Funny Story

Stories, with their unpredictable twists and turns, can serve as metaphors for life and love. Emily Henry, author of five bestselling romance novels, understands the power of a good love story. However, from the start, Henry sought to infuse her romance novels with depth, complexity, and emotional resonance. Through skillful writing, she layers rich character development with thought-provoking themes that elevate her stories beyond the typical romance genre. Henry says that falling in love and writing about love are similar in that they require a certain amount of vulnerability. Her stories capture the embarrassing, giddy freefall into romance and the messier parts of falling in love, like awkward meet-cutes or emotional outbursts. For her latest novel, Funny Story, Henry focuses on the power of personal stories, especially the humor of when life situations go sideways or wrong. In particular, she examines those situations that feel humiliating or “cringy” at the moment—for example, having to move in with your ex-boyfriend’s new girlfriend’s ex-boyfriend—but later become a “funny story” one tells at parties.

Another way Henry adds depth to her stories is through interweaving a love of books and storytelling into each of her stories. By incorporating books and reading into each of her novels, Henry invites readers deeper into her stories by adding a bookish motif. She alludes to classic or contemporary literature, and these intertextual nods create a sense of literary camaraderie with readers who appreciate a shared love for books. The book motif bridges her contemporary romances and the larger literary canon. Including descriptions of bookstores, libraries, and comfortable reading spots creates a unique mood as readers associate these surroundings with comfort, nostalgia, and intellectual interest. In Funny Story, much of the action takes place in the library, where Daphne works and where she feels safe, a feeling readers can relate to. Henry employs the book motif to establish the tone, creating a welcoming setting for her characters’ romantic adventures.

Henry believes that engaging in love stories necessitates emotional exploration. As books offer escapism and a chance to step into different realms, experience new emotions, and temporarily leave the world behind, the inclusion of literary motifs in her novels adds emotional depth. Henry’s characters often find solace in books during challenging times as they deal with grief, betrayal, and loneliness. Falling in love entails revealing old scars, and Henry’s characters must deal with their emotional wounds to connect truthfully. Stories offer a place where readers can see their stories mirrored on the pages of a book, making them feel less alone. Whether discussing favorite novels, recommending reads, or visiting bookstores, characters deepen relationships through a passion for reading—for example, in Book Lovers, Nora and Alex first bond over their shared love of books. Daphne, the protagonist in Funny Story, develops a relationship with one of her library patrons by giving her book recommendations. The book motif reinforces that shared interests can lead to meaningful connections and lasting love. Henry’s consistent use of the book motif in her stories pays homage to literature. It allows her readers to immerse themselves in her characters’ love stories and the magic of books (Creamer, Ella. “‘My Favourite Stories are Love Stories’: Emily Henry on Her Enemies-to-Lovers Relationship With Romance Fiction.” The Guardian, 27 Apr. 2024).