Michael Potts's Blog: Bits and Pieces: Book Reviews and Articles on Writing, Horror Fiction, and Some Philosophy - Posts Tagged "chbosky"

Imaginary Friend by Stephen Chbosky

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


This is one of the best novels I have read in my life. Although it begins as a traditional horror story about a boy having an "imaginary friend" whom he calls "the nice man," it turns into a horror/fantasy novel of epic proportions. It reminded me of some of the speculative fiction by George MacDonald. It also has similarities to C. S. Lewis' The Last Battle in the Narnia series, although the worldview in the book is not quite "orthodox" (with a small "o") Christian. There is a bit of good old fashioned American Gnosticism included, but that can be fun to read, too.

Imaginary Friend is one of the most frightening horror novels I have read. Chbosky's sense of timing a scare is exquisite, and some chapters end with lines that made me close the book to have time to absorb the scare.

The characters stand out and are well-developed. I grew to like the good characters and really dislike the bad ones, although even they have enough good so that I did not grow to hate them. Christopher, the main character, and his mother are particularly well-developed, but even the minor characters stand out almost as vividly as real people.

There are numerous plot twists, which I shall not give away. Generally I did not expect them and found them shocking, but they fit into the previous context in hindsight, like puzzle pieces into the right slot. I was kept guessing until the end.

The world-building is amazing. Some critics have said he does not develop the nature of his secondary world sufficiently; I disagree. The epic scope of Imaginary Friend reminds me of Tolkien.

This is theological horror, which may turn off people who hate religion, but that is not the author's problem. Chbosky was reared Roman Catholic, but does not practice and is a kind of "general theist;" that is, he believes in God. Even a non-religious person should be able to pretend a little while and be drawn into the story, which is well-worth the read. The critics who claim that the book leaves no room for redemption have not read the book. It is clear as a bell that the novel is a novel about redemption and forgiveness, and this is communicated through the story. I was lost in the story and did not find the book to be didactic or preachy. The novel will, however, make you think, and as a philosophy and religion professor, I found that aspect fulfilling.

As a writer myself, I know what a well-crafted novel is, and this is the best crafted novel I have read in years. The strangeness of the plot may be off putting to some readers, but everything does follow logically in the plot

If you want to read a horror novel with elements of the thriller and epic fantasy as well as expert characterization and plot and a high "creep-factor," then read this book from start to finish. It will be worth your time.



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