On every level, this book is worthy of five stars. The story is original, touching and memorable. Budo (the narrator and main character) is a captivating mixture of innocence, childlike wisdom, love, wonder and fear. Matthew Green's characters are so vivid that they remain with the reader after the book is finished. Right from the opening page, the novel engaged my full attention, stirring up emotions that grew stronger as the story progressed. Memoirs of an Imaginary Friend is a masterclass in storytelling.

Budo is the imaginary friend of a nine-year-old boy named Max. Though not explicitly stated, it is implied that Max suffers from some type of autistic-spectrum disorder: we are told that he is 'different'; Max's mother and father argue over whether or not to raise him as 'normal'; Max does not like to be touched; when faced with too many stimuli or choices, he becomes 'stuck', retreating into his inner universe and becoming unreachable for a period; at school, he is bullied because of his unorthodox way of relating to the world. Budo lives in constant fear of disappearing. Imaginary friends, you see, exist only as long as their imaginer believes in them. Having existed for five years, Budo is the oldest imaginary friend he knows. When Max is abducted from school, Budo witnesses the crime and recognises the abductor. He is unable to tell anyone, though, as Max is the only human who can see or hear him. Setting out on a quest to save Max, Budo enlists the help of other imaginary friends. These strange creatures come in an intoxicating array of forms, as imagined by their human creators. Budo's desire to save his friend is driven by two forces: (1) his transcendent love for Max; (2) his fear that Max might stop believing in him, which would lead to his vanishing into nonexistence. As Budo and friends face seemingly insurmountable obstacles on their journey, Green builds tension and wonder in equal quantitities.

In addition to posing existential questions in a new way, the story is heart-wrenchingly poignant. The narrative is dotted with Budo's incisive observations of human nature. These truths are sometimes sad, often funny, always clever. They stem from an imaginary being viewing human behaviour with objectivity and the infallible logic of a child. As narrators go, Budo is perfect: endearing, lovable, logical, loyal, brave, observant and full of initiative.

If you have a heart, this book will move you to tears. If you open your mind, Green's characters will step into it and fill you with wonder.

A life-changing story. A paradigm shift. Memoirs of an Imaginary Friend is more than a novel: it's an echo chamber of profound emotions, thoughts and ideas. And perhaps most of all, it's a reminder of the sacred nature of friendship.

Buy it. Read it. Be changed for the better.