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Children of Tax and Tea: Norse History for Bostonians Illustrated
Not yet published
Expected 9 Oct 26292 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication October 9, 2026
About the author
Rowdy Geirsson
4 books45 followersRowdy Geirsson is the author of The Scandinavian Aggressors and the translator of The Impudent Edda. His writing has appeared in Scandinavian Review and the Sons of Norway's Viking Magazine. He's also a regular contributor to McSweeney's Internet Tendency and a slew of other humor websites.
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Displaying 1 - 1 of 1 review
September 30, 2026
This Rowdy Geirsson guy knows his shit when it comes to Norse myths and sagas. Knows it so well, he's been adapting them for Bostonian language and culture for over a decade. So whether he's writing about Viking Age Economic Stimulant Packages, or Sleeping It Off at the Althing, or just Going Berserk, he's a solid source. Even for some new myths, as described in his previous book, The Impudent Edda.
He's also funny as hell, kind of a "Provocative Poet" type, like the guy in this illustration from Children of Tax and Tea:
only he's not about to get killed. Or a beatnik. Okay, maybe I just wanted to show that illustration.
The illustrations are fantastic. Matt Smith's style meshes perfectly with the stories, and the Barbarian Lord author/illustrator sets the tone for every chapter.
This is Norse storytelling, all half hilarious and half badass, illustrated. Written in the language of Bostonia, but not just for Bostonians. Unlike listening to someone speak in actual Bostonian, these stories are pretty easy to follow. And if you don't immediately know what the Zakim is, that's okay-there are footnotes for the more esoteric references.
While the humor is the point of both the stories and illustrations, the book still contains the practical wisdom one might expect from a real Norse saga. Writing in A Warmup Performance in Portland, Geirsson mentions the original Portland, goes into a lengthy description of Maine's Portland (and its beer), and touches on third Portland way out on the West coast of the USA. While Geirsson has nothing to say of this third Portland's beer, he does write, "That place seems kind of fucking iffy to me." Too true, too true.
Looking forward to more from both the author and the illustrator!
He's also funny as hell, kind of a "Provocative Poet" type, like the guy in this illustration from Children of Tax and Tea:
only he's not about to get killed. Or a beatnik. Okay, maybe I just wanted to show that illustration.
The illustrations are fantastic. Matt Smith's style meshes perfectly with the stories, and the Barbarian Lord author/illustrator sets the tone for every chapter.
This is Norse storytelling, all half hilarious and half badass, illustrated. Written in the language of Bostonia, but not just for Bostonians. Unlike listening to someone speak in actual Bostonian, these stories are pretty easy to follow. And if you don't immediately know what the Zakim is, that's okay-there are footnotes for the more esoteric references.
While the humor is the point of both the stories and illustrations, the book still contains the practical wisdom one might expect from a real Norse saga. Writing in A Warmup Performance in Portland, Geirsson mentions the original Portland, goes into a lengthy description of Maine's Portland (and its beer), and touches on third Portland way out on the West coast of the USA. While Geirsson has nothing to say of this third Portland's beer, he does write, "That place seems kind of fucking iffy to me." Too true, too true.
Looking forward to more from both the author and the illustrator!
Displaying 1 - 1 of 1 review