"Weepers" by Peter Mendelsund is an absurdist work of fiction in which the majority of society can no longer feel emotions. Instead, people hire "emoters," specifically professional weepers, to express feelings on their behalf. You can even hire a weeper to sob at a funeral or for other occasions!

This novel prompts readers to reflect on society. Are people simply apathetic, sociopathic, or overly rational? Can they feel emotions even if they don’t display them? Is the commodification of emotions becoming the new way to keep up with the Joneses?

The story serves as a messianic tale about grief and redemption. While I enjoyed this novel, I found the pacing challenging at certain points. Although it may not resonate with everyone, I believe fans of works like Thomas Pynchon’s "The Crying of Lot 49," Ashley Hutson’s "One’s Company," Tony Tulathimutte’s "Rejection," or Italo Calvino’s "If on a Winter’s Night, a Traveler" might appreciate this funny and compelling fever dream of a novel, which offers a unique perspective on society.

Thank you to Farrar, Straus, and Giroux and NetGalley for the ARC. I will be thinking about this novel for some time.