This is a sweet book about a human and a dog finding comfort in each other. It's also a very quirky book, so it might not be for everyone, but I enjoyed it.

One of the odder books I have read. I did not dislike it, but neither will I be recommending it to all my friends.

Translated from the Norwegian, the story is narrated by the dog, Tassen. Tassen was the reject of the litter all because of a white spot on his nose when his nose should have been all black. The Major brings him home and they form a team. Unfortunately, the Major dies (from old age and illness) and Tassen and Mrs. Thorkildsen must adapt to each other. With Tassen as the narrator, the story follows the relationship of a widow finding her way in the world, as they develop a new relationship with each other. The widow was a former librarian and takes to reading books to Tassen, focusing on the exploration of the South Pole. She and Tassen talk to each other and develop quite an intellectual relationship. The story is compassionate, and a good treatise on the art of aging, and what happens to people and dogs as they age.

I’m judging a 2020 fiction contest. It’d be generous to call what I’m doing upon my first cursory glance—reading. I also don’t take this task lightly. As a fellow writer and lover of words and books, I took this position—in hopes of being a good literary citizen. My heart aches for all the writers who have a debut at this time. What I can share now is the thing that held my attention and got this book from the perspective pile into the read further pile.

I’m always intrigued by novels narrated by animals’ point of view. A comforting read in the practice of empathy when the current climate seems so cold and distant.

In this book, Tassen is a dog who is telling the tale from his viewpoint. After seeing his beloved owner, Major Thorkildsen, pass away he then turns to Mrs. Thorkildsen for comfort, companionship and his every day needs. After her husbands death Mrs Thorkildsen tends to drink too much but that is her way of coping with being alone. Going to the library provides them with books about Roald Akmundsen and his trip to try to be the first person to ever reach the South Pole. I really had a hard time reading this book and had to make myself finish it. I don't usually give up on books because I respect the fact that the author spends so much time writing and editing them to get them out to us. The book really gets bogged down in places and I easily lost interest in it very quickly. There are some comedic parts in it when you hear Tassen's explanations for things and those I did enjoy. Overall, just not my type of book to read. I received an e-book copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.

A Norwegian tale told by a dog named Thassen. Thassen narrates about incidents in 'dog vernacular', like Puppy [Mrs. T's son], bitch [her daughter-in-law], hunting [grocery store]. Thassen is able to talk and understand Mrs. Thorkildsen and she him. Her husband has just died. She is learning to adjust along with Thassen to being alone. By chance they begin a journey of discovery of Amundsen's polar expedition using library books. Amundsen used Greenland dogs to reach the South Pole first. What happened to these 100 dogs is of interest to Thassen. Mrs. T explains this Thassen through multiple 'discussions'. There is humor and there is sadness in this story.

A wonderfully told book of a life lived through the eyes of a faithful dog. We've all wondered what our dogs were thinking at one point or another. Hans-Olav Thyvold gives a voice to Tassen, a dog chosen as the last friend to the Major and then his wife. The story is an original. A life lived in the comfort of a family that transitions after the Major dies. The tale of the journey of a famous dog sled team to the south pole runs through the main tale. Both stories are sure to please dog lovers of all kinds. This book gives you a warm, emotional feeling as you read it and again every time you think of it. It really deserves much more than 5 stars.

4.5 Stars

This story begins as the end of Major Thorkildsen’s life is becoming more apparent, as though death is hovering above them, awaiting the moment. Tassen, the Major’s faithful companion notes the scent in the air as Mrs. Thorkildsen lifts Tassen onto the Major’s bed, where he notes the smell of the pain that has been inside the Major for a while now. As Tassen lays beside him, he finds himself reminiscing on a rhyme the Major taught him when he was still a young pup, eventually realizing after several tests that it was, in fact, true.

The reminiscing goes back to the day when the Major first met Tassen, and brings him home to live with him, Tassen’s days of puppyhood, but doesn’t dwell in those days. It gives us a small idea of how close he was with the Major until the end. The Major’s end, that is. And after that, for a while, it is just Tassen and Mrs. T., with periodic, rather unwelcome visits by the Thorkildsen offspring, whom Tassen refers to as “Puppy” and “Bitch,” somewhat appropriately, since they seem to be of the belief that they should now be in charge of Mrs. T’s life.

There is humour in this to add some balance, although it is often a dark humour. I would not consider it a light, happy story – especially as Mrs. T., a retired librarian, shares the story of the book she is reading with Tassen, about Roald Amundsen’s 1911 journey to the South Pole, the dogs that we involved in that exploration, and their story. For each of the dogs accounted for on that exploration, she makes a folded paper dog, and then another and more…until all of the dogs are accounted for – just to show Tassen how many dogs there were on this expedition, since his math skills are somewhat limited.

As time passes, their relationship grows, her fondness for him as a companion, someone she can talk to, share things with, grows. His trust in her grows, as well as his love of her stories and her cinnamon rolls. What he is less fond of is her keenness for dragon water, but he is still protective of her, and doesn’t appreciate it when others take advantage or are less than kind to her. He becomes her closest friend, protector and partner, and in exchange she confides and shares more of herself in the process. As time passes, they spend their days watching Dr. Pill on the TV, which she loves to comment on, which works – but, not always – to keep her from overindulging in her dragon water.

This story is shared from Tassen’s perspective, which adds to the sense of watching, waiting, wondering how this story will eventually end, but in the meantime, enjoying being slowly immersed in their quietly wonderful world and the love and trust that develop. To be alone is one thing, to be alone with a dog, or more, is to not really be alone, at all. To love, to share love is really all that matters, it is what gives meaning to our lives.


Pub Date: 18 Aug 2020

Many thanks for the ARC provided by HarperCollins Publishers / HarperVia via NetGalley

#GoodDogsDontMakeIttotheSouthPole #NetGalley

Tassen was "...the one left over when the rest of the litter is sold. An outcast...the wrong color...sold at half-price to the Major...I'm a one-man dog...I am and will always be the Major's dog...". Major Thorkildsen, a World War II veteran, his wife, and Tassen often hunted together in the Norwegian woods. The cellar was fully supplied with food. Tassen became an overgrown lap dog raised with tenderness, love and plenty of dog treats. Now that the Major has died, "What happens to Mrs. Thorkildsen and me?...I'm a widower dog...". Tassen, as narrator, tells his story.

"The big change comes in small steps". Mrs. Thorkildsen starts watching Dr. Phil on TV. "Neither Dr. Phil nor his patients speak a language known to me... I only speak Norwegian...Mrs. Thorkildsen is kind enough to always translate what the program is about that day". "The Puppy", Mrs. Thorkildsen's son visits. He attempts to do the bidding of "The Bitch", his wife. No way will Mrs. Thorkildsen move out of her digs so "The Puppy","The Bitch" and "Young Puppy" can move in!

Mrs. Thorkildsen is lonely. She drinks. No longer driving a car, she uses a wheelie bag, pulling it behind her, filled with alcoholic beverages purchased at the market. This is not the kind of walk Tassen had in mind. One special day, they go to the Fram Museum. Tassen climbs into the polar ship that sailed from Norway to Antarctica as Norwegian Explorer Roald Amundsen raced to reach the South Pole before Britian's Captain Robert Scott. Tassen sees two Greenland dogs displayed. "It wasn't until the sight of the taxidermied dogs that the gravity of the situation clearly appeared to me...What could [they] have done wrong? Chewed up one slipper too many?"

Mrs. Thorkildsen was a retired librarian. As a child, "with a book under one arm and a short stool under the other...she asked every single person she met on the street: Will you read to me?" Although technically speaking, Tassen did not read or count (other than Me, Me & You, Pack), she was determined to discuss and bring to life Amundsen's journey to the South Pole, highlighting his strength and determination, as well as explaining the plight and ordeal of the Greenland dogs. Mrs. Thorkildsen and Tassen, constant companions, thoroughly engaged in discussions about the polar expedition. Oh, what fascinating dialogue!

"Good Dogs Don't Make It to the South Pole:A Novel" by Hans-Olav Thyvold is the story of a special canine-human friendship that addresses aging. Tassen's philosophical and humorous touch makes for a delightful read as he tries to understand the behavior of us humans!

Thank you HarperCollins Publishers/HarperVia and Net Galley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Good Dogs Don't Make It to the South Pole is narrated by a philosophical and often grumpy Norwegian dog named Tassen. Upon the death of his owner, the Major, Tassen is forced to remake a life with the Major's widow, Mrs. Thorkildsen, trading in walks in the woods for trips to the liquor store. A trip to the library--Mrs. Thorkildsen remains an avid reader--introduces the pair to the story of Roald Amundsen and his dog-led (and dog-eating) polar expedition. Overall, it is a story less about plot than it is about a dog's often comedic perspective on life and aging. While the conceit of a "talking" philosophical dog occasionally gets overworn, Tassen nevertheless frequently delivers sharp, insightful truths about the many facets of being alive, from grief to joy to companionship. Good Dogs Don't Make It to the South Pole will undoubtedly become a prime book club selection and a favorite of anyone who loves dogs or has experienced loss.

Who’s a GOOD boy? Tassen is! Delightful story told from a dog’s POV. Mrs. Thorkildsen has long conversations with Tassen after the death of her husband. She explains the story of Roald Amundsen, the first person to reach the South Pole. She cuts out many, many paper dogs and props them up around the fireplace to help Tassen understand how many dogs were on that run, and what happened to them while on the ice. The two of them have many long and varied conversations with each other, at home or while out doing errands. After a near deathly tumble, Mrs. Thorkildsen is placed in a home and Tassen goes to the pound. Her son rescues him, and so the story continues. This book, the imagery, especially the paper dogs, will stick with me for a long time. One of the most charming books I’ve read in a long while. Highly recommend!
Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

What a treat! Tassen is right up there with S.T. from Hollow Kingdom as a narrator with a sympathetic but ultimately nonhuman voice. Tassen is cultured compared to S.T., but both take action to mitigate their humans'unwise choices with mixed results. Please give yourself a shot of cheer with these fully developed characters. And while we're talking about it, don't miss Three Bales Full - sheep detectives.

Hans-Olav Thyvold has taken our favorite mutt and made him into a lovable dog named Tassen. Tassen talks to Mrs. Thorkildsen after her husband Major Thorkildsen died. What they talked about the most was about dogs and the first person to reach the South Pole, Roald Amundsen. A Norwegian before the British reached it. What was interesting was that Amundsen was in Greenland for two years before he left for the South Pole working with the Greenland dogs to master working with them. During the tales that Mrs. Thorkildsen told Tassen, she would go shipping, go to the library, then stop in at the local pub. She knew that Tassen couldn't count so she cut out dogs in paper and would talk about what they would do to the dogs aboard ship or out on the ice. Mrs. Thorkildsen had a son Tassen called puppy and he had a wife which Tassen called the bitch. The bitch ruled and the puppy did her bidding, which was to get Mrs. Thorkildsen to move into a old persons home, so they could have her home for themselves. It happens at the pub, Mrs. Thorkildsen falls and the end is near. Puppy finds Tassen in a dog pound and takes the mantle over as the boss of Tassen. There is plenty of illustrations of what happens during the time Tassen makes his moves. Read it for yourself to see how it proceeds in telling Hans-Olav's story.