The Almost Nearly Perfect People

November 24, 2014
In his latest cultural exploration, British journalist and travel writer Booth (Eat Pray Eat) covers the countries that invariably dominate the top ten lists of best/healthiest/most egalitarian places to live: Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden. Beginning with his adopted home of Denmark, Booth sets out to address whether the quality of life in Nordic countries is really so high, and if so, why. He describes the Danesâ relaxed attitude toward work and their almost aggressive egalitarianism. The latter is a trait shared by many of their Nordic neighbors and epitomized by the Jante Law (a Danish ten commandments of sorts), which states that one shouldnât think heâs better than anyone else and that no one should be made fun of. Thatâs tough for Booth, whose dry wit permeates the book, but he skillfully avoids mockery (he treats Icelandersâ persistent belief in elves with restraint). Norwayâs âdecentralized population of small, isolated communities speaking hundreds of regional dialects, coupled with a heightened respect for their natural surroundings, are two of the keys to understanding the Norwegians,â Booth writes. But he also discovers some chinks in the utopian armor: isolationism, persistent racism, a distrust of foreigners, and growing fissures in a classless society (as more and more Danish parents steer their children toward private schools, for example). Booth has written an immersive, insightful, and often humorous examination of a most curious culture.

December 1, 2014
A shrewd look at Nordic life.From Denmark, where he has been living for the past 10 years, British journalist Booth (Eat, Pray, Eat, 2011, etc.) set out on a jaunt through Scandinavia to investigate questions that mystified him: Why are the Danes, Finns, Swedes, Icelanders and Norwegians considered to be so "brilliant and progressive?" What accounts for the alleged Scandinavian miracle of economic and social equality? Are Danes really the happiest people in the world? In this bright, witty cultural critique, Booth concludes that Scandinavia's success is no myth. Despite "historical skeletons" in some countries' closets, irresponsible financial decisions that led to Iceland's bankruptcy, virulent right-wing constituencies, and homogeneity that results in societies "a little too safe and dull, and insular," Scandinavia, the author believes, truly is an "enviably rich, peaceful, harmonious, and progressive place." In Denmark, paying the highest taxes in the world (72 percent in total) is seen as a contribution to the social good. Oil has made Norway the richest country-outpacing even Saudi Arabia-and sound fiscal stewardship funds generous social programs. In Finland, high status for teachers results in the best students competing for places in education programs and, consequently, excellent schools nationwide. Booth sees high-quality, free education as "the bedrock of Nordic exceptionalism." Though he celebrates the region's achievements, Booth is clear about the challenges ahead: in Denmark, fostering initiative in a society that extols thrift, caution and "sacred, ordinary mediocrity"; in Norway, maintaining "incentive to work, study, and innovate" in a society where one-third of working-age Norwegians "do nothing at all...proportionally the largest number in Europe." Blithely reporting on the many quirks in dress (Norwegian dirndls), food (an odiferous Icelandic fish specialty) and excessive drinking (everywhere) that he encountered on his journeys, Booth offers an affectionate, observant, engaging look at Scandinavia, where trust, modesty and equality proudly prevail.

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January 1, 2015
If, like many, you may never make it to Denmark, Iceland, Norway, Finland, or Sweden, this is your book, and Booth is your guide. He is congenial, game, funny, and observant. And he tells it like it was (Who forgot to sit on a towelin the highest and hottest row, no lessin the all-buff Finnish sauna?). This travelogue is filled with personal experiences, opinions, research, and details memorable, hilarious, and downright peculiar (check out the percentage of Icelanders who currently believe that elves exist). Can we blame the booze, poured freely in most places and probably needed to give a bit of warmth in these cold regions? No. But we can raise a glass to the endurance, honesty, quirkiness, and human-foible- and honor-filled denizens Booth introduces us to, from local citizens to higher-ups, on the job and not. Thanks to Booth's good-natured description of his adventuresand his honest admirationwe may head for Scandinavia after all (bringing some elf-off spray, just in case).(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2015, American Library Association.)

August 1, 2014

Why are the highly taxed Danes so happy? Is the Finnish school system really so hot? These are some of the questions journalist Booth asked himself as he traveled through the five Nordic countries, puzzled after living more than a decade in Denmark by the uniformly glowing press that Scandinavia now gets. "Strenuously humorous" (the Guardian).

Copyright 2014 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

February 15, 2015

In this historical travelog, Booth (Eating Dangerously) examines the question of what exactly makes Nordic countries--in this case Denmark, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, and Finland--consistently rank among the happiest in the world. A transplanted Englishman, Booth has embraced the culture of his new home of Denmark and takes advantage of his outsider's point of view to uncover the truth behind Nordic societies. His discussions touch a wide example of life, culture, politics, and history and include information drawn from interviews, research, news sources, and literature. There is mention of Finland's prized education system, made famous by Amanda Ripley's The Smartest Kids in the World and discussion about the increasing oil production in the North Sea and its impact on both Norway and Denmark. However, Booth's narrative is tempered by his wry and often sarcastic commentary that can, at times, distract from his cogent arguments. For example, he tangentially describes the irreverent ways in which Danes, Swedes, Norwegians, and the Finnish joke about one another; especially since Finland is a former Swedish territory. VERDICT Overall, a quick and enjoyable read that is perfect for readers interested in deeper understanding of the cultures behind the headlines. [See Prepub Alert, 7/14/14.]--Elizabeth Zeitz, Otterbein Univ. Lib., Westerville, OH

Copyright 2015 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.