Who Are The Main Characters In 'How To Host A Viking Funeral'?

2026-01-02 21:27:27
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3 Answers

Mckenna
Mckenna
Contributor Doctor
I picked up 'How to Host a Viking Funeral' on a whim, and it turned out to be this wild, introspective journey disguised as a quirky self-help book. The main 'characters' aren’t traditional protagonists but rather facets of the author Jay Schiffman’s own life—his regrets, ambitions, and the symbolic 'funeral' he stages to let go of his past selves. It’s less about a cast of people and more about the idea of personal reinvention. The book frames his friends, family, and even strangers as participants in this bizarre, cathartic ritual. It’s like a memoir meets performance art, with Jay as both the conductor and the subject of his own metaphorical send-off.

The supporting 'characters' include his wife, who oscillates between baffled and supportive, and his circle of friends who gamely play along with his Viking-themed theatrics. There’s also this recurring theme of 'past Jays'—versions of himself he’s burying, which adds this layer of surreal humor. It’s not a narrative driven by dialogue or action, but by the sheer audacity of the premise. I walked away feeling like I’d witnessed someone’s midlife crisis turned into a public spectacle, but in the best way possible. The book’s charm lies in how it turns introspection into something communal and oddly festive.
2026-01-03 02:09:40
13
Xander
Xander
Book Scout Editor
If you’re expecting a novel with a clear protagonist and antagonist, 'How to Host a Viking Funeral' will throw you for a loop. It’s a memoir-meets-social-experiment where Jay Schiffman, the author, is the central figure—but he’s more of a catalyst than a hero. The real 'characters' are the abstract concepts he grapples with: failure, reinvention, and the weight of unrealized potential. He drags his reluctant friends into this elaborate ritual where they burn effigies of his past selves, which sounds bonkers but somehow works. The book’s energy comes from the tension between Jay’s earnestness and the absurdity of the situation.

His wife is a standout presence, balancing skepticism with affection, and there’s a rotating cast of acquaintances who react to his antics with everything from enthusiasm to polite horror. It’s less about individual personalities and more about how people respond to someone else’s existential theatrics. The lack of a traditional plot might frustrate some, but I loved how raw and unfiltered it felt. By the end, you’re not rooting for a character—you’re rooting for the idea that it’s never too late to set fire to your old self and start anew.
2026-01-07 10:21:53
8
Owen
Owen
Story Finder Office Worker
Jay Schiffman’s 'How to Host a Viking Funeral' blurs the line between memoir and performance art, so the 'main characters' are essentially his own neuroses. The book revolves around Jay orchestrating a literal funeral for his past failures, with friends and family as bemused attendees. His wife is the grounding force, rolling her eyes but still showing up, while his buddies alternate between cheering him on and questioning his sanity. It’s a character study where the protagonist is the author’s evolving sense of self, and the supporting cast is everyone who tolerates his eccentricity.

The humor comes from how seriously Jay takes his own metaphor—Viking funerals as a tool for personal growth. It’s weirdly inspiring, watching someone turn midlife angst into a shared experience. The book’s charm isn’t in traditional storytelling but in its willingness to be vulnerably ridiculous.
2026-01-08 07:53:53
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