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    Hans W. Anderson III 04-16-15
    Hans W. Anderson III 04-16-15
    ratings
    REVIEWS
    26
    1
    Overall
    "Thank you for all of the tears & joys."

    I am a 73 year old man transported back to heroic tales of childhood and was scared, afraid and anxious reading this wonderful tale. The cry for happy ending will keep me happy for a month.

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    a 05-10-14
    a 05-10-14
    HELPFUL VOTES
    3
    ratings
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    17
    12
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    FOLLOWING
    9
    2
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    Performance
    Story
    "LOVE LOVE LOVE!!!!"

    I love Budo. His unconditional acceptance and love of Max is heartwarming and inspiring. Yes, I know he's imaginary, but that doesn't make him any less real. (You'll see.) Matthew Dicks created one of the most charming, lovable characters I've ever met. He injects humor, warmth, and an insight into what it's like to be "on the spectrum" as well as the challenges for those who love someone "on the spectrum". This is a beautiful story... alternately funny, heartbreaking and thought provoking. (Great narration, too!) Do yourself a favor. Even if you don't have an available credit, buy this book. It's THAT good!

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    Danielle 02-23-14
    Danielle 02-23-14
    ratings
    REVIEWS
    2
    1
    Overall
    Performance
    Story
    "Matthew Brown is a perfect cast."
    Would you listen to Memoirs of an Imaginary Friend again? Why?

    Yes, I would listen to this book repeatedly just for the performance of the narrator. It's not just that he creates a unique voice for each character, he actually creates the characters. The way each character is performed suggests that he spent some serious time thinking about their complexity and motivation. Many wonderful actors can play a single part extremely well- this one plays dozens of parts extremely well all at once.

    As for the story, it was charming and original, if at times a bit awkwardly paced. The subject matter has been done, but certainly not from this angle. The author has found a way to explore the autism spectrum both intimately and objectively- from the point of view of somebody who understands the child inherently and has a window on his life that isn't open to any other person. This is not necessarily something I would have originally purchased in written form because I normally like my reading to be a little more fast-paced, but something about the narration moves the story along and engages me with it to the point that I would now certainly buy the hard copy.


    What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

    This story has several endings, but at the ultimate ending, I felt warm, happy, and relieved... but at the same time, the ending felt a little forced, as though the tone did not match the tone of the book.


    Which character – as performed by Matthew Brown – was your favorite?

    Hands down, Budo was my favorite performance. After all, we hear the entire story through his voice and Mr. Brown makes him a truly loveable guy with interesting thoughts and a beautiful character arc. I think what the actor managed is to bring both a genuine youthfulness to the performance- as might be expected from a small child's imaginary friend- along with insight, responsibility, and wisdom that comes from somewhere else entirely.


    If you could take any character from Memoirs of an Imaginary Friend out to dinner, who would it be and why?

    I would of course like to have dinner with Budo, the most individual imaginary friend in the world... however, since he is not -my- imaginary friend, I would essentially be dining alone. Because of that, my next choice would be Mrs. Gosk, the wonderful teacher. I would like to meet the woman who is so intelligent, so creative, and so loving that she manages to reach and understand every one of her students on an intimate, personal level... even a child with moderately severe autism.


    Any additional comments?

    Even if you think it's not your thing, even if you normally read galloping crime novels or intricately woven fantasy universes or voluminous biographies, give this a listen. You won't regret it. That is, if you have retained anything at all of your childhood imagination!

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    Briana Melissa Ford Lewisville, TX 11-22-13
    Briana Melissa Ford Lewisville, TX 11-22-13 Member Since 2015
    HELPFUL VOTES
    90
    ratings
    REVIEWS
    115
    28
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    FOLLOWING
    34
    1
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    Performance
    Story
    "Nothing Imaginary About This Friend"

    What does it mean when an adult is about to cry at work while listening to an audiobook about imaginary friends? I didn't really have one. I made up twin imaginary friends who lasted about 2 days. But this book, wow. I just may believe in them again. I laughed out loud and I had tears and sad faces during a few parts. How can something "not real" (both fiction & imaginary friends) give you so many feelings? I loved it. I loved the different characters and how it suddenly became a suspense. Don't mind me, just get this book.

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    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
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    Crystal MURRAY, KY, United States 10-18-13
    Crystal MURRAY, KY, United States 10-18-13 Member Since 2012
    HELPFUL VOTES
    2
    ratings
    REVIEWS
    137
    8
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    0
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    Performance
    Story
    "The story and the perspective are encompassing"
    Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

    Not only is the the story of a good one, but telling it from the perspective of an imaginary friend is fresh and insightful into the world of autism spectrum. Even without that interest I can see many people enjoying the story of Boodo and Max.


    Who was your favorite character and why?

    Oswald. He was initially misunderstood, but his willingness to sacrifice himself for Max and his belief that he would live on because of that made me feel affectionate toward him.


    Which scene was your favorite?

    When Max escapes and is finally able to make decisions for himself.


    Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

    Actually I enjoyed taking breaks to digest some what I'd heard during each listening.


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    Vashti Peterborough, ON, Canada 02-05-13
    Vashti Peterborough, ON, Canada 02-05-13
    HELPFUL VOTES
    1
    ratings
    REVIEWS
    8
    4
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    FOLLOWING
    0
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    Performance
    Story
    "Great audiobook - informative and imaginative"

    The idea of telling a story from the perspective of an imaginary friend was interesting in itself, but beyond this the story deals with autism on a very intimate and personal level. As someone who has grown up in a family that cared for several foster children with varying degrees of autism, I could relate to much of what the story dealt with, and really appreciated how the author acknowledges how difficult it can be for families and others to understand and relate to kids like Max. I would recommend this story to anyone interested in autism, whether or not you know much about it. Aside from being informative, though, the story is also quite entertaining and the reader does his job well. The only criticism I would offer is that some of Budo's narration is a little redundant. Overall, definitely an audiobook worth listening to. I recommended it to my mom and she loved it!

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    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
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    John Braine London, United kingdom 02-01-13
    John Braine London, United kingdom 02-01-13 Member Since 2016
    HELPFUL VOTES
    23
    ratings
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    54
    17
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    0
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    "Nice, light-hearted, easy read but enjoyable."
    Any additional comments?

    Nice, light-hearted, easy read but enjoyable. And a relatively original idea. If we can forget Drop Dead Fred ever happened. Lots of similarities to the The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nightime. If you liked that, you'll probably like this.

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    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
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    Dana WILLIS, TX, United States 01-22-13
    Dana WILLIS, TX, United States 01-22-13 Member Since 2011
    ratings
    REVIEWS
    38
    1
    Overall
    Performance
    Story
    "don't stop listening."
    Would you consider the audio edition of Memoirs of an Imaginary Friend to be better than the print version?

    Ididn't read it. I just bought the audio book


    Who was your favorite character and why?

    Teeny, Because she seemed to help move the conscience of the characters in the right direction.


    Which scene was your favorite?

    The bathroom stall. Great payback for bullying. I bet he will think twice before that happens again.


    If you could take any character from Memoirs of an Imaginary Friend out to dinner, who would it be and why?

    Oswald, I would love to ask him what it was like to feel lost and alone.


    Any additional comments?

    I almost stopped listening in the first hour of the book. So glad I didn't. The bully scene was what stopped me. It was a charming story. I never had an imaginary friend. It is great to imagine what it is like for kids who do. How in the world could the author write a story from this perspective. It was great!

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    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
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    Mary United States 01-19-13
    Mary United States 01-19-13 Member Since 2011
    HELPFUL VOTES
    15
    ratings
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    145
    21
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    FOLLOWING
    2
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    "What an imagination this writer has!"

    I loved this book. It was so fresh. Like nothing I had read before. I was so attached to the characters, on the edge of my seat about the ending and always wondering how anyone has the imagination to think of what "life" would be like for an imaginary friend. The mark of a great book is I miss the characters now that they are gone.

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    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
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    J. Samuels Arizona 01-07-13
    J. Samuels Arizona 01-07-13 Member Since 2011
    ratings
    REVIEWS
    10
    1
    Overall
    Performance
    Story
    "A Good Listen for a Winter Day"
    Where does Memoirs of an Imaginary Friend rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

    Near the top


    What did you like best about this story?

    I liked the concept. The story presents a look at the problems of childhood and the "special child" from a new perspective. The view of the world through the eyes of an imaginary friend is told in a consistently believable way that keeps the reader in the mood of the story. There are none of the jarring That Wouldn't Happen moments that often spoil stories like this one.


    What does Matthew Brown bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

    Although this is a suspense story that keeps one wanting to know what happens next, the tone throughout is gentle, reflecting the love and concern the imaginary friend feels for his child friend. The reading of Matthew Brown sets this mood early in the story and even when the narrator is upset and concerned the mood remains. This is a perfect listen for a winter day. Grab a cup of tea, an afghan and a big soft chair and enjoy!


    Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

    No.


    Any additional comments?

    Would have liked to see a couple of changes in the ending. Would have liked to know what happens to the "villain".
    Also, the continued use of "dance with the devil in the pale moonlight" caused this evocative phrase to lose its impact and eventually become an annoying distraction. But that is a very small flaw in an otherwise enjoyable tale.

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