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Title: Imaginary Friends

Subtitle: A Novel

Author: Alison Lurie

Narrator: Christopher Kipiniak

Format: Unabridged

Length: 10 hrs and 28 mins

Language: English

Release date: 01-28-15

Publisher: Audible Studios

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary

Publisher's Summary:

Tom McCann, a professor of sociology, and his young assistant, Roger, infiltrate a religious cult group based in New York State, deciding it will make excellent study material. But they find it hard to maintain their deception, especially as Verena, the cult's leader, is an attractive woman.

Members Reviews:

Intriguing novel for academic humanities enthusiasts

I really enjoyed this work. Definitely light enough to take in after a day's work or before falling asleep, but far from insulting. In fact, I found my curiosity tickled. I have a bachelor's degree in psychology and have read a number of novels involving people with a variety of mental conditions and sociological situations but I've personally held a certain curiosity for studying psychologists and sociologists themselves.

There is something unique about this science because we are what we are studying, and no amount of distinguishing or distancing ourselves or even knowledge about ourselves and others can change or erase our own vulnerability and susceptibilities to different behavioral and mental stumbling blocks. It's both a blessing and a curse in one sense because human beings studying human beings offers unique limitations but it also provides unique insights.

This is a book that plays with that balance of limitations and insights as professionals in the field. Two professors of the sociology field ask the question what's going on with a group of people but also how that behavior comes to be. They do so with a profound emphasis on the professional gold standard of objective observation. As we get to know them and the people they're observing however, one starts to sift through the findings and is forced to figure out what's the gold and what's the fool's gold. What starts out as a simple question of results and passive, objective observation turns into a web of wrestling with responsibility, influence, and what ifs.

This took me back

I enjoyed this novel a lot. It reminded me of my undergraduate days, about the time the novel was first published. I took several courses in the social sciences, and was particularly interested in the origins of organized religions. A couple of the characters seemed like people I knew.

Not a great Lurie, but interesting

Not one of Lurie's great books but a good book. Her third book, I believe, so an interesting look at how her writing changed over the years. Also an interesting view of the mid 1960s from an excellent observer with a very sharp wit. If you like Lurie you will probably like this. Otherwise, not.

Three Stars

fine older book. Quick shipping

Funny, Original, Unexpected and Enduring

I'm reading this novel for the 2nd time.It was first published in 1967 and is a gem. Read it. You'll thank me.