Memoirs Of An Imaginary Friend

Memoirs of an Imaginary Friend - IMDb

Heaven is only supposed to be for people who God made, and God didn't make me. And some people call this book, or the writing of this book, insipid and facile? Yeah, I'll get to that later. Memoirs of an Imaginary Friend by Matthew Dicks is quite an ambitious novel. My initial first thought? How the author was going to differentiate between "imaginary friends" and "ghosts".

After all, on the surface they do have some similarities But I soon discovered I had nothing to fear. In fact, the difference between ghosts and imaginary friends does get addressed in the book by Budo himself. He says, "Ghosts were alive once. Imaginary friends are never alive in the real world. Perhaps the easiest way to conquer these fears is to share the burden with someone and what better way to do that then to create an imaginary friend.

In Matthew Dicks' world, these "friends" can come in many different shapes and sizes and can disappear as quickly as they are imagined. That is why Budo is so very special. Not only does he look like a real human but he is over 5 years old which is unheard of in the world of imaginary friends. This is all thanks to Max, the 8 year old boy who created him. As the synopsis states above, Max is different then many of the children he goes to school with.

While it is never stated what Max's diagnosis is, it doesn't take a genius to figure out that he has a form of autism or Aspergers Syndrome. While this causes turmoil in the lives of his parents, teachers, and even some of his classmates, Budo is the only one who seems to accept and understand Max for who he is. In fact, I originally thought that the book's agenda was to find out what's "wrong"with Max.

I couldn't have been more wrong. This is Budo's story and it is told in his perspective. And while he loves Max and knows deep down that Max being "different" is the reason he has been alive for so long, he still fears the day when Max will stop believing in him. Because when that happens, Budo will start to fade away like so many imaginary friends have done before him.

The whole concept of a child's imagination reminds me of the Romantic poets, most specifically William Wordsworth. He believed that children were the closest to God because the depths of their imagination and innocence hadn't been tarnished by the realities of adulthood. We see the beginning stages of this theory in Memoirs of an Imaginary Friend. The reason many of the imaginary friends Budo knows disappear before him is because the children that created them are growing up, therefore, they are no longer needed.

While Max is very intelligent, he also is introverted and struggles with social skills. This is why Budo is needed, to help Max with fending off bullies like Tommy Swinden, or to stand guard in the bathroom while Max makes a "bonus poop" as Budo likes to call them.

Yes, I did say "bonus poop". Did I forget to mention this book is also hilarious?? Now to clear up some things. First and foremost, some people have been confused as to the genre and reading level this book should fall under. Some reviewers have given Memoirs of an Imaginary Friend a 2 star rating because they felt it "struggles to find an audience". I would go so far as to say that mature young adults would enjoy this novel as well.

I'm not sure why people automatically assume that if a child is the narrator or if the language is simple then it is considered a young adult novel. Speaking of "simple", let's talk about the writing style of this book. Some have complained that the story and writing is "babyish", "insipid", and "facile". What do they expect, Budo to start talking in flowery Shakespearean prose???

If anything, I think Matthew Dicks did an amazing job creating Budo's voice and making it realistic. And I am confused as to how someone could think the story is shallow or that the author ignores the complexities of the issues. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but I wonder if they realize what the "issues" of the story actually are.

I think people are going into this book thinking it is going to be all about Max and his "condition" and how the people around him deal with it or try to "fix" him. Budo is the narrator and this is about his journey as an imaginary friend, his fears as to where "friends" like him go when they fade away. I will say I agree that some of what Budo says is repetitive and somewhere in the middle, the story does lose a little steam. But as you can see by my rating, it didn't bother me enough to take away a whole star. The ending makes up for the little dry spell and somehow the repetitiveness fits, probably because it is never far from my mind that Budo was thought up by an 8 year old boy with limited social skills.

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But some of the things Budo ponders are questions that sometimes kids ask that we as adults don't have the patience to answer. It reminds me that sometimes the most honest answers come from small children because their responses aren't clouded with the complexities we are used to as grown-ups. The last thing I want to point out is my love for Oswald, the only imaginary friend that Budo fears. Without spoiling anything, Budo must find the courage to go to Oswald in order to help Max.

Remember when Patrick Swayze sees the ghost on the train that can actually touch and move things? Well that ghost reminds me of Oswald, and Budo in that moment reminds me of Patrick Swayze. Pretty interesting parallel and I have to wonder if the author was or is aware of it!

Memoirs of an Imaginary Friend is a rare breed of novel that can affect a person on so many different levels. Read it if you want to laugh. Read it if you want to be moved to tears. Read it if you want something to think about long after the last page has been read. Just remember to go into this story with an open mind, remember that this is Budo's story, not Max's, and this is not a doctor's manual on autism or Aspergers.

This is a great book for teachers that will prompt many discussions with your students. This is a great book if you are a parent with small children or if you vaguely remember your very own imaginary friend. Whatever the case may be, Memoirs of an Imaginary Friend is a book with heart, and Budo is one character that I will never forget. Well done, Matthew Dicks. Mia The Muses Circle However, I really didn't like it. I can't put my finger on what it is exactly, but I just didn't get sucked into the story at all. I didn't feel involved with any of the characters, I didn't like the writing style it reminded me a lot of Room , a book I started but didn't finish because of exactly this reason and the plot was borderline ridiculous.

Not to mention all the talk of death and disappearing and life being meaningless was incredibly depressing. Admitted, this changed at the very end, but that didn't take away from the fact that the overwhelming majority of the book is just plain bleak. This is okay if we're talking about, say, Dickens, but most other authors can't pull this off.

Also, I felt like the author was trying to subtly weave wisdom and life lessons into the story, but it was put on so thick , it was incredibly annoying and sometimes felt almost like an insult to my intelligence. View all 3 comments. This book is one of the biggest surprises for me of the year. I was blown away by how emotional and heart-wrenching this book was at times.

That might be because of what an awesome job the narrator, Matthew Brown, did with the audiobook. The story was absolutely fantastic, but Mr. Brown brought Budo to life just as surely as Max Delaney did. In Memoirs of an Imaginary Friend when a child creates an imaginary friend they are real. Only, no one but the child that created him and other imaginary fr This book is one of the biggest surprises for me of the year.

Only, no one but the child that created him and other imaginary friends can hear or see him. The imaginary friends spend their lives existing at the whim of the child until that child no longer needs it, then it will cease to exist. Max Delaney needs Budo because he's got problems. Those problems are never specified, but adults might recognize it as being something like autism.

Max and Budo have enough troubles to deal with until something completely unexpected and unbelievable happens. Max and Budo will have to rely on each other like never before to make it though. I highly recommend this book and especially the audiobook to everybody. It's seriously an amazing story and one you won't soon forget. It'll be a book club hit I'm sure! I had several imaginary friends, one was a girl named Elizabeth, one was a girl named Jessica, one was a dog named Bonzo.

Bonzo was the best. Jessica was a bit mean, Elizabeth a bit pasty. Sorry, Elizabeth, you did stick around for quite a while, and I don't want you to feel unappreciated. But you were a little bit pasty, in hindsight. Bonzo, on the other hand, was solid and loyal and I don't know how long these friends stuck around for, but the times spent with th I had several imaginary friends, one was a girl named Elizabeth, one was a girl named Jessica, one was a dog named Bonzo. I don't know how long these friends stuck around for, but the times spent with them are still vivid and lasting memories.

Although I didn't love this book, didn't love the plot and detest frightful nightmarish ideas, I did find value in the reconnection to childhood imagination and am happy to have been reuinited with Elizabeth, Jessica, and especially Bonzo. Jun 18, Caleb Wilson rated it it was amazing. It proved impossible for me to set it down once I reached the halfway mark. The ending made me perform an imaginary fist pump of triumph. Jan 16, Lilyan Little Yams rated it it was amazing Shelves: I've written down so many quotes from the story, it fills up 10 pages in my notebook.

And I have small hand writing. It wasn't the hysterical kind of cry. It was the type of cry were it's a steady stream of tears, just continuously flowing down your face, with no way to stop it. I can honestly say, this book this probably the book that has impacted my life the most. I didn't want this to end. But, everything must eventually come to an end. His name is Budo and his human friend is Max. Max is different, he doesn't have many friends, he hates it when people touch him, he has strange peeves, like he can only where seven articles of clothing at once, he gets stuck sometimes, and he in incredibly smart.

At school he has a couple of different teachers. Mrs Gosk, which Max and Budo both love, and Mrs. Patterson, a teacher who Budo doesn't trust and Max feels uncomfortable around.

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Anyway, at home his mother keeps trying to change him, his father keep trying to pretend nothing is wrong. But they truly do love each other, they just don't know how to get Max involved in any family activities. Max's dad throws the ball to Max, and Max let's it hit the ground and roll, and when it stops moving, he picks it up and tries to throw it back. If Max;s dad wants the ball to reach him, why doesn't he just stand closer? Actually the whole book really got to me.

Budo is probably the oldest living imaginary friend ever. After a period of time imaginary friends fade away, sometimes because their human friends grew up and stopped need someone to reply on, or simply because they forget about them. But budo has lived for six years. Budo was imagined really smart, he understands things even better than Max can sometimes. He helps Max whenever he needs help and Max listens to Budo. Max just freezes, freezes like a popsicle. There are just too many things for Max to think about when choosing" There are other imaginary friends that play a huge part in the story.

And they are equally amazing. Budo is extremely intuitive but explains things in such a simple way, it's beautiful. I exactly tell you anymore without spoilers, but I can tell you that you won't regret reading this book. Even if you end up hating it, you will learn something. I can also tell you to prepare to cry your heart out. Don't hold back the tears -unedited- i will later Nov 28, Larry H rated it it was amazing. Budo is an imaginary friend. The boy who imagined him, eight-year-old Max Delaney, had a vivid imagination, so Budo looks much more real than most imaginary friends.

He can pass through doors, and travel anywhere he wants to go, but he doesn't ever sleep, and he can't pick things up, because Max didn't imagine Budo doing those things. I spend most of my time in the kid world with Max, but I also spend a l Budo is an imaginary friend.

I spend most of my time in the kid world with Max, but I also spend a lot of time with adults like Max's parents and teachers Max likes his routine, he likes his toys, he loves his teacher, Mrs. Gosk, and storytime, and he hates change. Change makes him "stuck. More than anything, Budo wants Max to always need and believe in him, because Budo has seen what happens to other imaginary friends when their real friends stop believing in them—they stop existing. Patterson, the woman not a teacher who sometimes helps Max at the Learning Center at school, kidnaps Max because she believes she could do a better job raising him, Budo doesn't know how to help.

How can he save Max when he can't be heard by humans, or move things? He enlists the help of other imaginary friends to try and save Max, but he realizes that in order to save Max he might have to risk his own existence. So many times reading this book, I couldn't believe Matthew Dicks' creativity. This is a book narrated entirely by a child's imaginary friend. The world that Dicks has created is so unique and well-developed, and while I didn't have an imaginary friend growing up, I almost would like one know if he could be like Budo. While he understands the world around him a little better than Max does, he still has a somewhat limited base of knowledge.

His narrative voice is both wise and child-like, and it made the book so tremendously enjoyable and poignant. I was a little skeptical when I heard about the concept of this book, but I was hooked from the very first page. These characters are wonderful ones you'll want to take into your heart, and although you probably will have an idea of how the story will resolve, the way it unfolds is just wonderful. This is a great book even if you're not a kid at heart, but if you are, I hope you love it as much as I did.

View all 6 comments. This book is about an boy who has autism and his imaginary friend. In the beginning of the book the author prefices it by saying that Budo the imaginary friend knows much more than Max and has more intelligence. I would have thought that the author took that literary license to write in a more adult fashion. I actually looked up the book on the internet to see if it was meant for children to read. The book was written in a childish tone and flowed terribly in the beginning. I almost didn't contin This book is about an boy who has autism and his imaginary friend.

I almost didn't continue reading it. Halfway through the pace it picked up a little. The narrative voice of a childlike imaginary friend however did get irritating. At times I almost felt as though I was reading a childs book report who was just trying to fill some pages to get a good grade. As other readers have mentioned before the pooping references were really getting old and tired.

Most readers will like the preface of the book but I am not sure if a few will put it down because of the narrative tone that the author has chosen to use. Nothing terrible but nothing great either.

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An easy read, unfortunately sometimes too easy. Oct 31, Dianne rated it really liked it Shelves: Budo is the narrator of this book. He is the imaginary friend of Max, a eight year old autistic boy who "imagined" Budo 5 years earlier. Budo watches over Max but being imaginary, cannot make his presence felt in the real world. This becomes a problem when Max is in real danger and Budo must find a way to help his friend.

Dicks creates a well-imagined pardon the pun world for imaginary friends, who come in all forms and shapes and degrees of complexity. Very poignant and thoughtful, I can't ima Budo is the narrator of this book. Very poignant and thoughtful, I can't imagine anyone not liking this book. It was also very suspenseful - I couldn't put it down until I found out what happened to Max and Budo.

En realidad le doy un 3,5. Apr 06, Charbel rated it it was amazing Shelves: Max has Aspergers, or at leat some mild form of autism; and no one really understands him as well as Budo. Budo is also special because, as far as imaginary friends go, Budo looks pretty human, not to mention that he's also been alive for 6 years, which among his own kind is quite extraordinary. And even though Budo has been around for a long time, Max needs him now more than ever. Despite the fact that the plot is predictable, the premise that of an imag The plot: Despite the fact that the plot is predictable, the premise that of an imaginary friend in such a serious predicament is original enough to still make this a page turner.

The writing is simple, and at times childish; and that is exactly what makes it brilliant. The story is told through the eyes of a small boy's imaginary friend after all. And despite the style's simplicity, it is nonetheless engaging. The best aspects of the novel: The emotional content of the novel is what makes it such a special read. I didn't cry at least not on the outside , but I was still so moved that by the last page I was nothing more than a giant sentimental blob. The second best aspect of the novel is the abundance of clever details that describe the interactions of imaginary friends with the real world.

Also the personalities and traits of the different imaginary friends were so vibrant that you can't help but appreciate the effort Dicks has put into creating this world. All the different elements of the novel work together so well that the outcome is a beautiful and touching story of friendship and courage. I highly recommend it. Muy original, entretenido e impresionante. Es una historia muy tierna. Apr 17, Kwoomac rated it really liked it Shelves: This book was nothing like author Matthew Dicks' previous novels. Ok, maybe not completely true.

The protagonist is not a quirky adult with OCD, but an eight-year-old boy with autistic features. Actually, he's not the main protag, his imaginary friend is. This is a truly poignant tale told through the eyes of Budo, the imaginary friend of Max Delaney. According to Budo, imaginary friends are real. It was a fun concept. Budo can go places without Max, and often wanders off if he's bored. He has fr This book was nothing like author Matthew Dicks' previous novels.

He has friendships with other imaginary friends. These friendships were a little bit heart breaking because imaginary friends disappear when their real-life counterpart stops believing or no longer needs them or dies. The book addresses plenty of issues, death definitely being one of them. Max attends a regular school, mainstreamed but leaving the class for special services. He's bullied by a fifth grader.

Budo makes an interesting argument for how he thinks Max should be treated. He talks about all of the adults trying to get Max to interact with his peers more. Budo wonders why, since when Max is left alone to play with his Legos or read history books, he's perfectly happy. What he doesn't enjoy is the forced relationships with others which often send Max into a panic state. Budo thinks adults do this to make themselves happy, not really caring what makes Max happy.

Wow, this floored me as I have been one of those adults trying to get kids on the spectrum to interact more with their peers. I think this book made me feel like I knew Dicks a little better, as he is an elementary school teacher and he spends a lot of time talking about what makes a good teacher. The story is about facing one's fears. Can Max deal with the many things that paralyze him on a daily basis to get himself out of a dangerous situation? I did let it go since it's just a story. And what the heck, I was perfectly fine with the imaginary friend.

This book was perfect. Have you ever read something that ended so beautifully, incorporating even the most minor plot points in its resolution, that you couldn't help but cry as you reached the final page? It's a rare experience, but an amazing one. Memoirs of an Imaginary Friend has earned its place among my favorites, along with a 5-star rating from this stingy reviewer. Written in the simple and repetitive voice of Budo, the imaginary friend of an 8-year-old with Asberger's, this novel sucks y This book was perfect.

Written in the simple and repetitive voice of Budo, the imaginary friend of an 8-year-old with Asberger's, this novel sucks you in immediately. You grow to care about Budo and his friend Max in a way that extends beyond a basic reading experience. The mythology the author has created for Imaginary Friends is fascinating and well thought out, and his understanding of little boys like Max is also incredible.



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Meanwhile, Budo's biggest fear is that he will fade away into nothingness like all imaginary friends eventually do when their people grow up and stop believing in them. Although the ending is one you see coming right from the very beginning, this prescience somehow only serves to make it that much more powerful. I can't recommend this book enough. Prepare to cry your eyes out, especially if you are a parent. It's hard not to identify with this special "imaginary" friend and the love he has for the boy who created him.

Jun 02, Deb rated it it was amazing. Could not put this book down once I started it. So uniquely and beautifully written! A story of friendship and finding strength. I have not hidden any parts of this review, and although I only write in general terms about the book's ending, this might constitute a spoiler for some. Budo is Max's creation, and exists only as long as Max believes in him. Although the idea of telling a story from the perspective of an imaginary friend is cute and refreshing, I am sad to say that I tired o Spoiler alert: Although the idea of telling a story from the perspective of an imaginary friend is cute and refreshing, I am sad to say that I tired of this book well before the end.

As a character, Budo is a weird mix of child and adult. His language is very childlike and simple, which makes the book a quick read. But Budo is also wise beyond his years, and the book is filled to the brim with something I, for the lack of a better term but I'm sure one exists , will call "child-wisdom". When a child's simple, naive view of the world results in deep, philosophical thoughts about life, love, death, friendship, loyalty and so on.

Memoirs of an Imaginary Friend by Matthew Green – review

And this worked well for a while, but there was just too much of it. I liked how Budo explained about the life of an imaginary friend. I liked his conversations with other imaginary friends. I highly recommend giving this book a try. Reminiscent of T he Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time , this is a heart-warming story with amazing characters, both real and imaginary…. He is touchingly empathetic, while aware that imaginary friends only survive as long as they are needed. He has written a book which requires an adult intellect, and adult emotions, to navigate despite presenting it entirely from the perspective of the child within us all.

It is a tense psychological thriller, and in parts, it is an absolute page-turner. And he has penned a warm and moving story about life, death, love, loyalty and destiny…. Memoirs of an Imaginary Friend will leave you sadder, happier and itching to talk to someone about the ingenious, the incredible, the invisible Budo. A unique and beautiful book.

Memoirs of an Imaginary Friend

In this gorgeously descriptive story, Matthew Green explores the complex thing of being human…. This book is unlike any I have ever read: This is a charming, chilling, warming boo— the complete package. It had me totally hooked from the first 20 pages and I stayed up especially late just to finish it last night! It was one of those books that I just couldn't put down and I constantly found myself saying 'Just one more chapter'. It put me in mind of Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time , but at the same time was so fresh to have something written from such an unusual point of view.

If only we could all have had an imaginary friend like Budo!!! His life follows a carefully planned routine of school, meals, and play. Memoirs… is funny, rich in character, moving, and incredibly engaging. It brilliantly evokes the wild imagination of childhood, yet was able to leave me feeling bereft at the realization that we have probably all had a Teeny or a Mr Finger in our lives, yet lose that wonderful ability as we grow. Hachette Australia created t-shirts and ran a contest for booksellers, asking them to send in their best photos.

See the attached photo sheet. We truly believe in this novel…. We want to convert Budo into our big shot next year.