The Independent.

Praise for The Year of Living Danishly:

'A hugely enjoyable romp through the pleasures and pitfalls of setting up home in a foreign land' The Guardian

‘Russell is possessed of a razor-sharp wit and a winning self-deprecation’ The Independent

'The Book that 1) I didn’t put down 2) confirmed that life didn’t need to be so hectic 3) I recommended to all the busy people in my life' Huffington Post USA

'In best-selling travel book The Year Of Living Danishly, Londoner Helen Russell reveals what happened when she swapped the capital for a new life in rural Jutland. It’s A Year in Provence for the modern age' Mail on Sunday

'Learn how to live simply and with joy in Denmark' Forbes magazine, Top Travel Book

'Brilliant - I've actually fallen out with friends I've recommended it to so many people' Rob Beckett

Praise for Leap Year:

'It's brilliant stuff' BBC Radio 2

'A wonderful and humorous book. I can't remember when I last read a book which made me smile or laugh so often. Highly recommended if you're considering leaping into something new or making a change' Meik Wiking, author of The Little Book of Hygge

'Makes some pretty big promises - but with practical life lessons, witty first-hand experiences and no-BS advice, it really does what it says on the tin' Stella, The Sunday Telegraph

'Written in Russell's signature style that fuses honesty with wit, Leap Year is both a heart-warming tale and a useful guide with hints and tips on how to better deal with change ... Leap Year is a charming book that will resonate with readers the world over' The Literary Edit

Praise for Gone Viking:

'Laugh out loud funny with a good dollop of insight - I loved it!' Katie Fforde

'Funny and moving' Good Housekeeping

'She brought us Hygge, and now Helen Russell’s Gone Viking. I laughed out loud as wits-end dentist Alice is put through her norse paces. It’s time we all went a little Viking' Grazia

'Laugh-out-loud comedy with surprising depth at its heart' S Magazine

Praise for The Atlas of Happiness:

'It's a delight, as well as being a gorgeous-looking book. You'll buy it as a gift only to find yourself using it as a crutch to get to spring’ Grazia

‘This beautifully illustrated book takes us on a journey around the world to discover how to be happy’ Psychologies

'In this beautifully illustrated and fascinating guide, she explores the unique methods that countries adopt in order to find inner peace’ Emerald Street

‘This original and informative guide to global happiness provides plenty of inspiration. The perfect read to help you refocus your life and refresh your perspective’ Woman

Praise for How To Be Sad:

'So brilliantly researched and written with great energy. And boy, did it make me think – I must have turned down 50 pages to come back to later!' Pandora Sykes

‘This is such an important subject and we would all be better off if we absorbed Helen’s robust research and kind advice and allowed ourselves to be sad’ Cathy Rentzenbrink

'So brilliant, so heart warming, so extraordinary, so vulnerable and uplifting… wonderful. Should be compulsory reading for everyone' Helen Thorn

'Helen Russell is back with another cracker of a book exploring how our relationship with sadness affects our happiness' Psychologies

‘In any human life there are going to be periods of unhappiness. That is part of the human experience. Learning how to be sad – is a natural first step in how to be happier’ Meik Wiking, CEO, The Happiness Research Institute

‘I didn't think I wanted to read this book until I read it. Then I couldn't stop. An absolutely gorgeous and insightful and intelligent and necessary book’ Hollie McNish

‘A very persuasive account of how accepting sadness as a key part of our human experience can lead to more fulfilment and ultimately more happiness. Full of moving personal insight and brilliant research. This book reframes feeling sad’ Anna Jones

‘Helen brings an entirely unique combination of research, interviews, transparency, and story-telling to every book she writes. Thank you, from all of us’ Joshua Becker, founder of Becoming Minimalist

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
10,293 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book captivating from start to finish, praising its insightful content about Danish life and culture. The writing style is well-crafted, and customers appreciate the author's sense of humor, with many chuckling throughout the read. Customers describe the book as beautiful and charming, with one review noting it's a hygge read. The pacing receives mixed reactions, with some finding it interesting while others mention it can get tedious.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

286 customers mention "Readability"286 positive0 negative

Customers find the book captivating from start to finish, describing it as a brilliant and enjoyable narrative.

"Extremely well written. An easy and enjoyable read...." Read more

"...However, I really enjoyed Living Danishly. It was entertaining and at times light hearted - just what I needed. Highly recommend." Read more

"...there are actually thirteen, along with a hefty prologue, a significant epilogue, and another section called "Top ten tips for living Danishly"...." Read more

"...Highly recommend! Loved every chapter." Read more

242 customers mention "Information quality"236 positive6 negative

Customers find the book insightful and well-researched, providing interesting information about life in Denmark.

"...I appreciate the balanced views and interpretations about the country, politics, and what contributes to happiness...." Read more

"...However, I really enjoyed Living Danishly. It was entertaining and at times light hearted - just what I needed. Highly recommend." Read more

"...book (one per month), there are actually thirteen, along with a hefty prologue, a significant epilogue, and another section called "Top ten tips for..." Read more

"...They are supposedly the happiest country on Earth. That is a point of view. The Danes pay extremely high taxes, being the ultimate welfare state...." Read more

217 customers mention "Humor"211 positive6 negative

Customers enjoy the book's humor, describing it as very enjoyable with hilarious stories that make them chuckle multiple times while reading.

"...I love the author's writing style - humorous, honest, and introspective - and she gives the reader such great understanding of how she and her..." Read more

"...Helen is a hilarious and captivating writer and I really enjoyed learning about Danish culture through her British lense...." Read more

"...A fun book, though at times the attitude of a go-to journalist who was clearly unhappier than she liked to admit got a tad wearing...." Read more

"Laugh out loud funny. This was such a great book. I thoroughly enjoyed it." Read more

122 customers mention "Writing style"115 positive7 negative

Customers praise the writing style of the book, finding it well-crafted and fun to read, with one customer noting its down-to-earth approach.

"Extremely well written. An easy and enjoyable read...." Read more

"...I love the author's writing style - humorous, honest, and introspective - and she gives the reader such great understanding of how she and her..." Read more

"...and she keeps things real the entire time with her dry humor. Highly recommend! Loved every chapter." Read more

"...it clear that what you really need, besides a well-built, snug and orderly house with furniture and candles of the very first order, are something..." Read more

35 customers mention "Charm"31 positive4 negative

Customers appreciate the charm of the book, describing it as a beautiful look at Denmark, with one customer noting its lovely presentation.

"...I learned so much but it was presented in such a lovely way that I happily kept reading from one page to the next, no idea I was being educated..." Read more

"...Her honest depiction of Denmark makes me want to move there (or at least visit!) and she keeps things real the entire time with her dry humor...." Read more

"Denmark is a small, lovely country with allegedly the happiest people in the world...." Read more

"...Hadley great affection for the country, with amazing culture, beautiful citizens and gorgeous countryside...." Read more

24 customers mention "Culture"24 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the cultural insights in the book, with multiple reviews highlighting how it helps readers learn about Danish ways of life, and one customer noting the input from Danish locals.

"...in Denmark, there are a huge number of facts relevant to Danes, Danish living, and human experience in general...." Read more

"...to Denmark and this book has been fun to read to "get " the Danish vibes before you go... even fun to read if you are interested in cultural..." Read more

"...a year of college in Copenhagen and have always Hadley great affection for the country, with amazing culture, beautiful citizens and gorgeous..." Read more

"...author used the perfect combination of humor, research/ statistics , history and geography...." Read more

11 customers mention "Comfort"11 positive0 negative

Customers find the book comforting, describing it as a cozy Danish lifestyle filled with delicious food for thought.

"...People that care about each other. Strong traditions. Great food...." Read more

"...book to anyone who would like to taste what it means to live a cozy, relaxed, honest, warm and enlightened (in spite of long and dark winters)..." Read more

"This is a breezy, funny, extremely well-written book that captivated me from start to finish...." Read more

"...intrigued by this whole hygge thing, this snuggly, warm, comforting cozy Danish lifestyle. But Russell's book goes deeper...." Read more

16 customers mention "Pacing"10 positive6 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the pacing of the book, with some finding it interesting while others mention it can get boring, with one customer noting that the repetition becomes tedious by October-November.

"...humor on a topic that appears superficial on the one hand, but very serious in terms of the "globalization" of happiness, on the other...." Read more

"...2. The writing is very good. Some repetition by October-November was getting tedious. Better editing would have helped. 3...." Read more

"...They see that the benefits are wide ranging and well administered...." Read more

"...to learn the language and assimilate into Danish culture—keeps the book interesting...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on May 27, 2025
    Extremely well written. An easy and enjoyable read. I appreciate the balanced views and interpretations about the country, politics, and what contributes to happiness. It made me think about my own culture and the role of happiness in it and in my own life.
  • Reviewed in the United States on March 28, 2025
    I honestly don’t finish most books - I’m more of a magazine or article gal. However, I really enjoyed Living Danishly. It was entertaining and at times light hearted - just what I needed. Highly recommend.
  • Reviewed in the United States on November 24, 2018
    While the title would indicate there are twelve chapters in the book (one per month), there are actually thirteen, along with a hefty prologue, a significant epilogue, and another section called "Top ten tips for living Danishly". This is much more than a quick romp through living in Denmark as a ex-pat.

    I love the author's writing style - humorous, honest, and introspective - and she gives the reader such great understanding of how she and her husband ended up leaving London for a year in Denmark. While treated with frequent funny asides, the factors coming together to prompt this move are actually significant and relatable. There were so many notes I highlighted while reading, but this one was very early on: "wishing away half your life in anticipation of retirement (albeit an awesome one) was verging on the medieval....the fact that I was dreaming of retirement at the age of 33 was probably an indicator that something had to change."

    Once in Denmark, there are a huge number of facts relevant to Danes, Danish living, and human experience in general. In the January chapter, the element of design is explored such as "research shows that great art and design can even induce the same brain activity as being in love", and "In 2011, scientists at University College London studied this phenomenon and confirmed that looking at something beautiful really can make us happier", and "Paul Henningsen's lamps are so popular here that 50 per cent of Danes have at least one in their home." In February's chapter, the work culture is explored and comparisons to the norm in London made: "Back home, answering an email at midnight or staying at your desk until 8pm was considered a badge of honour. But in Danish work culture, this implies you're incapable of doing your work in the time available." and "Because the welfare state offers a safety net, Danes can change career relatively easily. .......... 25 per cent of the Danish workforce gets a new job every year."

    Not all is rosy and the July chapter talks about the high divorce rate (the fourth highest in Europe) with August explores the phenomenon of "curling parents" - "parents with the brooms who keep brushing in front of their kids, removing any obstacles to make their lives easier".

    By the time I completed the book, I felt like I had a much better understanding of the country and its culture. I learned so much but it was presented in such a lovely way that I happily kept reading from one page to the next, no idea I was being educated along the way.

    Bottom line: I LOVED this book. While I often read books downloaded from the library, I'm so pleased I own this one as I can see myself going back an re-reading sections of it on a regular basis. A trip to Denmark will definitely be in my future and a complete re-read of this fabulous book will be completed before departure.
    18 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on October 11, 2020
    This book was not what I expected. I was looking forward to a interesting look at a different country. The reviews mentioned how humorous and fun the book was. Instead, this is a fish out of water story about a couple who relocate to Denmark for the husband's new job offer, with the wife giving up her job. Sound familiar? There is indeed a great deal of information about how the residents live, their quirky traditions and approach to life. They are supposedly the happiest country on Earth. That is a point of view. The Danes pay extremely high taxes, being the ultimate welfare state. The state pays for childbirth, childcare, schooling, job changes and more. Parents get months of paid vacation to take care of kids. Kids are so important that many marriages break up because people would rather devote more time to kids and work then relationships. There is heavy drinking and lots of sex. They are also (at the time this book was written, which was years ago) dealing with immigration issues. There has been a backlash from some employers about paying so much for women who can't work. Danes tend to trust their fellow man, (the banker who moved a man's funds into a different account on the word of the man's father without notifying the man or getting any kind of permission is horrific to me) including events that would require permission in day care, as well as teachers not getting involved in fights so kids can learn is unusual to say the least. Sexism is rampant despite the we respect all others mantra. As with most situations, there is good and bad. It is not a country singles or childfree people would enjoy living in, since everyone expects you to spend months with family and the notion that grown women would not want children is alien to them. There is a great deal of coverage regarding childcare, schooling and raising a family. The author's pregnancy and birth issues along with family drama tended to bog the book down for me and it became a chore to get through. By the end I just wanted it to be over. The author offers some tips for 'living Danishly' but the reality is you have to find what works for you. Not everyone has or wants a big family and as for limiting choices, that's what Amazon is for. Choice and selection. The author is British and there are a number of digs at Americans in the book. Our country may not be perfect, but I will gladly take our climate, choice and selection any day.
    9 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on December 22, 2024
    The Year of Living Danishly was one of my most favorite reads this year! Helen is a hilarious and captivating writer and I really enjoyed learning about Danish culture through her British lense. Her honest depiction of Denmark makes me want to move there (or at least visit!) and she keeps things real the entire time with her dry humor. Highly recommend! Loved every chapter.
    2 people found this helpful
    Report

Top reviews from other countries

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  • Alexandre Lobo
    5.0 out of 5 stars Leitura imprescindível
    Reviewed in Brazil on August 18, 2017
    Leitura leve, fácil e um aprendizado pra vida. Um povo com uma cultura sensacional. Vale a leitura pra todos interessados no crescimento pessoal
    Report
  • Laura
    5.0 out of 5 stars Regalato anche a mia sorella! :)
    Reviewed in Italy on March 29, 2017
    Libro molto interessante nei contenuti. Ho acquistato la versione Kindle. Si percepisce sin dalle prime pagine sia stato scritto da autrice madrelingua inglese. Ottimo modo per imparare qualcosa: la lingua inglese e la cultura danese.
  • Gaïa
    5.0 out of 5 stars Hilarious and easy to read
    Reviewed in France on August 25, 2019
    I don't remember when I really bought the ebook but one fine day, I.e. Last week, when I did start reading it, I couldn't stop chuckling or laughing out loud at her one liners .... And learnt a lot about the Danes in the process. Her observations are quite objective and kind and I've started liking the Danes as if I've already met some through this book....
  • PTT
    5.0 out of 5 stars Book arrived quickly and in good shape.
    Reviewed in Germany on April 12, 2024
    Very pleased with the speed of delivery and the way the order was packaged.
  • Martin
    5.0 out of 5 stars Good entertainment, an interesting read
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 29, 2015
    This book is partly about Danish culture, partly about the general experience of relocating to a foreign country, and partly about the author's personal life and development. It's well written, easily read, and, in some places, absolutely hilarious.

    Being a journalist by trade, the author knows how to research. She manages to interview a wide range of experts in diverse fields, as well as the friends which she makes along the way in Denmark. Thus, the book is loaded with facts and with comparisons to society in other countries. However, one should keep in mind that, given the fact that she relies upon a well adjusted crowd as informants, the book does not convey the complete picture of life in Denmark. Even fairytale Denmark has its bad neighbourhoods. But if you are a skilled professional moving to Denmark, chances are that you'll pick a good one.

    As I mentioned, part of the story is as much about relocating across borders as it is about the country as such. Having worked as an expat for three years in a neighbouring country, I could relate to a lot of that. Denmark and the UK are similar countries in the greater scheme of things but when it comes to cultural differences, the details matter.

    The book is well structured with each chapter covering a calendar month and an aspect of Danish culture, thus creating a tie between the culture descriptions and the personal story of a British girl spending a year trying to get acquainted with Denmark. Also, the names of persons and of locations are "encoded" as to extract a more general story from the specific one. The husband of the author is known simply as Lego Man and her village of residence as Sticksville-on-the-Sea. It's a neat trick which makes the story easier to relate to.

    Generally, it's spot on. Only small caveat is the desription of the winter weather, which is a bit exaggerated. It's usually gloomy, rarely snowy, and the sea never freezes over in November. In spite of that, five stars for brilliant entertainment.

    PS. Being a resident of aforementioned Sticksville, I found an extra layer of entertainment in trying to decode the place names.

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