Photo of bateria by Muntasir du/Wiki
“It’s Catching” is the first essay in David Sedaris’ book When You Are Engulfed in Flames. Of course, his essays read more like short pieces of fiction and the reader has to suppose what really happened. Not that it matters. Not that it all isn’t funny.
After reading Me Talk Pretty One Day, it was comforting to slip back into Sedaris’ kooky world. I remember him – I remember these people. This first essay mentions Sedaris’ life partner/lover/companion/husband/spouse Hugh. Remember Hugh from his childhood in Africa? Hugh is back and David is once again assuming interesting details of Hugh’s life into his own. For example, it’s not Hugh that had a Guinea worm lay eggs in his thigh. The reader feels Sedaris experiencing the pain of watching a worm poke through his skin himself.
More fun is heaped on the pile (pile of what, do not ask), when we find out Hugh’s mother, Maw Hamrick, has also been infected with the Guinea worm at one point. Of course, Sedaris’ friends hold that against Maw Hamrick (you can’t make these names up, folks!) and hold her at arm’s length. Unclean?
Fast-forward to Maw Hamrick being a good houseguest and cleaning, cleaning, cleaning for Sedaris. Lazy Sedaris takes full advantage of her generosity, of course. More laughter ensues. Great start off to this book. Really reels one in…then makes one want to wash one’s hands (and thighs).
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.
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August 6th, 2010 on 6:29 pm
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