On Ed Park’s Personal Days, one of the best comic novels of all time.
This is the first installment of an ongoing series recommending books from what I’ll call the Funny Novel Canon. Think of it as a working syllabus for literary humorists.
The article introduces a series titled Funny Novel Canon, which serves as a curated list of notable humorous novels. This series aims to act as a syllabus for readers interested in literary humor, suggesting works that exemplify the genre. A syllabus in this context refers to a structured list of recommended readings, often used in educational settings to guide learning. The series will feature novels that the author considers part of a broader tradition of funny literature. The term funny novel here refers to novels that prioritize humor as a central element of their storytelling, rather than just incidental jokes.
The series intends to highlight books that the author believes belong to an informal canon of humorous literature. A canon in literature typically refers to a collection of works considered to be the most important or representative of a particular genre or period. In this case, the Funny Novel Canon is not an official or exhaustive list but rather a personal and evolving selection. The author invites readers to suggest additional titles they believe should be included, emphasizing the collaborative and participatory nature of the project. The goal is to create a resource for readers who enjoy or study humorous fiction.
The first book highlighted in the series is *Personal Days* by Ed Park. The article describes it as one of the best comic novels of all time, using the term *comic novel* to denote a work that uses humor as a primary tool for storytelling, character development, or social commentary. The phrase *one of the best* indicates that the author considers the novel to be of exceptionally high quality within its genre. The article does not provide specific details about the plot, themes, or style of *Personal Days*, but it positions the novel as a significant entry in the *Funny Novel Canon*.
