Book review: Imaginary Friend by Stephen Chbosky
Avoid the woods and stick to the streets at night. You've been warned.
Stephen Chbosky needs no introduction; his debut novel, The Perks of Being a Wallflower, was a global sensation and remains one of my favourite books of all time. After a 20-year hiatus in Hollywood, Chbosky returned with his long-awaited second novel, Imaginary Friend - an ambitious and beefy foray into the horror genre, spanning over 700 pages.
Imaginary Friend explores the eerie facets of human experience. As a ghost story nerd, I was thrilled to find Chbosky’s second novel drenched in supernatural elements, extending beyond the usual psychological thriller tropes. This bold and curious story - comparable to a cinematic experience - combines elements of ghosts, imagination, and small-town gossip. It is a tale about growing up and the love between a parent and child.
We follow seven-year-old Christopher Reese and his mother, Kate, as they settle in the small town of Mill Grove, Pennsylvania, to escape Kate's abusive boyfriend. Christopher, a good kid struggling with dyslexia and the recent death of his father, and Kate, on the brink of financial ruin and living in a motel, face new challenges. Shortly after their arrival, Christopher vanishes into the local woods for six days. Upon his return, he exhibits newfound intelligence, wins a lottery windfall after a successful maths test, and forms a strange connection with an imaginary friend called the “nice man,” who appears as a plastic bag. The “nice man” instructs Christopher to build a treehouse in the woods, warning that failure to complete it by Christmas Day will unleash great evil upon the world.
Chbosky excels in crafting a haunting atmosphere, using Mill Grove’s small-town setting to evoke a sense of claustrophobia and unease, heightened by the sinister presence of the Mission Street Woods. His detailed descriptions and the gradual build-up of tension create a pervasive feeling of dread that lingers throughout the novel. The freezing winter and impending doom are palpable, making the reading experience vivid and, at times, uncomfortable.
“Adults are bad at remembering how powerful they can be because somewhere along the line, they were shamed for their imagination.”
The characters, particularly Christopher and Kate, are well-developed and complex. Christopher’s transformation from a vulnerable child to a determined hero is well done, and Kate's struggle with her past balanced with her fierce love for her son is portrayed with such emotional depth you find yourself rooting for her.
Kate’s development is particularly striking. Initially, she is vulnerable and overwhelmed, haunted by her past and trying to create a better life for her son. Her fear and anxiety are evident as she grapples with their precarious situation. However, as the story progresses and the supernatural threats escalate, Kate undergoes a remarkable transformation. With Christopher sitting at the heart of the unimaginable horrors, Kate is forced to tap into her inner strength to fight against the malevolent forces endangering her child. Her declaration, "I will not let you take my son,” marks her shift from a protective mother to a fierce warrior.
Themes of trauma, mental illness, and the power of imagination are prevalent throughout the book. Chbosky also explores faith, using Christian symbolism to examine childhood trauma and moral complexities. He highlights the constant struggle between light and darkness in human experience, encapsulated in the quote, “The world is full of bad things. But it’s also full of good things. And you’re one of the good ones, Christopher.”
The intention behind Imaginary Friend is multifaceted. By delving into the psyche of a young boy grappling with his immense fears and a mother fighting to protect her child, Chbosky underscores the power of imagination as a coping mechanism and a source of strength. His portrayal of good versus evil is not merely to terrify but to reflect real-world moral struggles. As Chbosky stated, "I wanted to write a book that explores the line between reality and imagination, and how our deepest fears and hopes are often intertwined." This is vividly realised through the blend of supernatural horror and psychological turmoil, compelling readers to reflect on their own fears and the redemptive power of human connections.
“We can swallow our fear or let our fear swallow us.”
Imaginary Friend is ambitious, intertwining multiple perspectives and timelines. Chbosky's attempt to create a sprawling, epic blockbuster reminiscent of Stephen King’s It or The Stand is commendable. However, the pacing often feels bloated, with repetitive scenes and extensive focus on minor subplots detracting from the overall momentum (there are only so many evil deer and zipped-mouthed children I could take).
I've only mentioned a few characters, but there are many more, each with a unique role and their own battles. The supernatural forces at play manipulate their traumas, from devout Catholic schoolgirl Mary Katherine MacNeil, who finds Christopher after his six-day disappearance, to Mrs Henderson, the school librarian, who dreams of stabbing her unfaithful husband to death, and the local sheriff, who is processing a particularly traumatic case. Each character has their own subplot to follow. Although I consider this a minor gripe, a tighter, more focused narrative would have elevated my enjoyment of the book and cut it down from its rather intimidating 700-plus length.
“If you fail at your job, you do not blame some outside force. You look right in the mirror and take responsibility. That was the problem with the world. No one took responsibility.”
I did, however, enjoy the repeated emphasis on the “nice man" and the “hissing lady"(reminiscent of the witch in Hansel and Gretel: “…“she turned to teeth and a hissing mouth. Worse than the Wicked Witch. Worse than anything. Four legs like a dog. Or a long neck like a giraffe. Hssss.”) as embodiments of good and evil respectively. This built on the fairy-tale-like dichotomy I mentioned earlier. While it may lack subtlety and I did predict the twist that followed, I appreciated the gravitas Chbosky gave these characters in propelling the story forward.
While not perfect, Imaginary Friend is a novel of grand ambition that has the potential to be something truly terrifying. Chbosky’s foray into horror fiction is marked by atmospheric world-building, complex characters, and a willingness to tackle challenging themes. Although it may not reach the heights of his debut (which in all fairness would have been difficult to do!), it establishes him as a versatile storyteller capable of exploring the darker aspects of the human psyche.
“Never mistake being nice for being weak.”
Imaginary Friend successfully avoids the dreaded ‘second book syndrome’ (normally associated with series follow-ups, whereas this is a stand-alone). My point is that Imaginary Friend is a solid and satisfying read, if a bit convoluted at times. I applaud Chbosky for his imagination and out-of-this-world storytelling. He is undoubtedly an incredibly talented writer and with a last line that left me screaming for a sequel, I was left with more questions than I had resolutions for.
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Have you read Imaginary Friend? What did you think? Please share your thoughts in the comments below.
As always, happy reading!
Until next time,
Sian | Criminally Creepy Books
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