rebleejen's review
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
bjr2022's review against another edition
4.0
Oh how I wish Alison Lurie were my lifelong friend and I could sit with her and trade stories of being in and observing communities—their bizarre dynamics, the seduction of people by charismatic leaders, the pull to group-think and group-talk, and how, even as a dedicated observer, you cannot escape being a component of what is happening.
In Imaginary Friends, two social scientists infiltrate a spiritual cult in order to study these things. The narrative, written in first person by the assistant sociologist, Roger, records everything in accordance with study methods. But somehow Lurie manages to write fantastic dialogue and build to absurd, laugh-out-loud funny scenes.
I had no idea where this story was going, and I’m in awe of where it went and Lurie’s ability to not only understand the psychological twists and turns of people negotiating sane and insane relationships, but articulate them.
In Imaginary Friends, two social scientists infiltrate a spiritual cult in order to study these things. The narrative, written in first person by the assistant sociologist, Roger, records everything in accordance with study methods. But somehow Lurie manages to write fantastic dialogue and build to absurd, laugh-out-loud funny scenes.
I had no idea where this story was going, and I’m in awe of where it went and Lurie’s ability to not only understand the psychological twists and turns of people negotiating sane and insane relationships, but articulate them.
mizannie's review against another edition
5.0
Just as sharp, quirky and funny as I remember it. Popsugar 2019 prompt “reread of a favorite book.”
erat's review
adventurous
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
nikkibd4033's review
emotional
relaxing
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
lnatal's review
4.0
From BBC Radio 4 - 15 minute drama:
Alison Lurie's comic novel of academia and alien gurus, dramatised by Melissa Murray.
New York in 1968, and naive young sociology graduate, Roger Zimmern, has just got his first job at a university.
1/10: Newly graduated sociologist Roger Zimmern is delighted to be asked work with his academic hero Tom McCann. They are to investigate the Truth Seekers, a small cult group who believe they are receiving spiritual guidance from the planet Varna.
2/10: Young sociologist Roger Zimmern has made contact with the small cult known as the Truth Seekers. But are they crazy enough for a ground breaking sociological study?
3/10: Sociologists Roger Zimmern and his boss, Tom McCann, have managed to infiltrate the small cult of the Truth Seekers. But now their reasons for being there are about to be exposed.
4/10: Verena, leader of the Truth Seekers, seems to have lost her way. Her aunt Elsie has persuaded professor Tom McCann to speak to her. But McCann has an agenda of his own.
5/10: Sociologist Tom McCann is behaving increasingly strangely, much to the frustration of his young assistant Roger. But they're about to hear some news that will make things a great deal stranger.
6/10: Roger has gone to see Verena, worried that Tom McCann has influenced the announcement that the Varnians are about to visit earth.
7/10: It's the moment the Truth Seekers have been waiting for. Their spiritual guides from the planet Varna are about to arrive.
8/10: Things have taken a bizarre turn, as sociologist Tom McCann has claimed he has been possessed by the spirit of the alien guru, Ro of Varna,
9/10: Following an argument during which a shot was fired, Tom McCann and his fellow Truth Seekers have come to the attention of the local police.
10/10: Roger, on his way to visit Tom McCann in hospital, has stopped off to visit Elsie, where he has heard some terrible news.
Roger ... Jonathan Forbes
McCann ... Nathan Osgood
Elsie ... Barbara Barnes
Verena ... Alex Tregear
Bob ... Simon Bubb
Directed by Marc Beeby
1968. New York State. Newly graduated sociologist Roger Zimmern is delighted to be asked work with his academic hero Tom McCann. They are to investigate the Truth Seekers, a small cult group who believe they are receiving spiritual guidance from the planet Varna. The group is run by middle-aged Elsie and her beautiful niece, Verena. Under cover, the two academics join the Truth Seekers. But things quickly begin to go wrong. Roger's objectivity is tested when he begins to fall in love with Verena. And what is happening to Tom McCann? Why is he behaving so strangely? Poor Roger, desperate to be a success, desperate to be noticed, doesn't know who to trust..
Imaginary Friends is a devastatingly funny look at the foibles of modern times. It's driven by a story that works brilliantly on a number of levels - in part a sharp social satire of the academic profession, in part a witty exploration of the wilder reaches of ' spirituality'. It is also a tender - if slightly skewed - love story, and a touching take on a young man's coming of age.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b012fbvp
Alison Lurie's comic novel of academia and alien gurus, dramatised by Melissa Murray.
New York in 1968, and naive young sociology graduate, Roger Zimmern, has just got his first job at a university.
1/10: Newly graduated sociologist Roger Zimmern is delighted to be asked work with his academic hero Tom McCann. They are to investigate the Truth Seekers, a small cult group who believe they are receiving spiritual guidance from the planet Varna.
2/10: Young sociologist Roger Zimmern has made contact with the small cult known as the Truth Seekers. But are they crazy enough for a ground breaking sociological study?
3/10: Sociologists Roger Zimmern and his boss, Tom McCann, have managed to infiltrate the small cult of the Truth Seekers. But now their reasons for being there are about to be exposed.
4/10: Verena, leader of the Truth Seekers, seems to have lost her way. Her aunt Elsie has persuaded professor Tom McCann to speak to her. But McCann has an agenda of his own.
5/10: Sociologist Tom McCann is behaving increasingly strangely, much to the frustration of his young assistant Roger. But they're about to hear some news that will make things a great deal stranger.
6/10: Roger has gone to see Verena, worried that Tom McCann has influenced the announcement that the Varnians are about to visit earth.
7/10: It's the moment the Truth Seekers have been waiting for. Their spiritual guides from the planet Varna are about to arrive.
8/10: Things have taken a bizarre turn, as sociologist Tom McCann has claimed he has been possessed by the spirit of the alien guru, Ro of Varna,
9/10: Following an argument during which a shot was fired, Tom McCann and his fellow Truth Seekers have come to the attention of the local police.
10/10: Roger, on his way to visit Tom McCann in hospital, has stopped off to visit Elsie, where he has heard some terrible news.
Roger ... Jonathan Forbes
McCann ... Nathan Osgood
Elsie ... Barbara Barnes
Verena ... Alex Tregear
Bob ... Simon Bubb
Directed by Marc Beeby
1968. New York State. Newly graduated sociologist Roger Zimmern is delighted to be asked work with his academic hero Tom McCann. They are to investigate the Truth Seekers, a small cult group who believe they are receiving spiritual guidance from the planet Varna. The group is run by middle-aged Elsie and her beautiful niece, Verena. Under cover, the two academics join the Truth Seekers. But things quickly begin to go wrong. Roger's objectivity is tested when he begins to fall in love with Verena. And what is happening to Tom McCann? Why is he behaving so strangely? Poor Roger, desperate to be a success, desperate to be noticed, doesn't know who to trust..
Imaginary Friends is a devastatingly funny look at the foibles of modern times. It's driven by a story that works brilliantly on a number of levels - in part a sharp social satire of the academic profession, in part a witty exploration of the wilder reaches of ' spirituality'. It is also a tender - if slightly skewed - love story, and a touching take on a young man's coming of age.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b012fbvp
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