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Audiobooks > Fiction >  Literary > Memoirs of an Imaginary Friend: A Novel
Memoirs of an Imaginary Friend: A Novel Audiobook, by Barbara Leaming Play Audiobook Sample

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4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 (4.00) - 4,354 customer ratings
Memoirs of an Imaginary Friend: A Novel Audiobook, by Barbara Leaming Play Audiobook Sample
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Author: Barbara Leaming, Matthew Dicks Narrator: Eliza Foss, Matthew Brown Publisher: Macmillan Audio Audio Length: Release Date: August 2012 Format: Unabridged Audiobook Delivery: Instant Download ISBN: 9781427225894
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Publisher Description

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.

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Quotes

  • “Matthew Brown gives a winning performance as Budo, the imaginary friend of 8-year-old Max…Brown's uncanny reproduction of Max's high-pitched hysteria makes Max completely believable.

    - AudioFile Magazine

  • Brown puts not only sound but also soul into the humor, the frustrations, the fears and the realizations of these unusual characters. Dicks has written a heartwarming tale; Brown ratchets up the warmth with his endearing narration.

    - Shelf Awareness for Readers

  • Matthew Brown's narration has just the right emphasis for reinforcing believability – from Max's flat utterances to Budo's confusion at all things human.

    - The Herald Sun

  • When 8-year –old Max gets kidnapped by his troubled teacher, the true-blue pal he's dreamed up comes to his rescue.

    - People Magazine

  • A novel as creative, brave, and pitch-perfect as its narrator, an imaginary friend named Budo, who reminds us that bravery comes in the most unlikely forms. It has been a long time since I read a book that has captured me so completely, and has wowed me with its unique vision. You've never read a book like this before. As Budo himself might say: Believe me.

    - Jodi Picoult, New York Times bestselling author of Sing You Home

  • Wholly original and completely unputdownable. MEMOIRS OF AN IMAGINARY FRIEND is a captivating story told in a voice so clever and honest I didn't want it to end. The arresting voice of THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME with the emotional power of ROOM and the whimsy of DROP DEAD FRED, but in a class of its own.

    - Eleanor Brown, New York Times bestselling author of The Weird Sisters

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Customer Reviews

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  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " I loved this book. It was beautifully written. Very sad towards the end and I highly recommend it. "

    - Lucy, 2/19/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " I really enjoy this book so much. Though I was busy with my final exam, I still spent my time reading at least one chapter a day "

    - Panha, 2/17/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " A terrific premise, brilliantly executed, and a book that manages to be as exciting as it is heartbreakingly poignant. "

    - Jeff, 2/16/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " So many things are good about this book. The concept of writing from the perspective of an imaginary friend was amazing - like someone truly able to see the world from the outside with a clear view. I loved the characters, developed enough to understand them but no too much that you get lost in the details. Great plot with enough suspense to keep you reading. Well written and lots of empathy for the struggles of each of the characters. I def recommend!! "

    - Nicole, 1/26/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Who says friends must be human? "

    - Jolice, 1/21/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " I've never quite read a book like this before. It was written from the point of view of the imaginary friend. I won't give away any spoilers, but this is a must read especially for my teacher friends who have known students like the one described in this book. Get the kleenex ready though! "

    - Paulette, 1/12/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Creative and well written. A good story for anyone who was once a child. "

    - Mike, 12/31/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Loved this book! Getting the few from the imaginary friend was very cool. "

    - Durray, 12/28/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " This book was terrific...although my book was written by Matthew Dicks, not Matthew Green! Same book though. I could not put it down...it was heart pounding and heart wrenching. I laughed, cried and ran with Max and Budo the whole way! "

    - Tina, 12/25/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " I liked this book because it was interesting to read from the point of view of an imaginary friend. It was just too dragged out at times. "

    - Jennifer, 12/7/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " I quite liked it - and for once the description on the book cover was right, it was indeed like a mix of "The curious incident..." and "Room", which I both have read and liked. "

    - Sandra, 12/5/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " I really enjoyed this book about an autistic child moving on from needing support from his imaginary friend to being indepenent, all be it supported by his family & teacher. "

    - Gillian, 11/7/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " This book is written from the perspective of an 8 year-old child with Asperger's imaginary friend. It shows a lot of insight into this type of child, and the challenges he, his family, and his teachers face. There's a good story here, and the book was pretty good. "

    - Terri, 11/1/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " This novel started off very well. There was a plot twist in the middle that I felt served little purpose other than to make people gasp. It reached a little too much for me. It redeemed itself a little in the end. "

    - Jennifer, 9/30/2013
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5

    " Not for me. Couldn't finish, it felt too much like a Hallmark movie, but slower paced. "

    - Lori, 9/29/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " I think this book, for me, is really a 2.5 but I rounded up to 3. I wasn't captivated by the story and found the existentialism boring. I rounded up to a three because the writing was good and story creative. "

    - Edith, 7/27/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " This book will introduce you to a whole new world, perfectly narrated in a unique voice. As another reviewer said, don't read the summary or book jacket if you can help it, as you'll enjoy it more. Despite Budo's simple language, he manages to convey layers of meaning. "

    - Lisa, 6/12/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Quite beautiful; a tragic analogy for death. "

    - Ms, 2/23/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " This book was incredible. It is such an interesting concept for a book. It's heart warming, funny, sad, happy and suspenseful all at the same time. I wish I could sit down with the author and ask where he came up with all the friends! "

    - Anne-marie, 12/3/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Absolutely outstanding. I had no idea how an imaginary friend would act, think, or speak, but Dicks got it exactly right. This is one of the most ingenious and engaging books I have EVER read, and I was on the edge of my seat frequently. Highly, highly recommend. "

    - Kimberly, 11/22/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " I've dealt with students like Max - this gave me not only a whole new appreciation for them, but I loved the insight into imaginary friends in general. Very well done, and hard to leave! "

    - Addreamy, 11/21/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Loved this book! So original and I just adored the characters. The storyline was wonderful. SO glad I read it -- highly recommend it! "

    - Tara, 11/10/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " An amazing story, I read it in one day. "

    - Johanna, 9/25/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Enjoyed this very much. A very interesting perspective. I would recommend this to people who like to read about children in a serious way. Readers of Room might enjoy this. "

    - Karen, 8/26/2012

About the Author

Barbara Leaming is the author of the New York Times bestseller Katharine Hepburn. She was for many years professor of theater and film at Hunter College. Her articles have appeared in Vanity Fair and the New York Times Magazine. She lives in Connecticut.

About the Narrators

Eliza Foss is an actress who has appeared in numerous theaters in New York City and around the country. She has narrated over thirty books and short stories, been featured in AudioFile magazine, and won five AudioFile Earphones Awards for her narrations.

Matthew Brown has voiceover experience in many different areas, including national and regional commercials, audiobooks, ESL, feature film ADR/looping, and animated projects both feature film and television. His narration credits include Matthew Dicks’ Memoirs of an Imaginary Friend and Mary E. Pearson’s Fox series.