A Son Searches for Answers About His Father’s Mysterious Disappearance in ‘The Imagined Life’
Much of the novel takes place in 1984, and the author serves up plenty of 1970s/1980s cultural name-checking to anchor us in time and place. There’s David Bowie, Natalie Wood, Love Boat, Hogan’s Heroes, and especially Fleetwood Mac and their album 'Rumors.' Steven’s memories of that time lend resonance to his present-day goal—finding out why his father disappeared from the family.