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The Bar Tab Also Rises: A Lost Generation Comedy
A hilarious journey through 1920s Europe with the most self-absorbed expatriates you'll ever meet.
Jake Barnes thought chronicling the lives of wealthy Americans living abroad would be straightforward. He was wrong. Dead wrong.
Meet the Lost Generation's most dysfunctional Robert Cohn, an interpretive dance champion with an unhealthy obsession with a cartoon rat; Brett Ashley, a beautiful woman whose mere presence seems to financially ruin every man she meets; and an eccentric cast of characters who treat existential crises like dinner conversation and consider a two-hundred-dollar jar of gourmet mustard a worthy investment.
Set against the backdrop of 1920s Paris and Spain, this comedy follows Jake as he documents the increasingly absurd adventures of Americans who have too much money, too much time, and far too little perspective on their own lives. From heated debates about theme parks that may not exist to encounters with gothic café owners, vampire-obsessed artists, and professional trading game card players, every day brings a new level pretentiousness.
But when the group travels to Spain to witness the legendary "Running of the Supreme Roosters"-a tradition that makes bullfighting look like a peaceful afternoon-Jake realizes that some customs are better left undisturbed. Especially when they involve poultry with anger management issues, mechanical leg braces that shouldn't exist, and people who think interpretive dance can solve international conflicts.
A comedy that proves some generations aren't just lost-they're completely, hilariously clueless.
What readers are
"Finally, a book that understands how ridiculous privileged people can be while still being genuinely entertaining."
"I haven't laughed this hard at wealthy people's problems since... well, ever."
"Part literary parody, part absurdist comedy, all hilarious."
Perfect for readers who
Satirical comedy about the wealthy and self-absorbed1920s period settings with a comedic twistLiterary parodies that stand on their ownStories about Americans abroad making questionable life choicesAnyone who has ever wondered what happens when interpretive dance meets international relations
Jake Barnes thought chronicling the lives of wealthy Americans living abroad would be straightforward. He was wrong. Dead wrong.
Meet the Lost Generation's most dysfunctional Robert Cohn, an interpretive dance champion with an unhealthy obsession with a cartoon rat; Brett Ashley, a beautiful woman whose mere presence seems to financially ruin every man she meets; and an eccentric cast of characters who treat existential crises like dinner conversation and consider a two-hundred-dollar jar of gourmet mustard a worthy investment.
Set against the backdrop of 1920s Paris and Spain, this comedy follows Jake as he documents the increasingly absurd adventures of Americans who have too much money, too much time, and far too little perspective on their own lives. From heated debates about theme parks that may not exist to encounters with gothic café owners, vampire-obsessed artists, and professional trading game card players, every day brings a new level pretentiousness.
But when the group travels to Spain to witness the legendary "Running of the Supreme Roosters"-a tradition that makes bullfighting look like a peaceful afternoon-Jake realizes that some customs are better left undisturbed. Especially when they involve poultry with anger management issues, mechanical leg braces that shouldn't exist, and people who think interpretive dance can solve international conflicts.
A comedy that proves some generations aren't just lost-they're completely, hilariously clueless.
What readers are
"Finally, a book that understands how ridiculous privileged people can be while still being genuinely entertaining."
"I haven't laughed this hard at wealthy people's problems since... well, ever."
"Part literary parody, part absurdist comedy, all hilarious."
Perfect for readers who
Satirical comedy about the wealthy and self-absorbed1920s period settings with a comedic twistLiterary parodies that stand on their ownStories about Americans abroad making questionable life choicesAnyone who has ever wondered what happens when interpretive dance meets international relations
195 pages, Paperback
Published August 18, 2025
5 people are currently reading
2626 people want to read
About the author
Brian Burns
1 book11 followersBrian Burns lives in Southern California with 2 kids, 2 dogs, and 1 wife—which, after extensive research, he has determined to be the optimal ratio for maintaining both chaos and sanity. When he's not chronicling the misadventures of wealthy expatriates or wondering what would happen if office workers could time travel (because clearly the world needs more of both), he can be found reading everything from Hemingway to The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, proving that his literary tastes are as confused as his characters.
Brian also writes poetry that he genuinely believes is brilliant, though his family's enthusiastic silence suggests they may disagree. His dogs, however, are excellent listeners and have never once criticized his meter or rhyme schemes.
The Bar Tab Also Rises is his debut novel, and he promises his next book will involve even more ridiculous problems, because apparently that's his specialty now. He is currently working on an office comedy featuring time travel, because someone needs to answer the important question: "What if your terrible coworkers could follow you through history?"
When not writing, Brian enjoys contemplating whether velociraptors would make good office pets and why anyone thought giving him a keyboard was a good idea.
Brian also writes poetry that he genuinely believes is brilliant, though his family's enthusiastic silence suggests they may disagree. His dogs, however, are excellent listeners and have never once criticized his meter or rhyme schemes.
The Bar Tab Also Rises is his debut novel, and he promises his next book will involve even more ridiculous problems, because apparently that's his specialty now. He is currently working on an office comedy featuring time travel, because someone needs to answer the important question: "What if your terrible coworkers could follow you through history?"
When not writing, Brian enjoys contemplating whether velociraptors would make good office pets and why anyone thought giving him a keyboard was a good idea.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
December 21, 2025
Maybe it's not Dickens or Austen or James, but in this day, literary laughter is more rare than a dodo bird. For the wonderful ride through nonsensical hilarity, I thank the author! A quick read that is worth picking up again when you just need a lift. Absurdly funny, creative, and charming.
**I received an ARC of this book via Goodreads Giveaways.
**I received an ARC of this book via Goodreads Giveaways.
September 8, 2025
Witty and Hilarious. The Bar Tab Also Rises is laugh-out-loud funny, painfully relatable, and sneakily profound. Well written and keeps you entertained through out.
October 19, 2025
Thank you Brian Burns for this laugh out loud book. We have had a rough summer this year (very sick doggo) and I honestly didn't think I could laugh.
This book actually had me reading parts to my husband, W, and he was laughing out loud, too. Brian, you really put it all together and came up with a very unique story. The roosters were a happy addition. Probably my favorite part.
Thank you again. Please write something along the same lines. I really need it.
This book actually had me reading parts to my husband, W, and he was laughing out loud, too. Brian, you really put it all together and came up with a very unique story. The roosters were a happy addition. Probably my favorite part.
Thank you again. Please write something along the same lines. I really need it.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews