In recent years, we’ve seen a plethora of lifestyle trends going viral. It all started in 2016 with ‘hygge’, the Danish concept that posits that being cosy = being happy. Since then, we’ve had Sweden’s ‘lagom’ (the Goldilocks-esque ‘not too much, not too little’ approach to a frugal life) and the Nordic ‘friluftsliv’, which is all about embracing being outdoors without disrupting nature.
But it’s not just the Scandinavians who can champion a cosseting way of life. Here in the UK, we’ve got what we are dubbing ‘cosy culture’ – that feeling of warmth you get when hunkering down with a well-thumbed book, classic film or beloved tale being read aloud to you (Audible has some nostalgic titles to get you in the mood).
Christmas is the best excuse of all to return to familiar favourites. Case in point: the films we watch, which rarely – if ever – change, from the light-hearted family ones to the Hollywood classics. Each year, our first watches of these films mark the beginning of the festive season, made all the better if screened in front of a crackling fire with a glass of mulled wine and a group of friends.
Curling up with classic novels also feels permissable, as we spend most of our time holed up indoors. In terms of authors, there’s probably no one more associated with this time of year than Charles Dickens, the national treasure responsible for A Christmas Carol. But aside from his most famous festive tale, there are also his other greats, from Oliver Twist to David Copperfield. The latter is a particularly comforting tonic, with its classic coming-of-age plot and unforgettable characters, from David’s surrogate mother Peggotty to the scheming Uriah Heep.
An audiobook is the perfect accompaniment to the chaos of the festive whirl. Audible’s take on David Copperfield, for example, features the dulcet tones of up-and-coming star Ncuti Gatwa in the titular role, with supporting parts taken by the recognisable voices of Helena Bonham Carter, Theo James and Jessie Buckley. Voice actors have to work twice as hard to get their character across, with their considered intonations, pregnant pauses and other vocal quirks allowing you to completely understand their nuances. The soundscape, too, transports you instantly to Dickensian London. The clever Dolby Atmos tech really envelopes your senses, from cracks of the cane at David’s boarding school, Salem House, to the underwater mics used by the actors during the shipwreck. It also offers a fresh take on the well-known story – something of an Audible signature – with David’s relationship with Steerforth (voiced by Theo James) reimagined as more than platonic.
Listening to somebody else read aloud to you is perhaps the ultimate indulgence, recapturing the magic of childhood bedtime stories. Not to mention that it also leaves your hands free for wrapping presents, clasping a hot chocolate or other practical activities. Even if you’re out and about rather than ensconced in blankets at home, there’s still something particularly joyous about listening to your favourite book while soaking up the festive atmosphere of sparkling lights and decorations.
There’s a time for true crime, TikTok scrolling and pace-maker playlists… and then there’s a time to embrace the urge to cocoon yourself in comfort and nostalgia. This is that time.
Listen to David Copperfield now, on Audible
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