Longstockings

The thoughtful old bird above is one Astrid Lindgren, born this day 1907, in Vimmerby, Sweden. She has climbed to the top of the heroine pole by virtue of her most famous work, Pippi Longstocking. I know it is a child's book, but hey all I am is one very big, very fat, child. Her first job was working at a newspaper where she was quickly made pregnant by the editor-in-chief. He did do the right thing by proposing marriage, but our girl said "thanks, but no thanks," and moved to Stockholm to find fame and fortune. Lucky for us she said no the editor who liked to dip his quill into the company ink, because the man she eventually married helped her produce the daughter, Karin, for whom Pippi Longstocking was written, and a legend was born. Today's latest Swedish literary sensation, Steig Larsson, who's "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" (the American title) trilogy is a world wide best seller, owes a great debt to Mrs. Lindgren. The main character in M. Larsson's book is, as he freely admitted, based upon his idea of a Pippi Longstocking all grown up, and facing the adult world as an adult. Mrs. Lindgren is rated the 25th most translated author of all time, not bad, not bad at all, especially if you write in a language as wacky as Swedish. Later in her life, a scandal surrounded her because it was revealed that her marginal tax rate had climbed to 102%. Now, I do not know much about marginal tax rates, nor to I want to, but I figure that a tax rate, marginal or not, of 102% seems a bit on the high side. The joys of socialism brought home for all to see. But for writing a children's book that we all can enjoy, and for providing a good, clean book that has endured throughout the years, Astrid Lindgren (November 14th, 1907- January 28th, 2002, at the age of 94), you are my heroine of the day.