If you live in Northern or Southern California…have memories from the 70’s or 80’s influence …and/or have a special thing for Stevie Nicks … this book will have your heart just from the barebones aesthetics: [the setting and time period]
But that’s just the tip of the iceberg…
Our protagonist, Steven Mills, is 40ish. He’s trying to come to some type of closure with his father.
Anything I say from here on out won’t possibly communicate my deepest feelings of this novel —
“The Imagined Life” might even be the most affecting - even life altering novel I’ve read a year!
Note: I’ve read every Booker Prize nominated book this year - both long and short list.
I loved MANY BOOKS…. I’m a daily reader junkie. Often — easy to please — but some books are OURS.
Yes, we want to share ‘our’ book with friends - with the world - have worthy discussions very much…..but we also know THIS BOOK BELONGS TO ME. The author wrote it for people like me. I can honesty cry here as I type this — I’m sincerely thankful to Andrew Porter.

A personal share after finishing it around 2am… after a few tears ….
For the first time in 43 years. I had the most vivid dream of my oldest daughter whom I’ve not seen or talked with (other than a few birthday text sentences) in ten years….
Something happened to me so profoundly—
and may I also say my dream was so beautiful…
so real and vivid …
tears are streaming down my face again now —
Heck— I had tears reading the acknowledgments!!
But do I dare post ‘this’ type of review in the question?
Hmmmm…
I’ve got notes. I did more highlighting than needed …
I looked up the Italian film Noir of L’Avventura … (with plans to watch it).
I was interested in every single aspect of this novel ….
I lived inside our protagonist’s head … such a beautiful soul Steven Mills was….
….but instead of a more ‘content’ review … I hope readers who value these types of books - will read THIS ONE ….
I already wrote a few words on Facebook — thinking I’ll write a ‘real’ review later ….
But what I wrote ‘is’ enough … it came quickly from my heart immediately after finishing it - following that morning dream of my daughter.
In my dream I hugged Katy so tightly (she had fallen- not hurt but I saw it happen) I ran to her and said … “may I please comfort you - love you?” I said a few more things holding her precious beautiful
face in my hands — so sorry for all of it — all the ‘stuff’.
I am sorry I failed her - told her - she knew - she sincerely loved me back.

So — re- creating a few things I said on my Facebook page about “The Imagined Life” . . .
…..this novel is a great choice for those who have a son - were a son — or have a daughter- or were a daughter - are a mother or father —
Maybe you experience grief as a child - during your pre- teen or teen years -
Maybe you experience grief now as a parent associated with a child you love -
Maybe closure and forgiveness seems hopeless -
There are themes spread out - mental illness - best friend bonding - identity/ gender confusion and secrets - great books - music - film noir’s mentioned (that left an impression on me too) — pool gatherings - astute observations from a young teen towards a parent - both parents - abandonment- marriage -
College academia— tenure pressures - aging — LOVE — —- definitely LOVE …

There are a few quotes in this book sooo good — I must come back and include a few — or — well readers: you’ll find them.
I’m writing this review on my iPhone during my 46th wedding anniversary in Kauai… relaxing by the pool —
I’m a little emotional and feeling sensitive at the moment —
Most ….
…..so very thankful for my own marriage—my husband…
We both did our best as parents — it wasn’t enough - but we did our best. We would never abandoned our kids at any age — we are always open to them …in any way we can serve …
But … truthfully … looking back we didn’t come from the ‘right stuff’ as orphan-type latchkey kids.
I verbally yelled at Katy - we fought - but I was the parent — I should have known better.
I’m at least comforted she’s successful- independent-incredibly gifted and talented and living alive she was born to live.
I’m sorry though — forever sorry!
Doesn’t change a thing —
But this book made a great difference to be —
I hope others love it half as much as me.
I hope my friends read it. I hope to have those meaningful discussions with others from it.

Last — I can’t thank Andrew Porter enough — I’m a diehard fan of your work — and to Knopf publishing - I love you guys too!
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!!!

Wow - the writing in this book blew me away! This is a story I will never forget. It read more like a memoir than a novel. A truly unique storyline between father and son that’s unlike anything you’ve read before. 5/5 stars. I’ll definitely be checking out previous work by this author.

P.S. As a big Fleetwood Mac fan, the book’s Stevie Nicks references never got old :)

I rarely read books written from a man's perspective so this was an interesting title to get lost in. I liked Porter's telling of the relationship between the main character and his father. The book unfolds at a good pace. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.