NPR's Book of the Day

In the new speculative novel 'Weepers,' mourning is outsourced to professionals

Jul 8, 2025
In a world where mourning is outsourced, a cowboy poet named Ed finds purpose as a professional weeper. The novel weaves themes of grief, technology, and authenticity in emotions. Mendelsund discusses how personal struggles with depression inspired his writing. The story also explores profound connections through a miraculous child who awakens feelings in others. As society becomes emotionally disconnected, the narrative challenges characters to confront their genuine feelings and the mysteries of life and death.
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INSIGHT

Professional Mourners Bring Real Emotions to Numb Society

Peter Mendelsund's novel Weepers imagines a near future where people hire professional mourners, called weepers, to express emotions at funerals because most people have become numb or anesthetized to feeling.

The story centers on Ed, a cowboy poet in the American Southwest who belongs to a union of weepers, and a mysterious kid with a miraculous gift that makes people truly feel again.

This concept reflects contemporary struggles with oversensitivity and societal emotional numbness, suggesting these professional mourners both do the feeling for society and keep others emotionally connected.

Mendelsund describes the book as "messianic," exploring grief, death, and the miraculous while inspired by his own experience with depression and being overly sensitive.

INSIGHT

Outsourcing Mourning in Future

  • The novel Weepers imagines a future where people worry about being replaced by smart machines.
  • A cowboy poet finds lasting work as a professional mourner, hired to cry at funerals.
ANECDOTE

Faking Sadness Became Real

  • Andrew Limbong shares how he faked crying and genuine tears unexpectedly followed.
  • This revealed to him his ability to summon sadness on demand, showing the power of emotional sensitivity.
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