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 ordinary suburban life (a loveless marriage, two unlikeable, self-centered children - an adult son and teenage daughter - a domineering father-in-law living with them and a superficial social circle) is at odds with a vivid imagination fueled by his reading.