Denmark

Ah, Denmark! A land famed for its pastries, indecipherable languages, and an inexplicable fondness for minimalist furniture. In this dauntless exploration penned by the illustrious trio of Joanna Hald, Marek Pernal, and Jakub Sito, you’re not just getting facts; you’re getting a fully-fledged invitation to consider your life choices while contemplating the virtues of hygge. What is hygge, you ask? Well, if you have to ask, you probably haven’t experienced it in a windswept Copenhagen café while simultaneously questioning your entire existence, but fear not, this book might just illuminate your path—or at least distract you from it.

Published in the glory year of 2005, when flip phones were still a thing and Facebook hadn’t ruined society yet, this volume promises a kaleidoscopic view of Denmark that will leave you questioning not just the Danish way of life, but your own life choices. The authors take you on a tour through fjords, fairytales, and a series of unpronounceable place names that will surely make you a more sophisticated dinner party guest—assuming you can master them without breaking into a mild sweat.

What could possibly be covered in this audacious attempt to encapsulate an entire country? You may find your attention diverted to the following highlights, all delivered with the kind of panache only a 2005 publishing company could muster:

• A brief history of Danish royalty, complete with scandalous affairs and a hearty dose of intrigue.
• How to pronounce ’Rødgrød med Fløde’ without making your tongue do the tango.
• A culinary journey which may or may not include inexplicably adding pickled herring to everything.
• Facts about the Vikings that your history teacher probably glossed over.
• The existential dread of long winters and how to combat it with an abundance of pastries.

As you thumb through the pages, you might feel a tug on your heartstrings, or perhaps just a passing thought of how much easier your life would be if you lived in a place where everyone rides a bicycle and drinks coffee like it’s an Olympic sport. Indeed, the authors excel in making you feel simultaneously intrigued and inadequate. You’ll find yourself daydreaming about living in a quaint cottage, while simultaneously wondering if you could even pronounce “Skagen” correctly without sounding like an utter philistine.

Condition: This book has been gently used, which is a euphemism for ‘it has seen better days’. Expect dog-eared pages, perhaps a few coffee stains (who can resist a cup while planning their faux Danish getaway?), and a creased spine that only adds to its character—much like a pair of well-loved clogs. A hint of nostalgia wafts from its pages, suggesting it was once the prized possession of a well-meaning traveler who had grand plans that ultimately led to an awkward holiday in the rain.

Whether you’re an armchair traveler, an adventurer at heart, or simply someone who appreciates a good pastry from afar, “Denmark” serves as both a guidebook and a gentle reminder of how exceptional and bewildering the world can be. Even if your passport is gathering dust, you can at least flick through this volume and pretend to know what a ’Smørrebrød’ is—though you may not want to know what goes into it.

So why not treat yourself to this delightful mishmash of travelogue and existential musings? It’s all available at Crappy Old Books, where you can embrace your inner bibliophile while indulging in a healthy dose of irony. After all, who doesn’t want to be a connoisseur of countries they’ve never visited?

Keep browsing: See more Travel books Other books by Joanna Hald, Marek Pernal and Jakub Sito