When I'm Dead All This Will Be Yours: Joe Teller - A Portrait By His Kid

by Teller

On a visit to his elderly artist-parents, Teller found a dusty portfolio of cartoons that his father drew in 1939. Teller asked about the people in the drawings: the streetcar operators, waitresses, soldiers, bums. And Mam and Pad (Irene and Joe) began to unfold the hidden history of their world before their Bundle of Joy came along. Out came the Hobo Shoebox, full of letters Joe wrote while riding the rails during the Great Depression; their daring photos as art students, eloping to escape their feuding families; and the War Trunk. Readers stand beside Teller as Pad teaches him why using a ruler in painting is evil; join Mam as she interprets the designs hidden in Joe's "art pancakes"; and enter the world of a most peculiar, philosophical, funny, and loving family.

Genres: Biography, Humor, Memoir, Nonfiction, History

142 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 2000

About the author

Teller (born Raymond Joseph Teller) is an American illusionist, comedian and writer best known as the silent half of the comedy magic duo known as Penn & Teller, along with Penn Jillette. He legally changed his name to "Teller" and possesses one of the few United States passports issued in a single name.

Reviews

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a sweet memory. I checked this book out because I love Penn & Teller's act and I especially loved Teller's article in The Atlantic about his love of "Enoch Soames." He's an interesting person and a good writer, an excellent combination. Teller's parents really come through. At times, it was like getting to sit with my own depression-era grandparents and at other times the story was quite specific and unique to the Tellers. The inclusion of his parents' art adds quite a bit to the stories. In my several years of reading books exclusively from the library (so as not to add more clutter to our small house), this one, I bought my own copy.

[Ed Nemo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will read just about anything by Penn or Teller. I picked this book up at a show and had Penn and Teller sign it. It was not what I was expecting; however, it was extremely interesting and engaging. Based on drawings and stories from Teller's family; I found the concept of a gentleman hobo an interesting look at a life and time I had never seen. The book is a sweet love letter to Teller's family and well worth the read. I will admit that I would not have read it if it didn't have Teller's name on the cover, but I am glad I did.

[Cortney Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

A COMPLETELY delightful insight into life of the 1930s. I initially grabbed it off the library shelf due to my (semi-creepy) obsessiveness with Teller, my favorite magician, but instead found a very touching biography of a young man in an almost outgrown era. It was really amazing. Especially knowing that his father died a few years later and with the recent death of my older dad, I feel a kinship with Teller as the Kid and wanting to know more about our parents' past before it's too late.

[Robert · Rating 5 out of 5]

A loving look back into a mans life.

[Brogan Hastings · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adore Teller with all my heart, and I love him even more after reading this.

It actually reminds me a bit of my own family, particularly my grandparents.

[Peter A. Lio · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very sweet and beautifully written.

[Mark Colomb · Rating 5 out of 5]

A charming portrait the art life in America in the 20th century.

[Nancy Brady · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a combination of a memoir of his father and mother, especially his father, and his father's artwork (cartoons, paintings, and more). Published when Teller's father is 87, Teller (and his father) tell about his life through humor, artwork, and his writings (letters and postcards sent from his life on the road--he was a hobo during the 1930s). It's a quick read, but the cartoons are something to return to time and again.

[Kristin Henning · Rating 4 out of 5]

A simple and lovely tale of the discovery of Teller's father's stash of cartoons. While discovering and ultimately publishing the heretofore unpublished drawings, Teller reveals the sweet love between his parents, their artistic essence, and the mischievous parenting style that fans will recognize in Teller's work on stage with Penn.

[Tim · Rating 1 out of 5]

Yes, of Penn and. Slight little thing about his unusual artist parents (who are Philadelphians, and in fact still live somewhere near the Inquirer building). Sounds like he had fun growing up, but why he felt we needed to hear it is beyond me.

[laurel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute. Spattered with lots of little jokes. I find it terribly impressive that in their late 80s and early 90s, they were still walking around Philly, making big dinners, painting, etc. Bodes well for Teller's lifespan.

[Charles · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book really portrays the generational differences between early 1900's and now. I cannot imagine anyone doing now the amazing things that Teller's father did back then.

[Allison · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun read.

[Candice Mccarther · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very sweet and touching story. I love the unique writing style of Teller and the relationship he has with his parents.

[Graham Walton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Tellers Mam and Pad were lovely people.