bookchew's review against another edition
3.0
A beautiful and weird little book that I found oddly comforting. It’s partly a satire on the deluge of “psycho-spiritual heritage” books (lagom, hygge, ikigai, etc), and partly serious. Mostly though it’s a vehicle for statistics about Finland. It is gorgeously designed, and though the content is rather thin, the novelty of having a word for solitary drinking as a means of relaxation is enough to carry the rest of it.
For some, this concept will help ease the shame of “drinking alone” (gasp!). For others it’ll validate what might be a habit verging on abuse. But whatever it is, it sure comes in a pretty package. This book is cute.
For some, this concept will help ease the shame of “drinking alone” (gasp!). For others it’ll validate what might be a habit verging on abuse. But whatever it is, it sure comes in a pretty package. This book is cute.
diadiscovers's review against another edition
3.0
A guide on how to pantsdrunk. The Finnish way of "imbibing alcohol in one's underwear at home without any intention of going out".
"They all spring from the same Nordic origins and share the same ultimate goals; optimal peace of mind, joie de vivre, comfort, equilibrium, and recuperation as embodied in a snug coziness."
It is a fun how-to guide. I enjoyed the illustrations and the little bits of information about Finland and understanding how this way of life came about. Sadly some of the facts are a little outdated now, but still interesting nevertheless. Everyone can easily embrace this lifestyle (though the part about having an alcoholic drink might not appeal to all).
"They all spring from the same Nordic origins and share the same ultimate goals; optimal peace of mind, joie de vivre, comfort, equilibrium, and recuperation as embodied in a snug coziness."
It is a fun how-to guide. I enjoyed the illustrations and the little bits of information about Finland and understanding how this way of life came about. Sadly some of the facts are a little outdated now, but still interesting nevertheless. Everyone can easily embrace this lifestyle (though the part about having an alcoholic drink might not appeal to all).
jenny19ander's review against another edition
4.0
Pojďme se pohodlně usadit na svůj gauč, otevřít si náš oblíbený alkohol a k tomu nějaký seriál z výběru na Netflixu. Tomu říkám dobrá rada.
sips_and_spines's review against another edition
4.0
A fun read to justify a much needed relaxation session on a Friday night. It goes into detail why and when and how but also how to not overdo it. Relax, have a drink, turn on the tv and unwind without feeling guilty!
outerdarkmatter's review against another edition
3.0
There is no right way to get that R&R we all need. This is a beautifully illustrated, quirky, fun read to inspire your own version of päntsdrunk. For me alcohol isn't always necessary, no pants is very necessary, and I'm rarely alone - but it still works.
nattycran's review against another edition
4.0
Päntsdrunk is one of the funniest self help books I've ever read. It is shameless and delightful. It is a philosophy that encourages "spontaneous bathing, belching, intent nose-picking, air guitar-playing, singing, leisurely masturbating, flatulating, talking to yourself, or screaming into a pillow" (page 31). That is the kind of realness that I wanted to be served. As wonder as it is to be told to exercise and journal everyday it is also wonderful to have the beauty in my disgusting habits praised on occasion.
Before you go off thinking that this book is just for humor, it is important to note that the author, [a:Miska Rantanen|4655491|Miska Rantanen|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png], is the director of the Norra Haga Party Central Institute, which appears to be some kind of non-prophet (I cannot read Finnish). "He has spent fifty years researching the Finnish way of life" is all that his bio says. I trust him to write about his own culture.
Outside of enabling our base desires to be gross in solitude, this book does something that humorless self help books like [b:Finding Sisu: In Search of Courage, Strength, and Happiness the Finnish Way|36722041|Finding Sisu In Search of Courage, Strength, and Happiness the Finnish Way|Katja Pantzar|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1513022443s/36722041.jpg|58518522] do not--it advocates for people who are feeling stressed, dependent, or otherwise unwell to seek actual medical attention. It is almost like the author cares about mental health!
The book itself is beautiful. The illustrations are both beautiful and whimsical without distracting from the info graphs and photographs included. What is also awesome about this book is that it is littered with funny little testimonies. A personal favorite is from an individual identified as only "woman, 42, CEO".
Anyone who knows me in my personal life can vouch for the fact that this kind of behavior is iconically me. Self help should be about growing as yourself, not becoming a drone or a knock off version of somebody else. Pantsdrunk enables this.
But what really is Päntsdrunk? It can't be as easy as just getting drunk naked and alone. That is answered as well.
If the Dude abides, we should too.
Before you go off thinking that this book is just for humor, it is important to note that the author, [a:Miska Rantanen|4655491|Miska Rantanen|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png], is the director of the Norra Haga Party Central Institute, which appears to be some kind of non-prophet (I cannot read Finnish). "He has spent fifty years researching the Finnish way of life" is all that his bio says. I trust him to write about his own culture.
Outside of enabling our base desires to be gross in solitude, this book does something that humorless self help books like [b:Finding Sisu: In Search of Courage, Strength, and Happiness the Finnish Way|36722041|Finding Sisu In Search of Courage, Strength, and Happiness the Finnish Way|Katja Pantzar|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1513022443s/36722041.jpg|58518522] do not--it advocates for people who are feeling stressed, dependent, or otherwise unwell to seek actual medical attention. It is almost like the author cares about mental health!
The book itself is beautiful. The illustrations are both beautiful and whimsical without distracting from the info graphs and photographs included. What is also awesome about this book is that it is littered with funny little testimonies. A personal favorite is from an individual identified as only "woman, 42, CEO".
"I joined the Social Democratic Party while päntsdrunk. I read the original party platform from 1903, cried a little, and then joined. I'm still a member." (page 163).
Anyone who knows me in my personal life can vouch for the fact that this kind of behavior is iconically me. Self help should be about growing as yourself, not becoming a drone or a knock off version of somebody else. Pantsdrunk enables this.
But what really is Päntsdrunk? It can't be as easy as just getting drunk naked and alone. That is answered as well.
The most accurate representation of pantsdrunk is, however, to be found in the Coen brothers' cult classic The Big Lebowski (1998). At 32 minutes, there's a scene where the protagonist, the Dude, is lying on the rug, listening to 1987 Venice Beach Bowling League playoffs on his Walkman after downing White Russians. Focus, bliss, contentment!" (page 78).
If the Dude abides, we should too.
librarianinthewoods's review against another edition
2.0
I really wanted to like this book, especially since I enjoyed The Little Book of Hygge so much. There were a few interesting things to read about and I realize my husband and I do enjoy Kalsarkianni at least every few weeks, but overall it could have been shorter by half and had more information. Oh well.