Matthew Dicks
321 pages
Hard copy edition
From the Publisher:
Imaginary friend Budo narrates this heartwarming story of love, loyalty, and the power of the imagination—the perfect read for anyone who has ever had a friend . . . real or otherwise
Budo is lucky as imaginary friends go. He’s been alive for more than five years, which is positively ancient in the world of imaginary friends. But Budo feels his age, and thinks constantly of the day when eight-year-old Max Delaney will stop believing in him. When that happens, Budo will disappear.
Max is different from other children. Some people say that he has Asperger’s Syndrome, but most just say he’s “on the spectrum.” None of this matters to Budo, who loves Max and is charged with protecting him from the class bully, from awkward situations in the cafeteria, and even in the bathroom stalls. But he can’t protect Max from Mrs. Patterson, the woman who works with Max in the Learning Center and who believes that she alone is qualified to care for this young boy.
When Mrs. Patterson does the unthinkable and kidnaps Max, it is up to Budo and a team of imaginary friends to save him—and Budo must ultimately decide which is more important: Max’s happiness or Budo’s very existence.
Narrated by Budo, a character with a unique ability to have a foot in many worlds—imaginary, real, child, and adult— Memoirs of an Imaginary Friend touches on the truths of life, love, and friendship as it races to a heartwarming . . . and heartbreaking conclusion.
Review:
While running the other weekend my sister was telling me a little bit about a book she read in her book club recently. It sounded interesting, so after our run she let me borrow her copy. I really wasn’t sure what to expect out of this book. I wasn’t sure I would really like it, but I looked it up on Goodreads and it had such good reviews, (like really great, amazing reviews) so I thought I would give it a try. I started it one night when I was already tired, and that was such a mistake, I was so tired, but I just didn’t want to put it down.
It’s a hard book to describe without giving everything away or sounding silly. It’s an adult novel about imaginary friends. And it is good.
I really thought it was interesting reading from the imaginary friends point of view. I loved this. I loved the other imaginary friends. Budo is the imaginary friend to a boy who has Asperger’s Syndrome, although I don’t believe it ever says that specifically in the book. The book made me wonder what parents of children with Asperger’s would think of this book. I think they would enjoy it, or at least find it really interesting. Parts of this book really made me laugh out loud. And at the same time there were parts that really made me so sad. There is so much dept to this book, even though it is about children and imaginary friends!
It reminded me of Wonder as I read it, I think if you liked Wonder, you would enjoy this book….however, this is not a middle reader. Not at all. I don’t think I would read this to my kids or even let them read this yet. There is some strong language, so if you are sensitive to that, know there is some involved. (not too much, but it’s there). But unlike Wonder, the subjects and plots are deep and much more appropriate for adults. Maybe a little too involved and real for kids to read. I also think if you enjoy novels by Kate Morton, or Liane Moriarty you should check out this book.
I am looking forward to reading more books by Matthew Dicks.
