9780063014619
Play Sample

Good Dogs Don’t Make It to the South Pole audiobook

  • By: Hans-Olav Thyvold
  • Narrator: Derek Perkins
  • Category: Fiction, Humorous
  • Length: 7 hours 34 minutes
  • Publisher: HarperAudio
  • Publish date: August 18, 2020
  • Language: English
  • (287 ratings)
(287 ratings)
33% Cheaper than Audible
Get for $0.00
  • $9.99 per book vs $14.95 at Audible
    Good for any title to download and keep
  • Listen at up to 4.5x speed
    Good for any title to download and keep
  • Fall asleep to your favorite books
    Set a sleep timer while you listen
  • Unlimited listening to our Classics.
    Listen to thousands of classics for no extra cost. Ever
Loading ...
Regular Price: 4.99 USD

Good Dogs Don’t Make It to the South Pole Audiobook Summary

Told through the eyes of a very grumpy yet lovable mutt, a funny and touching tale of aging, death, friendship, and life that proves sometimes a dog’s story is the most human of all.

Tassen has always been a one-man dog. When his human companion, Major Thorkildsen, dies, Tassen and Mrs. Thorkildsen are left alone. Tassen mourns Major by eating too many treats, and Mrs. T by drinking too much. But the two unexpectedly find common ground in researching Roald Amundsen’s expedition to the South Pole led by a pack of intrepid dogs.

But the quiet days Tassen and Mrs. T spend together at the library researching the explorer’s arctic adventure are disrupted by the arrival of her son and daughter in-law. Eager to move in to the Major’s spacious house, they plan to send Mrs. T to a nursing home. As he contemplates his own fate, Tassen shudders to think what might happen to him! Yet Tassen and Mrs. T aren’t about to give up. Inspired by Roald Amundsen and his dogs, this unlikely pair are ready to take on anything life throws at them.

Good Dogs Don’t Make It to the South Pole is a darkly comedic and whimsical portrayal of aging and death told through a dog’s friendship with an elderly woman.

Other Top Audiobooks

Good Dogs Don’t Make It to the South Pole Audiobook Narrator

Derek Perkins is the narrator of Good Dogs Don’t Make It to the South Pole audiobook that was written by Hans-Olav Thyvold

Hans-Olav Thyvold was born in 1959 and has published several nonfiction books on topics ranging from Roald Amundsen to Bruce Springsteen. He has also worked as a journalist, radio and tv host. Good Dogs Don’t Make it to the South Pole is his first work of fiction. He lives in Oslo, Norway.

About the Author(s) of Good Dogs Don’t Make It to the South Pole

Hans-Olav Thyvold is the author of Good Dogs Don’t Make It to the South Pole

Good Dogs Don’t Make It to the South Pole Full Details

Narrator Derek Perkins
Length 7 hours 34 minutes
Author Hans-Olav Thyvold
Category
Publisher HarperAudio
Release date August 18, 2020
ISBN 9780063014619

Subjects

The publisher of the Good Dogs Don’t Make It to the South Pole is HarperAudio. includes the following subjects: The BISAC Subject Code is Fiction, Humorous

Additional info

The publisher of the Good Dogs Don’t Make It to the South Pole is HarperAudio. The imprint is HarperAudio. It is supplied by HarperAudio. The ISBN-13 is 9780063014619.

Global Availability

This book is only available in the United States.

Goodreads Reviews

Fran (apologies...way behind)

June 15, 2020

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.

Carolyn

May 11, 2020

This lovely book is original in its concept, thought-provoking, and poignant. It is narrated by a unique talking dog named Tassen. Some insights and philosophies were funny and provides one with a new perception of what their pet may be thinking about besides food and walks. You may never view your dog in the same way again. Tassen brings humour to the story as he worries that he may be racist because he dislikes some breeds of dogs and detests a few other animal species. He is especially prejudiced against penguins as he has learned they practice depraved sexual behaviour. Besides Tassen’s hilarious thoughts, there are deep themes of life, old age, diminishing abilities, companionship, rejection, loneliness and death. Tassen was bought for half price by Major Thorkildsen, judged by his kennel to be unsuitable as a show dog and for breeding. He was considered a good dog and companion by the Major. Tassen takes great pride in being a good dog. After her husband’s death, the elderly Mrs. Thorkildsen is drinking to excess but always regards Tassen with kindness. There is an abundant supply of treats and short walks, mainly to buy liquor which Tassen calls Devil Water. A highlight of their days together is when she begins to bring Tassen to the public library where she reads to him about the 1911 race to the South Pole which was won by the Norwegian hero, Amundsen. The Englishman Scott was second to reach the destination, and his team perished. Amundsen succeeded because he brought along over 100 northern working dogs. What happened to these valiant dogs was horrifying. After these visits to the library, Mrs. Thorkildsen always left Tassen outside while she visited the bar next door, and one day an accident occurred. For some time, Mrs. Thorkildsen’s son (whom Tassen refers to as her Puppy) and his wife(Bitch) have been urging her to move into a Senior’s Residence or a Nursing Home. This is mainly on the insistence of Bitch who wants the house sooner rather than later. With Mrs. Thorkildsen’s declining health, they prevailed. Bitch will not permit her husband, Puppy, to allow Tassen entry to his former home. The story is open-ended. It could be sad or pleasant and left to the readers’ imagination. In my mind, the conclusion will be a happy one for Tassen, a good dog.

Ian

January 07, 2020

GOOD DOGS DON’T MAKE IT TO THE SOUTH POLE by HANS-OLAV THYVOLDI ordered this book because it purports to be about Roald Amundsen and Captain Robert F. Scott’s efforts to reach the South Pole and, yes, that does come into it but, the book is all about Tassen, a dog no less. If fact, it’s written by the dog which opens up all sorts of possibilities. I found it very insightful into all aspects of animal behaviour.The dog is owned by an elderly couple named Thorkildsen (and I wish it was about Smith or such, having to pronounce that name constantly was a distraction) and starts where the husband leaves off. The opening tale woven around the deathbed of Major Thorkildsen was a wonderful lead-in to the rest of the story.It’s around page 70 plus that it moves onto Roald and you have to get used to the fact that you’re learning from the dog’s point of view. You’ll constantly be sympathetic to the animal who thinks it is always trying to please. Well, until food comes into the scene and then you can forget everything else.As for the great expeditions well, there are many things I was totally unaware of, just a few of which I’ll bring to light here. Amundsen lied about his expedition – said he was going to the North Pole! Penguins aren’t the lovely loveable creatures you think they are; necrophilia is one notable trait I’m sure you’re unaware of for instance. Amundsen’s expedition went like clockwork because they ate the dogs that pulled their sleds during the journey, a perfectly normal and calculated thing to do apparently. Which brings you to the title of the book.Mrs. Thorkildsen’s slow decline is something older folk like myself can totally relate to. Her use of liquor (aka Dragon Water) to ease the pain is well documented. However, seen from the dog’s point of view, there’s a constant thread of wry humour that runs through the text. You’ll never look at your pet again without reflecting on this novel I can promise you. They have imagined conversations which constantly reflect the dog’s emotions.There are also profound pieces of political insight. “Precisely by mucking up and obscuring the whole relationship. The master designates a slave to lord it over his fellow slaves ever so slightly and that’s how the dirty work is done. It’s the oldest trick in the book.” Bring to mind anyone?Personally, I found it totally entertaining and one of the best reads I’ve had for ages. Informative on so many levels it also has the one ingredient I consider essential – readability.

Ken

March 22, 2020

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.

Denice

July 20, 2020

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.

Maggie

March 26, 2020

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.

Helen

November 30, 2020

This is an interesting book about dogs, aging, families, and the race to the South Pole, as narrated by a dog!

Tine

July 03, 2017

Lo høyt flere ganger. Lettlest og underholdende, anbefales!

Bob

August 28, 2020

What a wonderful experience this was! I knew after reading just three pages that this might be a five star book. And indeed it is: a delightfully gay, poignant, joyful, sometimes snarky, always enthralling adventure into the human condition. It's told from the unique perspective of a very believable, charming dog named Tassen; an outcast, the runt of the litter and lover of all things human... especially treats and companionship. If you've ever suspected that dogs may have a more informed and enlightened understanding of life, death, nature and the the cosmos than we do, you'll find this one of the most absorbing stories ever. And even if you've never shared those suspicions but have just once marveled at how a dog seems to take such great joy from the simplest of things, you'll love this book enormously. Author Hans-Olav Thyvold has done a magnificent job making Tassen - an absurdly gifted talking dog - come alive in such a playful, wondrous, joyfully believable and (eventually) serious manner. But I think much of the credit should be shared with Marie Ostby, the translator who rendered the original Norwegian text into English. I've read many books translated from their original languages into English. Yet never have I felt those other book translations were as natural, evocative and effortless as this one. So my final verdict on Tassen's adventure is: 10 stars; five for the author's wonderful story, and five for Marie Ostby's amazing and moving translation. This is a must read for any dog lover!

O

March 28, 2020

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.

Emily

January 10, 2020

A beautifully touching story about loneliness, friendship, grief, mortality and not only finding but maintaining our purpose in this world.Strongly recommended for fans of The Last Family in England by Matt Haig and all animal lovers.

Frequently asked questions

Listening to audiobooks not only easy, it is also very convenient. You can listen to audiobooks on almost every device. From your laptop to your smart phone or even a smart speaker like Apple HomePod or even Alexa. Here’s how you can get started listening to audiobooks.

  • 1. Download your favorite audiobook app such as Speechify.
  • 2. Sign up for an account.
  • 3. Browse the library for the best audiobooks and select the first one for free
  • 4. Download the audiobook file to your device
  • 5. Open the Speechify audiobook app and select the audiobook you want to listen to.
  • 6. Adjust the playback speed and other settings to your preference.
  • 7. Press play and enjoy!

While you can listen to the bestsellers on almost any device, and preferences may vary, generally smart phones are offer the most convenience factor. You could be working out, grocery shopping, or even watching your dog in the dog park on a Saturday morning.
However, most audiobook apps work across multiple devices so you can pick up that riveting new Stephen King book you started at the dog park, back on your laptop when you get back home.

Speechify is one of the best apps for audiobooks. The pricing structure is the most competitive in the market and the app is easy to use. It features the best sellers and award winning authors. Listen to your favorite books or discover new ones and listen to real voice actors read to you. Getting started is easy, the first book is free.

Research showcasing the brain health benefits of reading on a regular basis is wide-ranging and undeniable. However, research comparing the benefits of reading vs listening is much more sparse. According to professor of psychology and author Dr. Kristen Willeumier, though, there is good reason to believe that the reading experience provided by audiobooks offers many of the same brain benefits as reading a physical book.

Audiobooks are recordings of books that are read aloud by a professional voice actor. The recordings are typically available for purchase and download in digital formats such as MP3, WMA, or AAC. They can also be streamed from online services like Speechify, Audible, AppleBooks, or Spotify.
You simply download the app onto your smart phone, create your account, and in Speechify, you can choose your first book, from our vast library of best-sellers and classics, to read for free.

Audiobooks, like real books can add up over time. Here’s where you can listen to audiobooks for free. Speechify let’s you read your first best seller for free. Apart from that, we have a vast selection of free audiobooks that you can enjoy. Get the same rich experience no matter if the book was free or not.

It depends. Yes, there are free audiobooks and paid audiobooks. Speechify offers a blend of both!

It varies. The easiest way depends on a few things. The app and service you use, which device, and platform. Speechify is the easiest way to listen to audiobooks. Downloading the app is quick. It is not a large app and does not eat up space on your iPhone or Android device.
Listening to audiobooks on your smart phone, with Speechify, is the easiest way to listen to audiobooks.

footer-waves