His humdrum, suburban life (a loveless marriage, two charmless, selfish children - an adult son and teenage daughter - an obnoxious father-in-law living with them and a vapid social life) is at odds with an imagined fantasy existence, inspired by his reading.
His mundane, suburban existence (a loveless marriage, two unpleasant, selfish children - an adult son and teenage daughter - a domineering father-in-law living with them and a shallow social life) is at odds with a fantastical dream world, inspired by his reading.