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"A novel about an MFA program for stand-up comics better be damned funny, and The Material is definitely that. It's also profound, deeply engrossing, dark, and generous, a great novel about humans making art right now." - Sam Lipsyte, author of No One Left to Come Looking for You"Brilliance is on display here." - Percival Everett, author of James and The Trees. Can comedy be taught? Someone, at some point, seemed to think so. The Chicago Stand-Up MFA program has enrolled young comedians for nearly a decade.. Its teachers and students all know how bits work - in theory, at least. They know that there's a line between sharp and cruel, that sad becomes funny at the right angle, that the worst is the best, the truth is the worst, and any moment of your life that isn't a punch line will either get you to a punch line or force you to be one.