Get Yer Ya Ya's Out and Next of Kin Summary and Analysis

Every summer the Sedaris family visits family, including Ya Ya, Mr. Sedaris' widowed mother, David's grandmother. Ya Ya is a Greek immigrant who cherishes her heritage and never recovers from the fact that her only son marries outside the culture. Mrs. Sedaris hates Ya Ya.

Mr. Sedaris grows up at Ya Ya's feet as she and her husband operate a dump of a magazine and candy store. David's description of Ya Ya's cooking is vivid and hilarious, referring to the use of a black kettle that resembles a cauldron and foods tasting like they were prepared a week prior and maintaining the taste of a musty trunk.

Ya Ya is only concerned with the strength of the children, as if they will return to the...