"Imagining Argentina" is a novel written by Lawrence Thornton and published in 1987. The book is a work of historical fiction set during the Argentine Dirty War, a period of state terrorism and human rights abuses in Argentina that lasted from 1976 to 1983.
The protagonist of the story is Carlos Rueda, a theater director and his wife, Cecilia, who is a journalist. The couple's lives are disrupted when their daughter, Teresa, and her boyfriend are abducted by the government's security forces. Carlos possesses a unique ability—he can envision the fates and experiences of the "disappeared" individuals.
Driven by his imagination and deep love for his daughter, Carlos embarks on a quest to find her and the other missing people. As he searches for the truth and battles against the oppressive regime, he encounters various characters who have also been affected by the regime's actions.
Throughout the novel, Lawrence Thornton explores themes of memory, imagination, and resistance in the face of oppression. Carlos's ability to "imagine" the fates of the disappeared becomes a metaphor for the power of art and the human spirit to confront and overcome injustice.
"Imagining Argentina" is a poignant and emotionally charged novel that sheds light on the human rights violations committed during the Dirty War. Lawrence Thornton's work brings attention to the atrocities of the period and explores the resilience and determination of individuals who fought for justice and truth.
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