Upward Bound

A vibrant, profoundly moving novel about friendship, connection and the dreams that shape us, set in an adult daycare centre in California.

'Wonderfully inspirational' Paul Beatty
'It will change the way you look at the world' Angie Kim
'A complicated joy' Roddy Doyle

Among the clients and staff are Carlos, a charismatic aide who lost his mother as a boy, and Jorge, who is gentle, nonspeaking and prone to escape despite Carlos's best efforts. Tom, a beautiful young man with cerebral palsy, pines for Ann, the lifeguard for the summer who feels out of her depth. Then there's Dave, the centre's director. He wanted to be an actor, but finds himself on a very different path.

At the heart of Upward Bound is Walter, a recent college student returning to the company of his peers after a family tragedy. Around him, a story unfolds of friendships forged, connections missed and the dreams - some new, others almost forgotten - that shape us. With his wit, empathy and astonishing gifts as a storyteller, Woody Brown immerses us in life as we have never experienced it before.

'Deeply funny and eye-opening' Maria Semple

'A wonderful portrait' Guardian

'A luminous novel of human connection and hope' Cecile Pin

'A story of friendship, dreams and rich inner worlds' Seán Hewitt

'A singular debut' New York Times

'A moving, illuminating glimpse into a world we rarely have access to' Good Housekeeping

A BOOK FOR THE YEAR IN THE NEW YORK TIMES, TIME, HARPER'S BAZAAR, GOOD HOUSEKEEPING AND LITERARY HUB