Customer Reviews

Thor's Wedding Day: By Thialfi, the goat boy, as told to and translated by Bruce Coville (Magic Carpet Books)

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

A fun romp into the world of Norse Mythology. I really enjoyed the characters of Gat & Grinder. It's not everyday that you can get insulted by goats. I do think that Thor was a bit too dumb and that Freyja was a bit too vain. That is however, a matter of personal interpretation and opinion of the original myths.
I only found two "factual" areas that were inaccurate. The first was when our merry cartload of cross-dressers road across the Rainbow Bridge, (Thor can't cross the Rainbow Bridge, he's too heavy). The second was, who it was that suggested Thor dress in bridal attire. While I agree with the author that it only seems logical to have Loki make the suggestion, is was in "fact" Heimdal who made the suggestion. If we're going to teach the younger generations the Nose Legends, we might as well get them correct as we can.
I loved the cover art, it is reminiscent of Fineous Fingers. My copy does not have any inside illustrations. I hope the author and Illistrater have corrected this in subsequent publications, (I think I may have an advance copy). All in all a good read for its intended age group.

In Frith,
Spence

"Sic gorgiamus allos subjectatos nunc"
M. Addams

Grumpy goats, grumpy gods, and grumpy giants create a fast-paced, hilarious book from fantasy writer Bruce Coville in his delightful new release, THOR'S WEDDING DAY.

Thor, the god of thunder and lightning, has lost his magical hammer, or rather, it was stolen by a shape shifting dwarf working for the greedy giant Thrym. Thor's goat boy, Thialfi, accidentally allowed the dwarf into Thor's house. Thor's hammer is the most powerful weapon the gods have against the fierce giants, enemies of the gods. Even though Thialfi doesn't tell anyone it's his fault that the hammer is missing, he gets enrolled in the plan to bring it home.

Mischief maker Loki is sent to bargain with the giant. Thrym will return Thor's hammer if he can marry the beautiful goddess with the hefty temper, Freya.

Freya refuses with great gusto and breaking of dishes. The alternate plan is to convince the giants that Freya has come to the wedding when it's really a god disguised as Freya. When the hammer is returned at the wedding, the plot is to bring an end to the thieving giants. But the giants have an imposter of their own.

Dressing a god, his goat boy, and Loki as women proves to be a very funny undertaking as the goddesses can't decide what to use for false bosoms --- apples or two sleeping rabbits?

Thialfi finds a dress difficult to move around in as he works behind the scenes to aid his master's recovery of the hammer. A mysterious pair tells him how to find the hammer in return for his secrecy. He can't tell anyone who helped him, which adds another layer to Thialfi's already guilty conscience.

Bruce Coville's passion for Norse mythology translates well into a fun chapter book for young and old.

--- Reviewed by Joy Held

This book grabbed my attention as soon as I saw the cover. The cover art is hilarous, in fact it really is my favorite thing about the book. The rest of the illustrations inside are black and white, look possibly to be charcoal sketchs so they don't have the same sharpness that the cover has.

As for the text, some might prefer to read the explanitory notes that are in the back beore hand, if they aren't familiar with the world of Norse mythology. Though it isn't necessary. Everything is explained pretty well. It is perhaps some of this need for explaination that slows down the narrative slightly, I didn't find the book as humourous as I had hoped I would. I did most certainly giggle aloud on the discussion over what to make Thor's bossoms' out of.

Thialfi as a narrator works well and is woven into the myth very seamlessly, an impressive feat and a credit to Coville's familiarity and admiration for the original stories. All in all I found it very engaging and well thought out, but not the strong example of humour I felt it should have been.

For similar books I reccomend Kate McMullan's Myth-o-Mania series.

Hopefully Coville will find ways to make more Norse myths accessible to the younger audience, and the world at large.

this book is good because in the book they put gods in the book. I was wondering why is loki a bird now than before. thialfi is taking alot because he is alwas gossiping about the gods and their doings.
BY JOHN MAC HOLLAND PA

this book is good because in the book they put gods in the book. I was wondering why is loki a bird now than before. thialfi is taking alot because he is alwas gossiping about the gods and their doings.

Bruce Corville is known for his silly wacky tales. In this one, Thor finds his hammer is in the Land of the Giants and plots to get it back. The Goddess of Love is expected to marry the King of the Giants but it's a "no go" situation? Is Thor capable of posing as the beloved goddess just to get his hammer back? Well... maybe with the help of a young friend who also dislikes wearing a stupid dress.

I purchased this book as a fun anniversary gift for my husband. He has read the book. As a practicing Asatruer, he enjoyed it. He noted a couple of inconsistensies in the story. However, as a children's book, it is a great book.