Reviews

Thor's Wedding Day: By Thialfi, the goat boy, as told to and translated by Bruce Coville by Bruce Coville, Matthew Cogswell

cmbohn's review against another edition

funny lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Very funny retelling of the Norse myth. I like Thialfi. He's a smart kid. 

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Content Warnings

Minor: Animal death and Alcohol

sonotnic's review against another edition

5.0

I picked this up at the library in audiobook format thinking it was something completely different. It's in a DVD-style case, and the cover illustration suggested to me that it was a silly little animated short. I was wrong. It's actually an excellent retelling of the Þrymskviða (Thrymskvida), a short but humorous poem from the Poetic Edda whose popularity and entertainment value has well stood the test of time. Because the original story of the giant Þrymr's (Thrym's) theft of Thor's hammer Mjölnir and Loki's clever plan for its recovery is so brief, Bruce Coville has added quite a bit of extra detail to turn it into a charming novel for young readers, pulling in characters and details of other Norse tales and inventing some of his own, but his agreeable additions have only enhanced the the comic tone of the original. Coville has also preserved the sexism of the original (A man dressed in woman's clothes? The shame! The horror! The outrage!), but I found that to be a great jumping off point for a conversation about the variety of attitudes towards women and men throughout human history and in other cultures.

The audiobook is produced by Full Cast Audio and does indeed feature a full cast of talented voice actors. I feel quite fortunate to have stumbled across this so accidentally.

Those more versed in Norse mythology have pointed out that it was originally Heimdallr's idea to dress Thor as the bride Freyja (although it was Loki who convinced Thor to do it).

eavery's review against another edition

It’s not funny or accurate. Any humor relies on the characters adhering to strict gender norms. Boo. 

jackirenee's review against another edition

5.0

I a great fan of Norse Mythology and have struggled to find retellings that are easy to consume so that I may share them with my son. This book was wonderful and I cannot wait to read it to him. The enhancements to the original Edda added dimension to the Gods, as well as to side characters. My only disappointment was that Freyja was portrayed much to frivolous for her true essence.

I only wish the author had re-told more of the Eddas. Great and fast read!

loquitacass's review against another edition

adventurous funny lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

sassychortle's review against another edition

4.0

I love Bruce Coville’s books and learning a bit about Norse mythology while laughing our heads off was a hoot!

kacey's review

funny lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated

4.0

 There is part of me that's disappointed that there's not more of these stories, more of the Norse myths being retold for children, and then there is the logical part of me that says this is the Norse myth most suitable for children, and it's probably best that there aren't more.

It's a quick, fun read and a pretty solid representation of the myth it's based on. 

effectordinary's review

funny lighthearted fast-paced

• Loveable characters? Yes

4.0