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The Funeral Cryer by Wenyan Lu

The Funeral Cryer

A Novel

by Wenyan Lu

  • Critics' Consensus (15):
  • Readers' Rating (62):
  • Published:
  • Apr 2024, 336 pages
  • Rate this book

About this book

Reviews

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There are currently 31 reader reviews for The Funeral Cryer
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Patricia_G1

This book unfortunately falls flat
The Funeral Cryer is about a subject that I had never heard of—professional funeral mourners. According to Wikipedia, this is an occupation for mostly women that has been around in China since 756. As described in this book, the unnamed and main character is paid to dress in specific clothing, come to funerals of people she doesn't know and perform as a mourner.

I initially anticipated that this would be a historical novel, but the story takes place in a small town in rural China sometime recently (the characters have cell phones, although reception is sketchy). The narrator is a middle-aged woman, stuck in an unhappy marriage with an unemployed husband and a daughter who fled the village and rarely visits. All the characters are unnamed in the book, and are referred to as the butcher, the daughter, the husband, etc. Nothing much happens and no problems are resolved.

Unfortunately, there is no dimensionality in any of the characters. They all seemed flat, like paper cutouts that drift through life, asking questions without expecting or working toward any answers. The narrator often maintains a monologue that is nothing but questions, which is difficult to read. Halfway through the book I realized that I really didn't care what happened to any of characters (this is the point where I would normally give up on a book, but I kept reading to finish for this review). By the end, I had a question of my own: what was the point of this book? I did not come up with an answer.

I cannot in good faith recommend this book.
Amy_A

Very disappointing!
I gave this book 1 star, as I am amazed the author was able to get this published. The other star is because I was able to finish the book.

The writing is simplistic and stilted. I found it to be a very slow read but I kept thinking the story was going to become more meaningful. It didn’t.

It was difficult to develop any feeling for the characters as they were poorly developed and the story line just was not that interesting to me.
Sonya_M

Life in Modern Rural China
A funeral cryer is an old-world cultural tradition in China. The cryer sings and stirs up emotional responses at funerals. While a disappearing tradition in modern China, the main character in this story continues this practice in her small village. Given limited employment options, and while shunned by some for the practice, it is the main source of income for her family. The descriptions of village life, the patriarchal village and family life, even when most employment/income is provided by the women in the household, was fascinating to a point. The story highlighted the lack of employment opportunities and limited resources for those without a university education or for those not living in the larger cities. The writing style was abrupt, short sentences, representing a colloquial style of speaking. The story of a funeral cryer, her do nothing but play mah-jongg husband, and his affairs, became repetitive after a while. Once I got past descriptions of life in this small town, I lost interest in the story. And the writing style did not present a fluid reading experience.
Elizabeth V. (Bellbrook, OH)

If the Author Does Not Care, Why Should I?
I'm not sure what the author intended with this book that did not name any of the main characters other than their role in the story (Daughter, Husband, Barber, etc.) but keeping the characters at such a remove was a fail for me. I found it impossible to care about characters that the author did not bother to name or imbue with personality. I did manage to finish the book but the ending felt like the author was just as tired of the story as I was. The book ended abruptly without any sort of growth or resolution for the Funeral Cryer. Overall, a very dissatisfying read.
Becky_S

Yawn
I was eager to read this book and find out more about the profession of being a funeral cryer in the Asian culture, but this book was disappointing. I found the writing style to be very dry and the characters one dimensional and nothing that I found I could relate to. The “plot twist” at the end came out of nowhere and didn’t make any sense to me and then the story just ended. This one just wasn’t for me!
Power Reviewer
Rebecca_Gaulton

Disappointing
I was really looking forward to reading this book. I know nothing about the profession of Funeral Cryer and I was hoping to learn more. I was so disappointed. The entire book is the funeral cryer (the reader never learns her name) musing and whining about her job, her life, her horrid husband and his possible affair and her fantasies about another man over and over. The dialogue is stiff and unnatural and the writing is jarring. I enjoyed reading about when she would perform at a funeral but those passages were few and far between. I wanted to root for the funeral cryer because her life seemed so dismal but I couldn’t find the energy. I really would not recommend this book to anyone.
Power Reviewer
Cathryn_Conroy

So Disappointing! A Thin Plot, One-Dimensional Characters, and a Stilted, Jarring Writing Style
With stilted, almost awkward writing, a thin plot, and one-dimensional characters, this dark and sorrowful book by Wenyan Lu is a disappointment because it has the potential to be so much more.

Taking place in modern-day China but in a remote, rural village that hangs on to the old customs, this is the story of a middle-aged woman who is never named. None of the characters is named except for a few who are given nicknames. The woman is married to a man she refers to as "the husband," and they have one grown daughter, who lives in Shanghai. It is a loveless marriage, bordering on abusive. The husband is unemployed. She works as a funeral cryer. It is her job to lead the mourners in crying. Meanwhile, she suspects her husband, who spends his time playing mahjong, of having an affair with a woman named Hotpot, while she herself is making eyes at the local barber. Because of her job as a funeral cryer, she is thought to bring bad luck and to smell of the dead. She experiences discrimination from others' superstitions about death—so much so that she is refused admittance to her father's nursing home and is ostracized by those in the village.

The underlying theme of the book is death and dying—our fears, anxieties, and trepidations. Being surrounded by death weighs on the woman, and eventually she decides to live a better life. Even though the novel was leading up to this all along, her change of heart is quite sudden, so it feels forced and implausible.

The writing style is characterized by short, jarring sentences and abrupt paragraph changes, while the dialogue is stilted and boring and often doesn't serve to move the story forward, focusing on the mundane aspects of life.

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Debugging Information
ColdFusion Server Developer 2021,0,13,330286
Template /reader_reviews/index.cfm
Time Stamp 01-Jun-26 03:53 PM
Locale en
User Agent Mozilla/5.0 AppleWebKit/537.36 (KHTML, like Gecko; compatible; ClaudeBot/1.0; +claudebot@anthropic.com)
Remote IP 127.0.0.1
Host Name 127.0.0.1


Execution Time

Total Time Avg Time Count Template
1780329191300 ms 1.7803291913E+012 ms 1 /root/website/app_server.cfm
665 ms 665 ms 1 /root/website/reader_reviews/index.cfm
181 ms 181 ms 1 /root/website/queries/qry_get_discussion_by_id.cfm
123 ms 123 ms 1 /root/website/app_layout.cfm
122 ms 122 ms 1 /root/website/app_globals.cfm
87 ms 87 ms 1 /root/website/queries/qry_get_reader_reviews_by_preview_number.cfm
74 ms 74 ms 1 /root/website/site/blocks/layout/dsp_right_column.cfm
60 ms 60 ms 1 /root/website/queries/qry_get_briefs_reader_rating.cfm
59 ms 30 ms 2 /root/website/adsystem/adsystem_mod.cfm
36 ms 36 ms 1 /root/website/adzones/AdZone6.cfm
29 ms 29 ms 1 /root/website/queries/qry_get_active_obc.cfm
27 ms 27 ms 1 /root/website/queries/qry_get_current_competition.cfm
26 ms 26 ms 1 /root/website/actions/adstatus.cfm
26 ms 26 ms 1 /root/website/queries/qry_get_arcs_for_ad.cfm
26 ms 26 ms 1 /root/website/site/blocks/dsp_border_first_impressions.cfm
25 ms 25 ms 1 /root/website/queries/qry_get_books_by_briefs_category.cfm
25 ms 25 ms 1 /root/website/site/blocks/layout/dsp_footer.cfm
23 ms 23 ms 1 /root/website/adzones/showcase_track.cfm
13 ms 13 ms 1 /root/website/act_check_login.cfm
13 ms 13 ms 1 /root/website/queries/qry_get_member_info.cfm
13 ms 13 ms 1 /root/website/queries/qry_get_preview_by_id.cfm
12 ms 12 ms 1 /root/website/reader_reviews/dsp_briefshell.cfm
9 ms 9 ms 1 /root/website/queries/qry_get_obc_number.cfm
9 ms 9 ms 1 /root/website/reader_reviews/dsp_reviews.cfm
9 ms 9 ms 1 /root/website/site/blocks/dsp_book_giveaway.cfm
8 ms 8 ms 1 /root/website/queries/qry_get_preview_awards_by_id.cfm
6 ms 6 ms 1 /root/website/queries/qry_get_current_wordplay.cfm
5 ms 2 ms 3 /root/website/actions/act_spider_tracker.cfm
5 ms 5 ms 1 /root/website/site/blocks/layout/dsp_header.cfm
4 ms 4 ms 1 /root/website/site/blocks/layout/dsp_bottom_block.cfm
4 ms 4 ms 1 /root/website/site/blocks/layout/head.cfm
3 ms 3 ms 1 /root/website/queries/qry_get_free_newsletters.cfm
3 ms 3 ms 1 /root/website/site/blocks/layout/main_menu.cfm
1 ms 1 ms 1 /root/website/queries/qry_get_author_bookcount.cfm
1 ms 1 ms 1 /root/website/queries/qry_get_current_ezine.cfm
1 ms 1 ms 1 /root/website/site/blocks/dsp_top_brief_block.cfm
0 ms 0 ms 1 /root/website/Application.cfm
0 ms 0 ms 1 /root/website/act_libraryIPLogin.cfm
0 ms 0 ms 1 /root/website/actions/udfs.cfm
0 ms 0 ms 1 /root/website/banners/ad_594.cfm
0 ms 0 ms 1 /root/website/formurl2attributes.cfm
0 ms 0 ms 1 /root/website/js/fbjavascriptsdk.cfm
0 ms 0 ms 1 /root/website/queries/qry_get_previous_arcs_for_ad.cfm
0 ms 0 ms 1 /root/website/queries/qry_get_reader_reviews_power_reviewers.cfm
0 ms 0 ms 1 /root/website/reader_reviews/dsp_views.cfm
0 ms 0 ms 1 /root/website/site/blocks/act_book_view_tracking.cfm
0 ms 0 ms 1 /root/website/site/blocks/dsp_border_booktalk.cfm
0 ms 0 ms 1 /root/website/site/blocks/dsp_header_newsletter.cfm
0 ms 0 ms 1 /root/website/site/blocks/dsp_wordplay.cfm
0 ms 0 ms 1 /root/website/site/blocks/email_modal.cfm
0 ms 0 ms 1 /root/website/site/blocks/layout/google_tags.cfm
0 ms 0 ms 1 /root/website/site/blocks/layout/header_announcement.cfm
0 ms 0 ms 1 /root/website/site/blocks/layout/main_search.cfm
5 ms  STARTUP, PARSING, COMPILING, LOADING, & SHUTDOWN
670 ms  TOTAL EXECUTION TIME
red = over 250 ms average execution time


SQL Queries

spidercheck (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=4ms, Records=1) in /root/website/actions/act_spider_tracker.cfm @ 15:53:11.011
SELECT	a.bot_number
        FROM	bots a
        WHERE	charindex(a.bot_name, ?) > 0
		OR a.bot_ip = ?
Query Parameter Value(s) -
Parameter #1(cf_sql_varchar) = Mozilla/5.0 AppleWebKit/537.36 (KHTML, like Gecko; compatible; ClaudeBot/1.0; +claudebot@anthropic.com)
Parameter #2(cf_sql_varchar) = 127.0.0.1

get_member_info (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=13ms, Records=0) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_member_info.cfm @ 15:53:11.011
select 	a.*, 
    		b.member_account_type_name, b.member_account_type_charge, b.member_account_type_charge_frequency,  b.member_account_type_months, 
            c.member_chargetype_name, c.member_chargetype_number, a.member_classification_number, a.member_book_format
	
    from members a, member_account_types b, member_chargetype c
	
    where a.member_account_type_number = b.member_account_type_number
	and a.payment_method_id = c.member_chargetype_number
	and a.member_number = ?
Query Parameter Value(s) -
Parameter #1(CF_SQL_INTEGER) = 0

adactive (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=26ms, Records=2) in /root/website/actions/adstatus.cfm @ 15:53:11.011
SELECT	viewby, section
    FROM	adsystem 
    WHERE	active  = 1 
    AND		start_date <= GETDATE()
    AND 	(viewby = ? OR viewby = 'all')
Query Parameter Value(s) -
Parameter #1(CF_SQL_VARCHAR) = non

get_current_ezine (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=0ms, Records=1, Cached Query) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_current_ezine.cfm @ 15:53:11.011
select		top 1 ezine_number, ezine_dt, ezine_image, ezine_brief_description, ezine_introduction
from		ezines
where		ezine_active_flag = 1
and 		ezine_type_number = 4
and			ezine_dt < getdate()
order by 	ezine_dt DESC
get_current_wordplay (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=6ms, Records=1) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_current_wordplay.cfm @ 15:53:11.011
SELECT		a.wordplay_number, a.wordplay_dt, a.wordplay_name, a.wordplay_intro_text, b.wordplay_puzzle_number, b.wordplay_puzzle_question
    FROM		wordplays a 
	INNER JOIN	wordplay_puzzle_mapping c on c.wordplay_number = a.wordplay_number
	INNER JOIN	wordplay_puzzles b on b.wordplay_puzzle_number = c.wordplay_puzzle_number
	WHERE		a.wordplay_number = (	select top 1 a.wordplay_number
                                from wordplays a, wordplay_puzzles b, wordplay_puzzle_mapping c
                                where a.wordplay_number = c.wordplay_number
                                and b.wordplay_puzzle_number = c.wordplay_puzzle_number
                                and a.wordplay_dt < getdate()
                                and a.wordplay_expiration_dt > dateadd(day, -1, getdate())
                                order by a.wordplay_dt asc
                                )
get_ComNo (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=20ms, Records=0) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_current_competition.cfm @ 15:53:11.011
SELECT 	TOP 1 	x.competition_number, x.bb_briefs_flag
	from			competitions x
	
		WHERE	x.competition_dt <= getdate()
		AND		x.competition_expiration_dt > dateadd(d,-1,getdate())
get_current_competition (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=6ms, Records=0) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_current_competition.cfm @ 15:53:11.011
SELECT 	x.competition_number, x.book_number, x.competition_teaser_title, x.competition_teaser_description, x.competition_intro_text, x.competition_expiration_dt, x.bb_briefs_flag, x.competition_full_info_flag, x.competition_type, x.competition_optin,x.competition_optin_text, 
				a.book_title as "title",
				(b.author_first_name + ' ' +  b.author_middle_initial + ' ' + b.author_last_name) as "author",
	            f.edition_publish_dt AS "hardcover_publish_dt", f.edition_jacket_image as "hardcover_jacket_image",
				g.edition_publish_dt AS "paperback_publish_dt", g.edition_jacket_image as "paperback_jacket_image"
	
		FROM 		competitions x
		INNER JOIN	books a on a.book_number = x.book_number
		INNER JOIN	book_author_mapping c on c.book_number = x.book_number
		INNER JOIN	authors b on c.author_number = b.author_number
		LEFT JOIN	editions f on a.book_number = f.book_number and f.edition_paperback_flag = 0
		LEFT JOIN	editions g on a.book_number = g.book_number and g.edition_paperback_flag = 1

		WHERE		x.competition_number = ?
Query Parameter Value(s) -
Parameter #1(CF_SQL_INTEGER) = 0

get_previous_arcs_for_ad (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=0ms, Records=0, Cached Query) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_previous_arcs_for_ad.cfm @ 15:53:11.011
SELECT 	a.arc_number,a.arc_client_url,a.arc_active_dt, a.arc_off_ad_dt,
		b.ezine_preview_number, b.ezine_preview_title, b.ezine_preview_subtitle, b.ezine_preview_jacket_image, b.ezine_preview_author, b.ezine_preview_publisher, 
		b.ezine_preview_publish_dt, b.ezine_preview_jacket_desc, b.ezine_preview_number_of_pages, b.ezine_preview_bb_comments, b.ezine_preview_isbn13,
		c.ezine_preview_category_name AS "ezine_preview_category",
		(select count(*) from arc_allocator d where d.arc_number = a.arc_number and arc_allocator_review_approved_flag = 1) as "reviews",
		(select (CAST(AVG(CAST(arc_allocator_review_rating AS numeric(12,0))) AS numeric(12,0)))+
				(CASE WHEN right(CAST(AVG(CAST(arc_allocator_review_rating AS numeric(12,2))) AS numeric(12,2)),2) > 25 AND right(CAST(AVG(CAST(arc_allocator_review_rating AS numeric(12,2))) AS numeric(12,2)),2) < 50 THEN 0.5
				 WHEN right(CAST(AVG(CAST(arc_allocator_review_rating AS numeric(12,2))) AS numeric(12,2)),2) > 50 AND right(CAST(AVG(CAST(arc_allocator_review_rating AS numeric(12,2))) AS numeric(12,2)),2) < 75 THEN -0.5
				 ELSE 0
				 END)
 			from arc_allocator	where arc_number = a.arc_number and arc_allocator_review_approved_flag = 1) AS arcrating,
 			(select (CAST(AVG(CAST(arc_allocator_review_rating AS numeric(12,1))) AS numeric(12,1)))from arc_allocator where arc_number = a.arc_number and arc_allocator_review_approved_flag = 1) AS "decrating"

FROM arcs a
INNER JOIN ezine_previews b ON b.ezine_preview_number = a.ezine_preview_number
INNER JOIN ezine_preview_categories c ON b.ezine_preview_category_number = c.ezine_preview_category_number

WHERE arc_closed_flag = 1
AND arc_obc_flag = 0
AND getdate() >= arc_on_ad_dt
AND getdate() < arc_off_ad_dt

ORDER BY a.arc_on_ad_dt DESC
get_future_obc (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=7ms, Records=0) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_active_obc.cfm @ 15:53:11.011
SELECT 		a.arc_forumidfk, a.discourse_flag, a.arc_promo_text, arc_on_ad_dt,
				b.ezine_preview_number, b.ezine_preview_title, b.ezine_preview_subtitle, b.ezine_preview_jacket_image, b.ezine_preview_author, b.ezine_preview_jacket_desc, b.ezine_preview_publisher, ezine_preview_publish_dt, ezine_preview_number_of_pages, ezine_preview_isbn, ezine_preview_short_summary,
	            b.ezine_preview_bb_author_link, ezine_preview_bb_link
	
	FROM 		arcs a
	INNER JOIN 	ezine_previews b ON b.ezine_preview_number = a.ezine_preview_number
	
	WHERE 		arc_obc_flag = 1

	AND 		getdate() < arc_on_ad_dt
	
		ORDER BY  	NEWID()
get_active_obc (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=6ms, Records=1) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_active_obc.cfm @ 15:53:11.011
SELECT 		a.arc_forumidfk, a.discourse_flag, a.arc_promo_text,
				b.ezine_preview_number, b.ezine_preview_title, b.ezine_preview_subtitle, b.ezine_preview_jacket_image, b.ezine_preview_author, b.ezine_preview_jacket_desc, b.ezine_preview_publisher, ezine_preview_publish_dt, ezine_preview_number_of_pages,  ezine_preview_isbn, ezine_preview_short_summary,
	            b.ezine_preview_bb_author_link, ezine_preview_bb_link,
	            c.book_reading_guide
	
	FROM 		arcs a
	INNER JOIN 	ezine_previews b ON b.ezine_preview_number = a.ezine_preview_number
	LEFT JOIN  	books c on c.book_number = b.ezine_preview_bb_link
	
	WHERE 		a.arc_obc_flag = 1
	AND			a.arc_active_flag = 0
	AND 		arc_closed_flag = 1
	AND 		getdate() >= arc_on_ad_dt
	AND 		getdate() < arc_off_ad_dt
	ORDER BY  	NEWID()
get_recent_obc (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=13ms, Records=4) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_active_obc.cfm @ 15:53:11.011
SELECT 		a.arc_forumidfk, a.discourse_flag, a.arc_promo_text,
				b.ezine_preview_number, b.ezine_preview_title, b.ezine_preview_subtitle, b.ezine_preview_jacket_image, b.ezine_preview_author, b.ezine_preview_jacket_desc, b.ezine_preview_publisher, ezine_preview_publish_dt, ezine_preview_number_of_pages,  ezine_preview_isbn, ezine_preview_short_summary,
	            b.ezine_preview_bb_author_link, ezine_preview_bb_link,
	            c.book_reading_guide
	
	FROM 		arcs a
	INNER JOIN 	ezine_previews b ON b.ezine_preview_number = a.ezine_preview_number
	LEFT JOIN  	books c on c.book_number = b.ezine_preview_bb_link
	
	WHERE a.arc_number IN (select top 4 arc_number
							from		arcs
							WHERE 		arc_obc_flag = 1
							AND			arc_active_flag = 0
							AND 		arc_closed_flag = 1
							AND 		getdate() > arc_off_ad_dt
							ORDER BY	arc_on_ad_dt DESC)
	ORDER BY  	NEWID()
get_book_number (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=14ms, Records=1) in /root/website/reader_reviews/index.cfm @ 15:53:11.011
SELECT 	ezine_preview_bb_link, ezine_preview_title
		FROM 	ezine_previews
		WHERE 	ezine_preview_number = ?
Query Parameter Value(s) -
Parameter #1(CF_SQL_INTEGER) = 18453

get_reader_reviews_power_reviewers (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=0ms, Records=50, Cached Query) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_reader_reviews_power_reviewers.cfm @ 15:53:11.011
SELECT 		top 50 reader_review_reviewer_email_address, count(reader_review_reviewer_email_address) as "count"
	FROM 		reader_reviews
	WHERE 		reader_review_reviewer_email_address like '%@%'
	AND 		reader_review_reviewer_email_address <> 'reviews@bookbrowse.com'
	GROUP BY 	reader_review_reviewer_email_address
	
	
	ORDER BY 	count desc
get_preview_by_id (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=12ms, Records=1) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_preview_by_id.cfm @ 15:53:11.011
select 			a.ezine_preview_number,
				a.ezine_number, 
				a.ezine_preview_category_number, 
				a.ezine_preview_title, 
				a.ezine_preview_subtitle, 
				a.ezine_preview_author, 
				a.ezine_preview_publisher,
				a.ezine_preview_publish_dt,
				a.ezine_preview_number_of_pages, 
				a.ezine_preview_jacket_image,
				a.ezine_preview_reviews,
				a.ezine_preview_short_summary,
				a.ezine_preview_jacket_desc,
				a.ezine_preview_reading_guide,
				a.ezine_preview_bb_comments, 
				a.ezine_preview_isbn,
				a.ezine_preview_isbn13,
				a.ezine_preview_rating,
				a.ezine_preview_bb_link,
                a.ezine_preview_bb_author_link,
                a.ezine_preview_firsts_flag,
                a.ezine_preview_reading_level,
                a.ezine_preview_paperback_flag,
				b.*,
                c.ezine_dt, c.ezine_description
,(select publisher_holding_company from publishers where ezine_preview_publisher like publisher_imprint AND publisher_holding_company LIKE 'Harper%') AS "publisher_holding_company"		
 				
from ezine_previews a 
inner join ezine_preview_categories b ON b.ezine_preview_category_number = a.ezine_preview_category_number
left join ezines c ON c.ezine_number = a.ezine_number

where ezine_preview_number = ?
Query Parameter Value(s) -
Parameter #1(CF_SQL_INTEGER) = 18453

get_preview_awards_by_id (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=7ms, Records=0) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_preview_awards_by_id.cfm @ 15:53:11.011
select a.book_award_number, a.book_award_name, a.book_award_image, c.book_award_dt
    from book_awards a 
    inner join book_awards_category b on b.book_award_number = a.book_award_number
    inner join book_awards_mapping c on c.book_awards_category_number = b.book_awards_category_number
    where ezine_preview_number =  ?
Query Parameter Value(s) -
Parameter #1(CF_SQL_INTEGER) = 18453

get_briefs_reader_rating (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=60ms, Records=1) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_briefs_reader_rating.cfm @ 15:53:11.011
SELECT	(CAST(AVG(CAST(rating AS numeric(12,0))) AS numeric(12,0)))+
				(CASE WHEN right(CAST(AVG(CAST(rating AS numeric(12,2))) AS numeric(12,2)),2) > 25 AND right(CAST(AVG(CAST(rating AS numeric(12,2))) AS numeric(12,2)),2) < 50 THEN 0.5
				 WHEN right(CAST(AVG(CAST(rating AS numeric(12,2))) AS numeric(12,2)),2) >= 50 AND right(CAST(AVG(CAST(rating AS numeric(12,2))) AS numeric(12,2)),2) < 75 THEN -0.5
			ELSE 0
			END) AS "avrating",
            count(rating) as "ratcount"
            
	FROM (
		SELECT reader_review_rating AS rating
		FROM reader_reviews
		WHERE ezine_preview_number = ?
		
		AND reader_review_rating > 0
		
		UNION ALL
		
		SELECT reading_list_book_rating AS rating
		FROM reading_lists
		WHERE book_number LIKE 'p%'
		AND TRY_CAST(SUBSTRING(book_number, 2, LEN(book_number)) AS INT) = ?
		AND reading_list_book_rating > 0
		AND TRY_CAST(SUBSTRING(book_number, 2, LEN(book_number)) AS INT) IS NOT NULL
	) combined_ratings
Query Parameter Value(s) -
Parameter #1(CF_SQL_INTEGER) = 18453
Parameter #2(CF_SQL_INTEGER) = 18453

get_reader_reviews_by_preview_number (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=86ms, Records=31) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_reader_reviews_by_preview_number.cfm @ 15:53:11.011
SELECT 		a.reader_review_number, a.book_number, a.ezine_preview_number, a.reader_review_approved_flag, a.reader_review_dt,
				COALESCE(NULLIF(LTRIM(RTRIM(m.discourse_username)), ''), NULLIF(LTRIM(RTRIM(a.reader_review_reviewer_name)), '')) AS reader_review_reviewer_name,
				a.reader_review_reviewer_email_address, a.reader_review_reviewer_from_locale, a.reader_review_recommended, a.reader_review_rating, a.reader_review_title, a.reader_review_description, ISNULL(a.like_count, 0) AS like_count,
    			b.ezine_preview_title,
    			ISNULL(e.edit_count, 0) AS edit_count,
    			e.last_edit_dt,
    			a.member_number AS review_member_number
    FROM 		reader_reviews a
    INNER JOIN	ezine_previews b ON a.ezine_preview_number = b.ezine_preview_number
    LEFT OUTER JOIN (
    	SELECT reader_review_number, COUNT(*) AS edit_count, MAX(edited_dt) AS last_edit_dt
    	FROM   reader_review_edits
    	GROUP BY reader_review_number
    ) e ON e.reader_review_number = a.reader_review_number
    LEFT OUTER JOIN members m ON m.member_number = a.member_number
	WHERE 		a.ezine_preview_number = ?
    AND			a.book_number = 0
    AND 		a.reader_review_approved_flag = 1
    

	ORDER BY a.reader_review_rating DESC, a.reader_review_dt DESC
Query Parameter Value(s) -
Parameter #1(CF_SQL_INTEGER) = 18453

get_arc_idfk (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=9ms, Records=0) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_discussion_by_id.cfm @ 15:53:11.011
SELECT 		a.arc_forumidfk,a.discourse_flag
    FROM 		arcs a
    INNER JOIN 	ezine_previews e on e.ezine_preview_number = a.ezine_preview_number
    
	
        WHERE 		e.ezine_preview_number = ? 
    AND DATALENGTH(a.arc_forumidfk) > 0 AND arc_obc_flag=1
Query Parameter Value(s) -
Parameter #1(cf_sql_integer) = 18453

get_arc_idfk_legacy (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=9ms, Records=0) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_discussion_by_id.cfm @ 15:53:11.011
SELECT 		a.arc_forumidfk,a.discourse_flag
    FROM 		arcs a
    INNER JOIN 	ezine_previews e on e.ezine_preview_number = a.ezine_preview_number
    
	
        WHERE 		e.ezine_preview_number = ? 
    AND DATALENGTH(a.arc_forumidfk) > 0 AND arc_obc_flag=1 AND a.discourse_flag = 0
Query Parameter Value(s) -
Parameter #1(cf_sql_integer) = 18453

obc_discussions (Datasource=booktalk_new, Time=90ms, Records=0) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_discussion_by_id.cfm @ 15:53:11.011
SELECT 		t.name,
                m.title, m.body,
                u.username, t.id,
				(SELECT COUNT(*) from booktalk_messages where threadidfk = t.id) AS	"responses"
                
    FROM 		booktalk_forums f
    INNER JOIN	booktalk_threads t on t.forumidfk = f.id
    INNER JOIN	booktalk_messages m on m.posted = t.lastpostcreated
    INNER JOIN	booktalk_users u on u.id = m.useridfk
    
    WHERE 	f.id = ?
    AND 	f.active = 1
	AND		t.active = 1
    
    ORDER BY t.name, t.messages DESC
Query Parameter Value(s) -
Parameter #1(cf_sql_varchar) =

searchResults (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=71ms, Records=0) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_discussion_by_id.cfm @ 15:53:11.011
SELECT book_number, post_id, topic_id, blurb, username, topic_title
					FROM DiscourseSearchResults
					
        WHERE 		book_number = ? 
                    AND topic_id IS NOT NULL
Query Parameter Value(s) -
Parameter #1(cf_sql_varchar) = p18453

ya_check (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=11ms, Records=0) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_books_by_briefs_category.cfm @ 15:53:11.011
select ezine_preview_reading_level 
from ezine_previews 
where ezine_preview_number = ?
and ezine_preview_reading_level = 2
Query Parameter Value(s) -
Parameter #1(CF_SQL_INTEGER) = 18453

get_books_by_brief (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=12ms, Records=20) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_books_by_briefs_category.cfm @ 15:53:11.011
select 			top 20
				a.ezine_preview_reading_level,
				b.category_name,
				c.category_number, 
				d.book_number, d.book_title,
				f.author_number, f.author_first_name, author_middle_initial, author_last_name
				
from 			ezine_previews a 
inner join		categories b on b.ezine_preview_category_number = a.ezine_preview_category_number
inner join		category_book_mapping c on c.category_number = b.category_number
inner join		books d on d.book_number = c.book_number
inner join		book_author_mapping e on e.book_number = d.book_number
inner join		authors f on f.author_number = e.author_number

where			a.ezine_preview_number = ? 

order by 		d.book_number DESC
Query Parameter Value(s) -
Parameter #1(CF_SQL_INTEGER) = 18453

get_author_bookcount (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=1ms, Records=0) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_author_bookcount.cfm @ 15:53:11.011
select		b.book_title as "title", 1 as "bb_flag", b.book_number as "number"
        from		book_author_mapping a
		inner join	books b on b.book_number = a.book_number
        where		a.author_number = ?
union
    	select		c.ezine_preview_title as "title", 0 as "bb_flag", c.ezine_preview_number as "number"
        from		ezine_previews c
        where		c.ezine_preview_bb_author_link = ?
        and			c.ezine_preview_bb_link = 0
		and 1=0
order by title DESC
Query Parameter Value(s) -
Parameter #1(CF_SQL_INTEGER) = 0
Parameter #2(CF_SQL_INTEGER) = 0

get_obc_number (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=9ms, Records=1) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_obc_number.cfm @ 15:53:11.011
select a.arc_forumidfk
    from arcs a
    
    	where a.ezine_preview_number = ?
Query Parameter Value(s) -
Parameter #1(cf_sql_numeric) = 18453.0

IsPowerReviewer (Datasource=, Time=0ms, Records=0) in /root/website/reader_reviews/dsp_reviews.cfm @ 15:53:11.011
select *
			from get_reader_reviews_power_reviewers
			where reader_review_reviewer_email_address LIKE 'Gomersall.trish@yahoo.com'
IsPowerReviewer (Datasource=, Time=0ms, Records=0) in /root/website/reader_reviews/dsp_reviews.cfm @ 15:53:11.011
select *
			from get_reader_reviews_power_reviewers
			where reader_review_reviewer_email_address LIKE 'amyalvarez3@gmail.com'
IsPowerReviewer (Datasource=, Time=0ms, Records=0) in /root/website/reader_reviews/dsp_reviews.cfm @ 15:53:11.011
select *
			from get_reader_reviews_power_reviewers
			where reader_review_reviewer_email_address LIKE 'sonyamag@verizon.net'
IsPowerReviewer (Datasource=, Time=0ms, Records=0) in /root/website/reader_reviews/dsp_reviews.cfm @ 15:53:11.011
select *
			from get_reader_reviews_power_reviewers
			where reader_review_reviewer_email_address LIKE 'bvanfossen62@gmail.com'
IsPowerReviewer (Datasource=, Time=0ms, Records=0) in /root/website/reader_reviews/dsp_reviews.cfm @ 15:53:11.011
select *
			from get_reader_reviews_power_reviewers
			where reader_review_reviewer_email_address LIKE 'Absolari@hotmail.com'
IsPowerReviewer (Datasource=, Time=1ms, Records=1) in /root/website/reader_reviews/dsp_reviews.cfm @ 15:53:11.011
select *
			from get_reader_reviews_power_reviewers
			where reader_review_reviewer_email_address LIKE 'rjgaulton@gmail.com'
IsPowerReviewer (Datasource=, Time=0ms, Records=1) in /root/website/reader_reviews/dsp_reviews.cfm @ 15:53:11.011
select *
			from get_reader_reviews_power_reviewers
			where reader_review_reviewer_email_address LIKE 'CathrynConroy@gmail.com'
get_arcs_for_ad (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=10ms, Records=0) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_arcs_for_ad.cfm @ 15:53:11.011
SELECT 	top 10 a.arc_number,arc_promo_text,
		b.ezine_preview_number, b.ezine_preview_title, b.ezine_preview_subtitle, b.ezine_preview_jacket_image, b.ezine_preview_author, b.ezine_preview_publish_dt, 
		(select (CAST(AVG(CAST(arc_allocator_review_rating AS numeric(12,0))) AS numeric(12,0)))+
				(CASE WHEN right(CAST(AVG(CAST(arc_allocator_review_rating AS numeric(12,2))) AS numeric(12,2)),2) > 25 AND right(CAST(AVG(CAST(arc_allocator_review_rating AS numeric(12,2))) AS numeric(12,2)),2) < 50 THEN 0.5
				 WHEN right(CAST(AVG(CAST(arc_allocator_review_rating AS numeric(12,2))) AS numeric(12,2)),2) > 50 AND right(CAST(AVG(CAST(arc_allocator_review_rating AS numeric(12,2))) AS numeric(12,2)),2) < 75 THEN -0.5
				 ELSE 0
				 END)
 			from arc_allocator	where arc_number = a.arc_number and arc_allocator_review_approved_flag = 1) AS arcrating

FROM arcs a
INNER JOIN ezine_previews b ON b.ezine_preview_number = a.ezine_preview_number

WHERE arc_closed_flag = 1
AND arc_obc_flag = 0
AND getdate() >= arc_on_ad_dt
AND (select count(*) from arc_allocator d where d.arc_number = a.arc_number and arc_allocator_review_approved_flag = 1) > 1
and getdate() <= dateadd(day,1,a.arc_off_ad_dt)

ORDER BY NEWID()
get_arcs_for_ad (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=14ms, Records=3) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_arcs_for_ad.cfm @ 15:53:11.011
SELECT 	top 3 a.arc_number,arc_promo_text,
			b.ezine_preview_number, b.ezine_preview_title, b.ezine_preview_subtitle, b.ezine_preview_jacket_image, b.ezine_preview_author, b.ezine_preview_publish_dt, 
			(select (CAST(AVG(CAST(arc_allocator_review_rating AS numeric(12,0))) AS numeric(12,0)))+
					(CASE WHEN right(CAST(AVG(CAST(arc_allocator_review_rating AS numeric(12,2))) AS numeric(12,2)),2) > 25 AND right(CAST(AVG(CAST(arc_allocator_review_rating AS numeric(12,2))) AS numeric(12,2)),2) < 50 THEN 0.5
					 WHEN right(CAST(AVG(CAST(arc_allocator_review_rating AS numeric(12,2))) AS numeric(12,2)),2) > 50 AND right(CAST(AVG(CAST(arc_allocator_review_rating AS numeric(12,2))) AS numeric(12,2)),2) < 75 THEN -0.5
					 ELSE 0
					 END)
				from arc_allocator	where arc_number = a.arc_number and arc_allocator_review_approved_flag = 1) AS arcrating

	FROM arcs a
	INNER JOIN ezine_previews b ON b.ezine_preview_number = a.ezine_preview_number

	WHERE arc_closed_flag = 1
	AND arc_obc_flag = 0
	AND getdate() >= arc_on_ad_dt
	AND (select count(*) from arc_allocator d where d.arc_number = a.arc_number and arc_allocator_review_approved_flag = 1) > 1

	ORDER BY a.arc_off_ad_dt DESC
get_ads (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=18ms, Records=0) in /root/website/adsystem/adsystem_mod.cfm @ 15:53:11.011
SELECT		a.adid,	adweight
	FROM		adsystem a
	INNER JOIN 	ad_category_mapping b ON b.adid = a.adid
	WHERE		a.section = ?
	AND			a.active  = 1
	AND 		a.start_date <= GETDATE()
	
	AND (a.viewby LIKE '%n%' OR a.viewby = 'all')
            

	AND     (b.category_number IN (	SELECT	category_number
									FROM	category_book_mapping
									WHERE	book_number = ?)
      		OR 	b.category_number = ?)
Query Parameter Value(s) -
Parameter #1(CF_SQL_VARCHAR) = adzone6
Parameter #2(CF_SQL_VARCHAR) = 0
Parameter #3(CF_SQL_VARCHAR) = 0

get_ads (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=8ms, Records=1) in /root/website/adsystem/adsystem_mod.cfm @ 15:53:11.011
SELECT	a.adid,	adweight
        FROM	adsystem a
        WHERE	a.section = ? 
        AND 	a.active  = 1 
        AND		a.start_date <= GETDATE()	
        
        AND (a.viewby LIKE '%n%' OR a.viewby = 'all')
        AND (select count(*) from ad_category_mapping where datalength(category_number) >= 1 and adid = a.adid) = 0
Query Parameter Value(s) -
Parameter #1(CF_SQL_VARCHAR) = adzone6

get_type (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=6ms, Records=1) in /root/website/adsystem/adsystem_mod.cfm @ 15:53:11.011
SELECT	a.start_date, a.adid, a.end_date, a.camp_views, a.image_name, a.alt_text, a.views, a.code, a.adsize
        FROM	adsystem a
        WHERE	a.adid = ?
Query Parameter Value(s) -
Parameter #1(CF_SQL_INTEGER) = 1112

get_quotes (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=8ms, Records=1) in /root/website/site/blocks/dsp_book_giveaway.cfm @ 15:53:11.011
select top 1 ezine_number, ezine_quote, ezine_quote_title
	    from ezines
	    where len(ezine_quote_title) > 1
	    order by newid()
get_free_newsletters (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=0ms, Records=4, Cached Query) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_free_newsletters.cfm @ 15:53:11.011
SELECT 	*
    FROM 	free_newsletters
get_ads (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=5ms, Records=0) in /root/website/adsystem/adsystem_mod.cfm @ 15:53:11.011
SELECT		a.adid,	adweight
	FROM		adsystem a
	INNER JOIN 	ad_category_mapping b ON b.adid = a.adid
	WHERE		a.section = ?
	AND			a.active  = 1
	AND 		a.start_date <= GETDATE()
		 	AND a.adid NOT IN (?) 
	AND (a.viewby LIKE '%n%' OR a.viewby = 'all')
            

	AND     (b.category_number IN (	SELECT	category_number
									FROM	category_book_mapping
									WHERE	book_number = ?)
      		OR 	b.category_number = ?)
Query Parameter Value(s) -
Parameter #1(CF_SQL_VARCHAR) = showcase_track
Parameter #2(CF_SQL_INTEGER) = 1112
Parameter #3(CF_SQL_VARCHAR) = 0
Parameter #4(CF_SQL_VARCHAR) = 0

get_ads (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=6ms, Records=1) in /root/website/adsystem/adsystem_mod.cfm @ 15:53:11.011
SELECT	a.adid,	adweight
        FROM	adsystem a
        WHERE	a.section = ? 
        AND 	a.active  = 1 
        AND		a.start_date <= GETDATE()	
        		AND a.adid NOT IN (?) 
        AND (a.viewby LIKE '%n%' OR a.viewby = 'all')
        AND (select count(*) from ad_category_mapping where datalength(category_number) >= 1 and adid = a.adid) = 0
Query Parameter Value(s) -
Parameter #1(CF_SQL_VARCHAR) = showcase_track
Parameter #2(CF_SQL_INTEGER) = 1112

get_type (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=9ms, Records=1) in /root/website/adsystem/adsystem_mod.cfm @ 15:53:11.011
SELECT	a.start_date, a.adid, a.end_date, a.camp_views, a.image_name, a.alt_text, a.views, a.code, a.adsize
        FROM	adsystem a
        WHERE	a.adid = ?
Query Parameter Value(s) -
Parameter #1(CF_SQL_INTEGER) = 594


Scope Variables

CGI Variables:
AUTH_PASSWORD=
AUTH_TYPE=
AUTH_USER=
CERT_COOKIE=
CERT_FLAGS=
CERT_ISSUER=
CERT_KEYSIZE=
CERT_SECRETKEYSIZE=
CERT_SERIALNUMBER=
CERT_SERVER_ISSUER=
CERT_SERVER_SUBJECT=
CERT_SUBJECT=
CF_TEMPLATE_PATH=/root/website/reader_reviews/index.cfm
CONTENT_LENGTH=
CONTENT_TYPE=
CONTEXT_PATH=
GATEWAY_INTERFACE=
HTTPS=
HTTPS_KEYSIZE=
HTTPS_SECRETKEYSIZE=
HTTPS_SERVER_ISSUER=
HTTPS_SERVER_SUBJECT=
HTTP_ACCEPT=*/*
HTTP_ACCEPT_ENCODING=gzip, br, zstd, deflate
HTTP_ACCEPT_LANGUAGE=
HTTP_CONNECTION=upgrade
HTTP_COOKIE=CFTOKEN=bcc411628e823362-26E1F42A-AF93-4BCE-07A9DED2E72846B2; CFGLOBALS=urltoken%3DCFID%23%3D4106471%26CFTOKEN%23%3Dbcc411628e823362%2D26E1F42A%2DAF93%2D4BCE%2D07A9DED2E72846B2%23lastvisit%3D%7Bts%20%272026%2D06%2D01%2015%3A53%3A11%27%7D%23hitcount%3D74%23timecreated%3D%7Bts%20%272026%2D06%2D01%2015%3A52%3A58%27%7D%23cftoken%3Dc097cd212b915164%2D26E1F10E%2DED60%2D34B0%2D2148FEF26655FE01%23cfid%3D4106470%23; CFCLIENT_BOOKBROWSE=order%3Dp%23member%5Fnumber%3D0%23member%5Factive%5Fflag%3D0%23member%5Flogged%5Fin%5Fflag%3D0%23library%5Fuser%5Fflag%3D0%23view%3Dbooks%23; CFID=4106471
HTTP_HOST=dev.bookbrowse.com
HTTP_REFERER=
HTTP_URL=
HTTP_USER_AGENT=Mozilla/5.0 AppleWebKit/537.36 (KHTML, like Gecko; compatible; ClaudeBot/1.0; +claudebot@anthropic.com)
LOCAL_ADDR=127.0.0.1
PATH_INFO=/ezine_preview_number/18453/page/4/the-funeral-cryer
PATH_TRANSLATED=/root/website/reader_reviews/index.cfm
QUERY_STRING=
REMOTE_ADDR=127.0.0.1
REMOTE_HOST=127.0.0.1
REMOTE_USER=
REQUEST_METHOD=GET
SCRIPT_NAME=/reader_reviews/index.cfm
SERVER_NAME=dev.bookbrowse.com
SERVER_PORT=8500
SERVER_PORT_SECURE=0
SERVER_PROTOCOL=HTTP/1.1
SERVER_SOFTWARE=
WEB_SERVER_API=
Client Variables:
cfid=4106470
cftoken=c097cd212b915164-26E1F10E-ED60-34B0-2148FEF26655FE01
hitcount=82
lastvisit={ts '2026-06-01 15:53:11'}
library_user_flag=0
member_active_flag=0
member_logged_in_flag=0
member_number=0
order=p
timecreated={ts '2026-06-01 15:52:58'}
urltoken=CFID=4106471&CFTOKEN=bcc411628e823362-26E1F42A-AF93-4BCE-07A9DED2E72846B2
view=books
Cookie Variables:
CFCLIENT_BOOKBROWSE=order=p#member_number=0#member_active_flag=0#member_logged_in_flag=0#library_user_flag=0#view=books#
CFGLOBALS=urltoken=CFID#=4106471&CFTOKEN#=bcc411628e823362-26E1F42A-AF93-4BCE-07A9DED2E72846B2#lastvisit={ts '2026-06-01 15:53:11'}#hitcount=74#timecreated={ts '2026-06-01 15:52:58'}#cftoken=c097cd212b915164-26E1F10E-ED60-34B0-2148FEF26655FE01#cfid=4106470#
CFID=4106471
CFTOKEN=bcc411628e823362-26E1F42A-AF93-4BCE-07A9DED2E72846B2
Session Variables:
cfid=4106471
cftoken=bcc411628e823362-26E1F42A-AF93-4BCE-07A9DED2E72846B2
sessionid=BOOKBROWSE_4106471_bcc411628e823362-26E1F42A-AF93-4BCE-07A9DED2E72846B2
urltoken=CFID=4106471&CFTOKEN=bcc411628e823362-26E1F42A-AF93-4BCE-07A9DED2E72846B2
URL Parameters:
ezine_preview_number=18453
page=4
the-funeral-cryer=
Debug Rendering Time: 13 ms