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Reviews
The Almost Nearly Perfect People: Behind the Myth of the Scandinavian Utopia by Michael Booth
erboe501's review against another edition
4.0
Booth manages to pull off a book that informs and entertains. He packs in a lot of history, background, and first-hand observation of the Scandinavian countries. He also lightens everything with his dry British humor (which I enjoyed, for the most part). Country by country, he shares the wonders of the Scandinavian utopia, as well as the less than exemplary aspects. I feel like I understand what makes each country unique and separate from the others. After listening to this book, I feel like I know more about the Nordic North, and I can't decide if that knowledge makes me want to move there or steer clear. Regardless, I definitely want to visit!
kingarooski's review
4.0
My curiosity about life in Scandinavia just got a bit of a boost because of this book. Michael Booth looks at the Nordic nations and examines them carefully, presenting to the reader a balanced picture of all the good and the bad aspects of Denmark, Iceland, Norway, Finland and Sweden.
nina_rod's review
3.0
I am obsessed with the region. As a daughter of a Finnish mother, I've had to hear on-going facts and thoughts of Finland. "We used to have copper mines in the North, but the Soviets took it." "We fought with the Germans in WWII only because we hate the Russians." I felt that as an American, I was ahead of the game actually knowing where Finland is.
Then enter "The Dragon Tattoo" trilogy. I became obsessed with all things Nordic.... Reading Steig Larsson's novels and others: Camilla Lackburg (Sweden), James Thompson (Finland) and Jo Nesbo (Norway). So, I figure I pick up this book to learn more about the region I'm currently obsessed with.
Although I had to read more about Denmark than I ever cared to, I did learn tons about the region and even more my mother did not tell me. "Mom, you guys had a civil war?!" There was so much of the author in this non-fiction... A British journalist living in Denmark. Not only did I learn about the Nordic people, I learned about the British and how they are not like us (Americans) at all. That was probably the most annoying part of this book, looking past the British filter to discovery Scandinavia.
Then enter "The Dragon Tattoo" trilogy. I became obsessed with all things Nordic.... Reading Steig Larsson's novels and others: Camilla Lackburg (Sweden), James Thompson (Finland) and Jo Nesbo (Norway). So, I figure I pick up this book to learn more about the region I'm currently obsessed with.
Although I had to read more about Denmark than I ever cared to, I did learn tons about the region and even more my mother did not tell me. "Mom, you guys had a civil war?!" There was so much of the author in this non-fiction... A British journalist living in Denmark. Not only did I learn about the Nordic people, I learned about the British and how they are not like us (Americans) at all. That was probably the most annoying part of this book, looking past the British filter to discovery Scandinavia.
melissamai's review against another edition
3.0
Not a big fan of Booth's writing, but a huge fan of the places he writes about. While he packed a ton of interesting facts into this book, much of the time it seemed like he was trying too hard to be witty. Nonetheless, the fact that I was walking down memory lane throughout the entire book told me he did a nice job of capturing the realities of each country - I left feeling like I had learned new things about some of my favorite places in the world.
emilyphipps12's review
5.0
This book was fun to read. It is one man's opinion of the Scandinavian countries, and he provides insight through anecdotes. I would recommend.
kimbersul's review
4.0
If you like Bill Bryson, you will like Michael Booth. His style is similar while stil ahving its differences in approach. Ex pat Brit humor vs. American, etc. This is an interesting read and his writing brings out both the best and the worst of all things Scandanavian. I found myself enjoying the dichotomy of wanting to visit the land of my forebears while at the same time asking why in the world I would want to. In the end, Swedes still rule and I will keep it on my bucket list.