Looking for books set in Denmark? Press play above to hear us discuss five books we love set in Denmark: a modern crime classic, a memoir about why Danish people are so deeply contented, a thriller with a strong sense of the Faroe Islands, a poetic novel about witches (with a unique narrator), and a magical, multi-generational family saga about the sea — plus pastries, wild swimming, and hygge.
Nestled between the North and Baltic Seas, just north of Germany, Denmark is one (excellent) place made up of lots of places: more than 400 islands, Greenland, the Jutland Peninsula (which, BTW, is so much fun to say: sounds like YOOT-lan), and the Faroe Islands (which are a 40-hour ferry ride away in the far North Atlantic).
Every blog post, travel guide, and video will tell you that Denmark is laid-back and chill. All evidence seems to point in that direction; the country routinely ranks in the top five happiest nations in the world. It does seem quite idyllic, all sparkly and fresh: water, sky, and land, bright with wildflower fields, colorful boats ferrying among the islands, cozy little Lego-ish houses with grass roofs, and so. many. bicycles.
Sure, there were marauding Vikings — but there is also Denmark’s creative Golden Age, Hans Christian Andersen, Tivoli Gardens, two (beautiful) historical libraries, and New Nordic Cuisine.
In this episode of Strong Sense of Place, we talk about the magic of wild swimming, learn whether or not Danishes are truly Danish, discuss how Danes eat like bears, and get very excited about a rabbit island. Then we recommend five books that took us to Denmark on the page:
Smilla’s Sense of Snow by Peter Høeg — an immigrant story (with attitude) masquerading as a breathless thriller
The Year of Living Danishly by Helen Russell — a very funny, fish-out-of-water memoir that investigates just why the Danish people are so happy
The Blood Strand by Chris Ould — a story of family reckoning (and police procedural) set against the beautiful, forbidding Faroe Islands
We, the Drowned by Carsten Jensen — a multi-generational family saga and glorious adventure about a small sailing town across time
The Wax Child by Olga Ravn — a mashup of historical fiction and Gothic fairy tale where the witches are real
If our Denmark episode has you seeking more about Scandinavia, we’ve also got episodes on Norway and Sweden, a peek inside the Codex Gigas (aka, the Devil’s Bible), and an essay devoted to the pastry-centric delight that is fika. To keep it even more chill, here’s our list of 8 Great Books Set in the Arctic That We Love.
Read the full transcript of Denmark: Gettin’ Hygge With It.
Eat Copenhagen by Trine Hahnemann
Wanderlust: An Eccentric Explorer, an Epic Journey, a Lost Age by Reid Mitenbuler
The Old Man and His Sons by Heðin Brú, translated by John F. West
The Atlas of Happiness: The Global Secrets of How to be Happy by Helen Russell
How to Be Sad: Everything I’ve Learned About Getting Happier by Being Sad by Helen Russell
The Danish Secret to Happy Kids: How the Viking Way of Raising Children Makes Them Happier, Healthier, and More Independent by Helen Russell
Cycling
Danish Golden Age
Hans Christian Andersen
Black Diamond Library
Old University Library
Outdoorsy Pursuits
Food
Statement 1: Danishes aren’t Danish.
Statement 2: USB — the standard for data transmission and power delivery — is a three-letter Danish acronym.
How Bluetooth Got Its Name — This is the primary source; Kardach himself telling the story
Ajay Bhatt - Wikipedia — the real USB inventor
Statement 3: A Danish man once released himself from being buried alive in an Arctic blizzard by carving his way out with a tool made from his own frozen poop.
Did Explorer Peter Freuchen Save His Life with a Poop Chisel?
Thule Air Base on Wikipedia — the former Thule Air Base, near where Freuchen founded his trading station
Smilla’s Sense of Snow by Peter Høeg
BBC Book Club podcast — highly recommended
Peter Høeg interview: ‘There was not better, only eternal falling.’
We, the Drowned by Carsten Jensen
The Blood Strand by Chris Ould
The Year of Living Danishly by Helen Russell
The Wax Child by Olga Ravn
Denmark is rich with musicians. Here are a few examples.
Habadekuk takes traditional Danish fiddle tunes — the kind that have been played at village dances for two hundred years — and blows them up with a nine-piece big band with horns, drums, and swing. It’s the sound of a great-grandmother’s wedding reception if the reception had a killer brass section and a modern sense of humor.
Dreamer’s Circus is a trio — fiddle, accordion, and cittern — who play Nordic folk and pepper it a bit with the jazz tradition. Excellent for a fall drive through the woods.
Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen was a Danish jazz bass player, and one of the greats of the 20th century. He played with the giants – Bill Evans, Sonny Rollins, and 15 years with Oscar Peterson. This track is from his 1975 album ‘Jaywalkin’, one of over 400 that he worked on in his lifetime.
I have no idea if the brothers that make Hansen have a Danish background – they are originally from Tulsa. This version of their hit song, “MMMBop.” is from The Distance, a UK duo.
Almost thirty years after its release, it still strikes me funny that this outrageously catchable dance tune has the lyrical content of a goth dirge about the impermanence of life. When you get old, start losing your hair, can you tell me who will still care?
And in an mmmbop, we’re gone.
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