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The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning

How to Free Yourself and Your Family from a Lifetime of Clutter

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The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning

By: Margareta Magnusson, Jane Magnusson
Narrated by: Juliet Stevenson
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The basis for the wonderfully funny and moving TV series developed by Amy Poehler
Döstädning, or the art of death cleaning, is a Swedish phenomenon by which the elderly and their families set their affairs in order. Whether it's sorting the family heirlooms from the junk, downsizing to a smaller place, or setting up a system to help you stop misplacing your keys, death cleaning gives us the chance to make the later years of our lives as comfortable and stress-free as possible. Whatever your age, Swedish death cleaning can be used to help you de-clutter your life, and take stock of what's important.

Margareta Magnusson has death cleaned for herself and for many others. Radical and joyous, her guide is an invigorating, touching and surprising process that can help you or someone you love immeasurably, and offers the chance to celebrate and reflect on all the tiny joys that make up a long life along the way.
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Maybe the reason I loved this book so much, is because, for me it is so timely, with aging parents and in-laws, although it is definitely a topic that we all must approach sooner or later, much better sooner!!
The books length was Perfect, I listened driving home after spending a couple of difficult days with my father-in-law, the perfect therapy.
Plus I adore Juliet Stevenson as a narrative, a kind, gentle voice for such an important topic.

Loved it!

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Listening to "Swedish Death Cleaning" was a real pleasure. Magnusson has led a rich and full life, and her reminiscences about it through her accumulated possessions are a charming delight. I'm afraid I didn't find it *that* useful for de-cluttering purposes. Mainly because I realized that there's too much of my stuff that I want to hang onto until *after* I am no more, though admittedly I am not quite in the same situation she is describing (clearing out her late husband's possessions). Perhaps for different people in different circumstances might find it more applicable though.

I was mildly puzzled by Magnussons' coyness about her age "somewhere between 80 and 100", given her unflinching frankness about mortality: but appreciated that she kept the book to the point and didn't try to drag it out for hours when there was nothing left to say.

Buy the book, and enjoy it - but for decluttering, I recommend Marie Kondo, or "Banish Clutter Forever".

Stevenson is a perfectly solid narrator.

A lovely memoir, but only mildly useful for me.

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The advice delivered by this book is to everyone who seeks to declutter and diminish their possessions when downsizing their living space or simply as they get older .
A careful and amusingly detailed guide to how to sort out your stuff in a practical and un rushed way to simplify your own life and that of your loved ones .beautifully read ,as always by Juliet Stevenson .

Sincere and friendly help

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This book is full of charm, even more so because the author lends us her experiences of 80+ years. It took me a while to get around to writing this review... I've been cleaning, and it feels great!

Practical, inspiring and not at all depressing

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A wonderful way to make us think of our near future. As hoarder it has encouraged me to really get rid of all those unnecessary things and feel good about it

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