If I were to have a concrete toadstool in my backyard, it would look like Super Mario Bros. and have Smurfs living underneath. Photo: Andy Potter/Wiki
So I’m thinking David Sedaris threw in this story to mess with my ability to post a review about it to twitter. Holy title, Batman!
The title is in reference to art and those people who love to collect it. I, of course, am too poor to be one of those people but if I were, I think I may line up with Sedaris’ parents who know nothing about no one and well, nothing about art. But they enjoy it. That’s important.
Gist of the Story
Sedaris introduces his mother to a local art dealer. His mother, and consequently his father, becomes fast friends with the dealer and end up purchasing loads of art. If I knew more about art, I could tell you what they purchased. She has something semi-abstract from an artist named Creech (maybe it’s this guy from North Carolina…?) and a Balloon Man (print?). They have some cracked pottery and a house full of kids who enjoy putting fake genitals on them all.
The funny part, of course, is how his parents insist that these pieces are good, are valid, are going to worth a whole lot some day. Sedaris, as always, knows better. Hugh, lovely Hugh, always is the gentleman and goes along to get along with whatever Sedaris’ parents say.
Sedaris waxes abstract about the concrete toadstool in his family’s backyard being worth more than any of the so-called priceless art. He imagines that it will be worth rushing through the house of bad paintings to get at. Hence, the humongous title. Can you do a Tweet in two parts?
First Lines, Last Words
Before it was moved out near the fairground, the North Carolina Museum of Art was located in downtown Raleigh, and often, when we were young, my sister Gretchen and I would cut out of church and spend an hour looking at the paintings.
When my father dies, I envision a mad dash through the front door, past the Hibel and the Bradlingtons, past Cracked Man and Mr. Balloon Man, and into Indian territory, where we’ll push one another down the stairs, six connoisseurs, all with gray hair, charging toward a concrete toadstool.
Quotable
“Even if I were in prison, and this was the only thing on my wall, I wouldn’t waste my time with it.”
Book Rating
I’ll be rating When You Are Engulfed in Flames as a complete book. See my book ratings chart for more info.
My name is Britty and I'm chief bottle-washer at this site. I'm a book-lover, student and freelance writer when I'm not being a mom of three and wife of one.
