froydis's review against another edition
4.0
Thanks to Edelweiss and Atria Books/Marble Arch Press for early access to this title.
This was a really interesting read! I've long found Denmark to be a fascinating country, perhaps, in part to my own Danish heritage. Kingsley has written and informative and easily digestible book outlining some of the unique features of Danish society. In trying to analyze why the country seems to be so much in the world's eye right now, he examines the food, furniture, agrarian ideals, attitudes toward immigration and the burgeoning theatrical excellence of this tiny country. Often cited as the "happiest" country on earth, Kingsley presents a place that is full of contradictions - traditionally minded as well as well as hugely innovative. This is a great read for anyone interested in Denmark, and why this country is so unique in the world.
This was a really interesting read! I've long found Denmark to be a fascinating country, perhaps, in part to my own Danish heritage. Kingsley has written and informative and easily digestible book outlining some of the unique features of Danish society. In trying to analyze why the country seems to be so much in the world's eye right now, he examines the food, furniture, agrarian ideals, attitudes toward immigration and the burgeoning theatrical excellence of this tiny country. Often cited as the "happiest" country on earth, Kingsley presents a place that is full of contradictions - traditionally minded as well as well as hugely innovative. This is a great read for anyone interested in Denmark, and why this country is so unique in the world.
steven_weinstein's review against another edition
4.0
Nordic food revolution, The Egg, The Chair, bicycles, wind turbines, architecture, hygge, knit sweaters, The Killing, Borges. Now I want to move there, of course.
deathlyhellos's review against another edition
4.0
I picked up this book as I am currently dating a Dane and I wanted to get a bit of background on his home country from a different perspective.
How to be Danish is an good read and gives what I perceive to be a well rounded view of Denmark. In places, even my partner learned a few things about his homeland!
If you wish to know more about Denmark, this book is most certainly a good starting point.
How to be Danish is an good read and gives what I perceive to be a well rounded view of Denmark. In places, even my partner learned a few things about his homeland!
If you wish to know more about Denmark, this book is most certainly a good starting point.
leitheoirrialta's review against another edition
The book is like a collection of extended articles on various aspects of modern Denmark: from politics, to design, to television, to cooking, etc. I learned quite a lot about the country considering the book is not particularly long. I'd definitely recommend this as a sort of 101 introduction to contemporary Denmark.
bmoskun's review against another edition
4.0
A good overview of some of the current trends in Denmark, but it focused a little too heavily on Copenhagen.
etak_c's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
fast-paced
3.75
carolinerandolph's review against another edition
3.0
I bought this book while visiting Denmark (mostly because the cover is nice), but it was a good read. I learned a lot about Denmark’s food, welfare state, history, and people. The reason I give this book three stars is because the author put way too much time and energy into the Danish show “The Killing.” It seemed most of the book was about this show, which I had never heard of. Maybe he should have written a novel about “The Killing” instead.