Confessions of an Imaginary Friend: A Memoir by Jacques Papier

Jacques Papier’s memoirs tell the story of a little boy facing a problem that will be familiar to numerous children – he feels invisible. It’s not just the cool kids at school that fail to notice Jacques; it’s everybody but his twin sister, Fleur. Gradually, Jacques learns that he is not just invisible, but entirely unreal, the invention of Fleur’s fantastic imagination.

Jacques is, understandably, rather concerned by this and embarks upon an eventful journey of self-discovery. Determined to find his raison d’etre, Jacques wrestles with life’s big questions, such as why there is no word for a stranger’s note found in a book or for ‘when someone has a smile that looks so lit up, there must be a lightning bug caught in their head’.

Though this is not the first book written from the perspective of an imaginary friend, it feels very original thanks largely to Jacques’ willingness to confide in his readers. His feelings and actions are explored independently of his various charges, who serve as comedic and colourful supporting cast members. Jacques helps the studious and reserved Bernard overcome his crippling shyness and seeks shelter from the deranged bank robber, Pierre.

These adventures that Jacques has with his ‘unimaginary’ friends remind us that everyone needs a special companion with whom to share those magical moments like lying face down in the grass, nose-to-soil, enjoying a bug’s-eye view of the world. By the end of the book, thanks to the conciliatory qualities of Jacques’ writing, readers will be able to empathise with the crucial role that imaginary friends play in the world.

Michelle Cuevas’ novel is both humorous and sincere throughout and, though some children may pine for more moments of genuine tension or excitement, Jacques’ memoirs will certainly ignite young imaginations.