[Image description: Text per below. A stack of antique books in on the left against a mahogany background, with text in a pale yellow, and the GCTC and Octopus Books logos at bottom right.]
Stages & Pages
Join GCTC and Octopus Books
Sunday, November 30th from 12:30 to 1:30 pm
as we discuss
The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning
How to Free Yourself and Your Family from a Lifetime of Clutter
by Margareta Magnusson
presented by Kelly Butler, founder of Community Deathcare Ottawa
About the book:
The original, official, bestselling guide to Swedish death cleaning—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, dö 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 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 readers 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 readers get a glimpse into her life in Sweden, and also become more comfortable with the idea of letting go.
Please RSVP to boxoffice@gctc.ca
[Image description: Book cover for “The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning” by Margareta Magnusson. Features icons of household furniture and items in shades of blue, green, and yellow, arranged in the shape of a house.]
Buy the book from Octopus Books, or pick it up from the GCTC Shop.
What is Stages & Pages?
A book talk series hosted by Octopus Books, exploring themes from GCTC’s mainstage shows.
Join us on the first Sunday of the show run, where a local expert will present and lead a discussion on a selected book. Octopus Books staff, who have read our 25-26 scripts, have selected an accompanying book based on themes in the show. Whether you read the book in advance or pick up a copy while you are here, we aim to further enhance your experience of the show.
This presentation is free, and takes place before our Pay-What-You-Decide performance. We encourage you to stick around to watch the show.
Note: Books selected for the program further explore themes or subject matter in or inspired by the show. They do not necessarily reflect the plot of the show.