Sodom and Gomorrah, Texas

by R. A. Lafferty

"Sodom and Gomorrah, Texas" by R. A. Lafferty is a surreal and humorous novel written in the late 20th century. This work combines elements of fantastical storytelling and social commentary, exploring the quirks of human nature and the absurdities of bureaucratic systems. The narrative centers around the unlikely experiences of a census taker named Manuel, whose misinterpretation of his assignment leads to unexpected and chaotic consequences. The story unfolds as Manuel, a rather unconventional census taker with a penchant for humorous misunderstanding, takes on the task of counting not just the people but various creatures, including mythical "little people," in an area known as Sodom. His humorous misjudgment results in a comically exaggerated census filled with named creatures that do not adhere to conventional definitions. As the plot progresses, Manuel becomes embroiled in events that challenge perception and reality, leading to a crisis in a nearby town when the population surges on paper but is nonexistent in reality. The whimsical narrative culminates in disaster, humorously critiquing human misunderstanding, the nature of bureaucracy, and the interplay between fantasy and reality in everyday life.