And Father Said Let There Be Humor

Ian Frazier may have hit upon the perfect comedic conceit in his parodic postulation of Father, the god, lawgiver. Who doesn't laugh at the idea that a dad has ever really been in charge?

Thus, sayeth the judges of the 2009 Thurber Prize, let there be a nomination and widespread acclaim for Frazier's Laws Concerning Food and Drink; Household Principals; Lamentations of the Father. And let others enjoy it as a book, with other essays as well.