SUSAN S. (susieqmillsacoustics) -
Helpful Score: 4
I love, love, love this book! I wasn't sure in the first couple of chapters, I thought it might be a little too over the top silly, but before long, I was hooked. It is clever and wonderful! Told from Budo's perspective as he observes his human friend, Max, and his family. Also some of the other people he visits when Max is sleeping (because he never sleeps) and the other imaginary friends he encounters along the way. There is suspense, intrigue, heartwarming moments, and excitement in Budo's many adventures. I found some parts to be hilarious with all the different types of imaginary friends as they are always only what their humans imagine them to be! Such a fun read!
Helpful Score: 2
Readers of Memoirs of an Imaginary Friend slot it into the following categories: Fiction, Fantasy, Contemporary, Young Adult, Adult, Adult Fiction, and Magical Realism. The uncertainty of what this book is might be one of the reasons why I struggled to love this book, its narrator, its plot, and its characters. I questioned several times whether I was truly the intended audience for this book. With that said, I read the book quickly. As I finished, though, I imagined that the only folks I would likely recommend this book to would be middle school readers or parents looking for a book to read to their elementary school child. When I discovered that the author was, in fact, a fifth grade teacher, it made perfect sense to me. Although I know many adults have read this book, even as part of a book club, the book is written (intentionally) in short, choppy sentences from the unique view point of an imaginary friend of a third grader. Kudos to Matthew Dicks for the creation of the creative narrator! But the straddling between reality and fantasy was a tough sell for me - I would have been a much happier reader if Oswald had not intervened in the plot line. I wanted to see just Budo and Max figure this problem out by themselves. In the end, this book left me in the middle of the road.
Helpful Score: 2
This my second read of this incredible book. The author's talent and imagination bring a child named Max right into our hearts. Told by his imaginary friend, Budo, we step inside Max's life, see his parents frustration about their unusual child, view how teachers work with him, and observe how other children react to someone so different from them.
Some readers say Max is autistic and I think that may be so. Certainly, he dislikes being touched, prefers being alone, and becomes deeply involved in whatever interests him. He has acquaintances but no real friends. He loves his teacher, Mrs. Gosk, who revels in teaching, reads wonderful stories and provides a firm, structured environment. He tolerates others in the school.
When Max has troubles it is Budo who helps him rise above them and deal with the consequences. However, one day Max disappears from school, No one can find him. Once again it is Budo who discovers who took Max away but since he can communicate only with other imaginary friends and Max, he has no idea how to help. The story spins on to an interesting conclusion.
The author based Budo on a childhood imaginary friend of his own. The tale no doubt reflects some of his own experiences. It's an outstanding read and I'm glad I read it again. This book is well worth reading.
Some readers say Max is autistic and I think that may be so. Certainly, he dislikes being touched, prefers being alone, and becomes deeply involved in whatever interests him. He has acquaintances but no real friends. He loves his teacher, Mrs. Gosk, who revels in teaching, reads wonderful stories and provides a firm, structured environment. He tolerates others in the school.
When Max has troubles it is Budo who helps him rise above them and deal with the consequences. However, one day Max disappears from school, No one can find him. Once again it is Budo who discovers who took Max away but since he can communicate only with other imaginary friends and Max, he has no idea how to help. The story spins on to an interesting conclusion.
The author based Budo on a childhood imaginary friend of his own. The tale no doubt reflects some of his own experiences. It's an outstanding read and I'm glad I read it again. This book is well worth reading.
LOVED this book! Totally original premise. A young autistic boy's imaginary friend narrarates the story and makes you want to believe in imaginary friends and want one just like Budo!
Review first published on my blog: http://memoriesfrombooks.blogspot.com/2013/02/memoirs-of-imaginary-friend.html
Max is a little boy that people say is a little different. Budo is Max's imaginary friend, and this is Budo's story. It is a story about unconditional love. Budo exists only because Max imagined him and continues to exist as long as Max believes in him. As such, Max is Budo's entire world, and Max's safety and happiness is Budo's primary concern.
One day, the unthinkable happens. Max is in trouble - real, life-altering trouble - and it is up to Budo to save him. The question is how far will Budo go and what will the consequences be for him.
I loved the perspective of this book, and the fact that an imaginary friend tells a story about real love. The book is written as a first person narrative in Budo's voice. This is the book's strength and its weakness.
Budo's voice brings a unique angle to this story. Through his voice, we feel the love and the conflict and the difficult choices. However, because Max is a child and Budo is the creation of a child's imagination, he has a child-like voice. This quality comes through clearly in the writing. It is entirely appropriate for the book, but sometimes difficult to read.
An intriguing premise. An interesting story. A somewhat challenging read. My overriding thought - I want a real friend like Budo!
Max is a little boy that people say is a little different. Budo is Max's imaginary friend, and this is Budo's story. It is a story about unconditional love. Budo exists only because Max imagined him and continues to exist as long as Max believes in him. As such, Max is Budo's entire world, and Max's safety and happiness is Budo's primary concern.
One day, the unthinkable happens. Max is in trouble - real, life-altering trouble - and it is up to Budo to save him. The question is how far will Budo go and what will the consequences be for him.
I loved the perspective of this book, and the fact that an imaginary friend tells a story about real love. The book is written as a first person narrative in Budo's voice. This is the book's strength and its weakness.
Budo's voice brings a unique angle to this story. Through his voice, we feel the love and the conflict and the difficult choices. However, because Max is a child and Budo is the creation of a child's imagination, he has a child-like voice. This quality comes through clearly in the writing. It is entirely appropriate for the book, but sometimes difficult to read.
An intriguing premise. An interesting story. A somewhat challenging read. My overriding thought - I want a real friend like Budo!
I loved this book- very creative, very good read.
Didn't make it past the first 30 pages.
READ THIS BOOK! You've never read anything like this before, I promise! Such a beautiful and creative story. I'm sad it's over...
