The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning Audiobook By Margareta Magnusson cover art

The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning

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

Preview

Try for $0.00
Prime logo Prime members: New to Audible?
Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning

By: Margareta Magnusson
Narrated by: Juliet Stevenson
Try for $0.00

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $11.24

Buy for $11.24

Confirm purchase
Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.
Cancel

About this listen

A charming, practical, and unsentimental approach to putting a home in order while reflecting on the tiny joys that make up a long life.

In Sweden there is a kind of decluttering called döstädning, meaning "death" and städning meaning "cleaning." This surprising and invigorating process of clearing out unnecessary belongings can be undertaken at any age or life stage but should be done sooner rather than later, before others have to do it for you.

In The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning, artist Margareta Magnusson, with Scandinavian humor and wisdom, instructs listeners to embrace minimalism. Her radical and joyous method for putting things in order helps families broach sensitive conversations and makes the process uplifting rather than overwhelming.

Margareta suggests which possessions you can easily get rid of (unworn clothes, unwanted presents, more plates than you'd ever use) and which you might want to keep (photographs, love letters, a few of your children's art projects). Digging into her late husband's tool shed and her own secret drawer of vices, Margareta introduces an element of fun to a potentially daunting task. Along the way listeners get a glimpse into her life in Sweden and become more comfortable with the idea of letting go.

©2018 Margareta Magnusson (P)2018 Simon & Schuster
Grief & Loss House & Home Personal Success Witty Inspiring Marriage Funny Cleaning House
activate_Holiday_promo_in_buybox_DT_T2

Critic reviews

"Recounting the author's tips and anecdotes from her own death cleanings (for departed loved ones and herself), [narrator Juliet] Stevenson sounds like she's reading a charming story and captures all the poignant humor and wisdom of this book." (AudioFile)

Featured Article: A Future Corpse's Guide to Death Acceptance


Confronting death does not necessitate a spiral into despondency. Instead we may come a realization that, in acknowledging and accepting this fate, we paradoxically lead fuller and more emotionally present lives. In this list, scholars, physicians, journalists, philosophers, and death professionals share their stories, perspectives, and advice, offering a glimpse into how we can prepare for the end with grace, heart, and humor.

What listeners say about The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    914
  • 4 Stars
    270
  • 3 Stars
    181
  • 2 Stars
    65
  • 1 Stars
    44
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    986
  • 4 Stars
    190
  • 3 Stars
    74
  • 2 Stars
    31
  • 1 Stars
    20
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    790
  • 4 Stars
    242
  • 3 Stars
    160
  • 2 Stars
    56
  • 1 Stars
    50

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Home like story, very vivid. I found it practical

Narrator made this story as well. Without her voice and intonation touch it would a bit boring. Will certainly buy with this narrator.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

32 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Gently Presented and Insightful

Unlike the a lot of the other books of this genre, this one presents the reasons for and aesthetic of why we should consider Death Cleaning. This can serve as a stand alone or a springboard into the Minimizing of one’s possessions. Refreshing in that it isn’t a “Dump your entire closet onto the floor while you talk to each item” or “30 days/30 items per day” or Capsule Your Life. Just a pleasant read that persons of all ages and especially persons in our “Maturity” will appreciate. The reader has a lovely voice. Time well spent.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Not what I was expecting.

Entertaining to listen to. I was expecting a bit more on self help. 1 2

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

great for the over 40 out here. I loved every word

I have been examining this subject many years. Parents death,in-laws passing two daughters,a daughter in law.
I'm at this time teeing to figure out how to pare back. This book was perfect on everything. sending it to my newly married granddaughter.
maybe she can learn to be a minimalist now.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Absolutely wonderful and touching book

I’m 37 years old, a mother of 3, and this book has made me think and reflect about my life and belongings.
So many words of wisdom there are in this book.
Thank you so much Margareta.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great Book for Motivation to Remove Clutter!!!

Easy book to listen to---short & to the point, but not boring & overly stuffy. Would definitely recommend to those who are getting older and to those who want to declutter their lives, but are having problems starting!!!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent thanks

At first I felt odd about listening to this book, because of the subject matter. However, very glad I listened to it. It is intriguing, helpful and very educational. Also seemed very personable in it’s delivery

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

So good

I cried and laughed and danced and all the things. Read it. Listen, ok? Clean.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great ideas

I liked all the idea she gives for dejunking and getting things in order. When my parents died they had SO much random stuff. It was a bit overwhelming.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Cleaning inspiration

This book has been very helpful in so many ways, and a delight to listen to!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!