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Census

By Jesse Ball
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3.42 goodreads logo

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Check link for latest rating. ( 3,671 ratings, 682 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Census by Jesse Ball is a poignant and surreal narrative that follows a widowed father and his son with Down syndrome on a journey through an unnamed country. Tasked with conducting a government census, they encounter a variety of towns and inhabitants, reflecting on themes of life, empathy, and the human condition. This touching tale is both a road trip and an exploration of the bond between father and son.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

If you're drawn to poignant and thought-provoking narratives that explore themes of family, identity, and society's perceptions, you'll likely find this book engaging. Its introspective journey of a father and son, infused with a blend of allegory and realism, offers a unique and moving reading experience.

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Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

When a widower receives notice from a doctor that he doesn’t have long to live, he is struck by the question of who will care for his adult son—a son whom he fiercely loves, a son with Down syndrome. With no recourse in mind, and with a desire to see the country on one last trip, the man signs up as a census-taker for a mysterious governmental bureau and leaves town with his son.

Census is a novel about free will, grief, the power of memory and the ferocity of parental love, from one of America’s most captivating young writers.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Jesse Ball's Census is highly praised for its poignant and imaginative narrative, with critics drawing parallels to works by Cormac McCarthy and Italo Calvino. The novel is celebrated for its exploration of love and compassion, serving as a moving tribute to the author's late brother who had Down syndrome. Reviewers note its emotional depth, calling it a powerful meditation on grief and humanity, offering unique reflections on empathy and the human experience.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781925603446

Publisher: Text Publishing

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 02 April 2018

Country: Australia

Imprint: The Text Publishing Company

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Width: 153.0mm

Height: 234.0mm

Weight: 250g

Pages: 272

Collections

Fiction General Fiction Jesse Ball Penguin Books

About the Author

Jesse Ball (1978–). Novelist, absurdist. Born in New York. His many and varied works are beloved in a dozen languages.

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