'The Funeral Cryer': A Conversation with Wenyan Lu

We're delighted to welcome Wenyan Lu, author of The Funeral Cryer (Atlantic Books, 2023), to talk about her work and celebrate the paperback publication of her book.

Originally from Shanghai, China, Wenyan Lu is the winner of the SI Leeds Literary Prize 2020. Wenyan holds a Master of Studies in Creative Writing as well as a Postgraduate Certificate in Teaching Creative Writing from the University of Cambridge. Her unpublished historical novel The Martyr's Hymn was also longlisted for SI Leeds Literary Prize 2018 and Bridport First Novel Prize 2019. She lives with her family in Cambridge, and The Funeral Cryer is her debut novel, also published in the US by Harper Collins.

The Funeral Cryer long ago accepted the mundane realities of her life: avoided by fellow villagers because of the stigma attached to her job as a professional mourner and under-appreciated by The Husband, whose fecklessness has pushed the couple close to the brink of break-up. But just when things couldn’t be bleaker, The Funeral Cryer takes a leap of faith . . .

Dark, moving and wry, The Funeral Cryer is both an illuminating depiction of a ‘left behind’ society – and proof that it’s never too late to change your life.

- Atlantic Books

Wenyan was our featured author in July 2023. You can find out more about her on our Bookclub page, and also read the opening chapter of the novel.

The event is free, but please reserve your ticket here (with the 'Join the Guestlist' button).

There'll be an opportunity to buy copies of her book, thanks to Truman Books, but please note this will be cash only.

Coffee and tea will be provided from 2pm, and the talk will start at 2.15pm.