Michael Booth (1) (1973–)

A complex book, lots of modern history, a little bit travelogue, attempts at hard social science... but I have a feeling that when I'm done, all that I'll have learned will be more or less fodder for trivia games and that no conclusions will be drawn about how 'happy' or 'successful' the different countries are.

I wonder if, instead nation by nation, this would have been more satisfying if it were organized metric by metric. A unit on wealth, taxes, economic policies. Another on pensions, education, health & health care. Etc.

I'm finding it hard to get through. No fault of Booth's, he's an engaging and competent writer, and chooses interesting anecdotes. But it's just so much disconnected bits of this and that.

I'll have lots of notes from bookdarts to type in, I do know that much.

Denmark has a saying: "What is lost without will be found within."

A Danish professor says "There is an enormous gulf between these happiness surveys and actual health. Why take these simplistic measures of happiness when we have objective measures of well-being?"

Denmark's 'hygge' is not cocoa and couch blankets. It's more a way of avoiding anything that counters any kind of coziness. Or something.

"A country can, it turns out, be too Nordic, and Iceland is that country."

Lots of vocabulary words. I like bibulous a lot. And obmutescence. Finns are both, says Booth.

Booth recognizes that most Nordic ppl are more or less atheists, but are still influenced by the Lutheran perspectives and imperatives. I think I might agree with that, seeing as I was raised closer to Lutheranism than to any other creed, and I 'get' it.
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Ok done.

Booth writes an epilogue trying to wrap up themes but, indeed, it's not terribly effective. My takeaway is that these are social experiments because they are such very small countries. Iceland is about 1/3 M, for example. A Nordic Union would consist of some 25 M. people. Could be quite a powerhouse in world politics, Booth warns. Then again, that's still less than the population of Texas.

A sort of interesting *exploration* of "the myth of the Scandinavian Utopia. Not really "behind" and most certainly not an exposé.

Only three stars because it took me so bloody long to read it, and here I am writing me review and forgetting what I learned only moments after closing it. Too bad.… (more)

Actual Rating: 4.5
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this! I loved Booth's descriptions of the different areas of Japan he visited and the food he tried there. The educational aspect of it was great, too- I don't think I've ever quite been this invested in a book about food. Learning about the history, making, and cultural importance of all these Japanese foods was so much fun!
Docking half a star because I thought some of the chapters felt "unfinished" or way too short. I wanted a little more information at times.… (more)