Danish Northwest: Hygge Poems from the Outskirts provides a glimpse into the quaint rural Danish lifestyle. The diverse poems center around an interesting cast of fictional characters living in the small towns of northwestern Denmark. The prose is emotive and appropriately descriptive, and many of the poems themselves are very entertaining. The collection discusses a variety of topics including love, God, and milking cows, and it is divided into three sections: Past, Present and Future.
At times, reading more like short stories than poetry, this collection provides an entertaining insight into Scandinavian farm life. The accounts of people and places feel very much like a Danish version of Lake Wobegon, with IKEA-esque names sporadically used throughout the book. Beyond that, however, the poetry itself drew me in and kept my interest throughout. I was glad that the Past section was the longest of the three because I found it to be the most engaging.
Overall, reading Peter Graarup Westergaard’s work has a soothing and calming effect on your soul. Culturally informative and entertaining, Danish Northwest is a delightful read. Take a break from your hectic lifestyle and spend some time in Thy, absorbing these hygge poems from the outskirts.
