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Hurdy Gurdy and The Zoo author Christopher Wilson dies aged 74
Author Christopher Wilson died on Friday 9th August 2024 aged 74, his publisher, Faber, has confirmed. He is survived by his wife Fiona and children Ben and Sophia.
Wilson was the author of many novels, published over the course of more than 30 years. His most recent works, Hurdy Gurdy and The Zoo, are both published by Faber, while his earlier novels include The Ballad of Lee Cotton (Abacus), The Wurd (Flamingo) and Gallimauf’s Gospel (Flamingo), among other books.
His work has been translated into several languages, adapted for the stage and twice shortlisted for the Whitbread Fiction Prize, and he was also longlisted for the HWA Crown Awards.
Jonny Geller, Wilson’s literary agent, said: "Chris was a wonderful talent with a body of work that spanned more than three decades. His novels are unexpected, funny, unique, warm and clever – like the man. His books will last for many years to come. He will be sorely missed by all who had the privilege of working with him and our heart goes out to his family, his wife Fiona and children Ben and Sophia."
Louisa Joyner, associate publisher for fiction at Faber, added: "Chris Wilson was a joy to publish. A truly gifted satirist, his writing pierced egos with a generosity that made his portraits all the more devastating. He has been with me since the start of my life at Faber, and I feel truly honoured to have been his editor.
"From little Yuri Zippit to glorious Brother Diggory, his protagonists are rendered so exquisitely that they have become like friends. His wit and his brilliance will be sorely missed here at Faber, not least by me. Our thoughts are with his family."
Beyond writing fiction, Wilson completed a published PhD on the psychology of humour at the London School of Economics, worked widely as a research psychologist and semiotic consultant, and lectured for 10 years at Goldsmiths, University of London. He also taught creative writing in prisons, as well as to undergraduates and for the Arvon Foundation.
