Memoirs of an Imaginary Friend is a 2012 novel by Matthew Dicks.
It is told from the perspective of Budo, the imaginary friend of Max, a boy with Asperger syndrome. Budo helps Max interpret social situations and deal with his troubles at school as best he can— and from there it becomes a thriller.
In spite of the young age of the protagonists, the book is aimed primarily at an adult audience.
Memoirs of an Imaginary Friend provides examples of:
- Ambiguous Innocence: Max. He doesn't understand the danger that he's in or the concept of losing someone forever.
- Cassandra Truth: Budo warns Max about Mrs. Patterson trying to kidnap him, but Max, being eight years old, doesn't believe him.
- Fate Worse than Death: Not existing, to Budo. Of course, to an imaginary friend, not existing is death.
- Freudian Excuse: Mrs. Patterson lost her own son, and kidnaps Max to replace him.
- Gainax Ending: The final chapter. Is Budo dead? Is he Dee's imaginary friend now?
The author purposefully left it open to interpretation.
- Hesitant Sacrifice: Budo knows that if he helps Max to grow, Max won't need him anymore, and he will die. His conflicted feelings drive much of his characterization.
- Vile Villain, Saccharine Show: A deranged kidnapping teacher really puts a damper on the whimsy of the first half of the book.
