Forgive me, Leonard Peacock
Matthew Quick
Little Brown: New York, August 2013.ISBN: 978-0316221337
ARC reviewed, provided by publisher
Leonard
Peacock has resolved to do something on his birthday: say goodbye to
the four people who have influenced his life, and then kill his former
best friend and himself. Though he begins the novel as ultimately
unlikable, in visiting his four connections, Leonards own story is
revealed in fits and spurts. Though he is justifiably disturbed and his
thoughts are often upsetting, he humanizes himself despite his best
efforts to alienate the readers. Not the cheeriest or most uplifting of
premises, this is both a book worth picking up and sticking with.
Despite the bleak outlook, Matthew Quick turns out what is ultimately a
hopeful novel that demonstrates the importance of the human connection.
For the right person at the right time, this book could be a very
powerful tool. It is recommended for older teens 16 and up, and adults.
Guys
- this is not a book I really wanted to read after reading the summary.
I mean, gun, in a school? Kid who wants to commit a murder suicide?
I was...not stoked. It all sounds so terribly bleak, doesn’t it? But
the lovely rep at ALA’s Little Brown booth told me it was phenomenal.
And it’s by Matthew Quick, he of the Silver Lining’s Playbook and the
super awesome Boy 21, which you may recall me loving! So I dragged my feet, and eventually picked it
up.
I
did not like Leonard at first. I probably don’t still super like him,
if I’m honest. But I do respect him, and at times was so sad for him
that I wanted to give him a hug, despite the fact that I suspect it’d be
a bit like hugging a hedgehog. He’s a kid that has had a heaping pile
of you know what dumped on him in part by kind of (same word here)
parents, and has had some even worse things happen to him at the hand of
an equally damaged individual. He is, however, smart, and ultimately
kind and curious. He sees things that others don’t, and for that I have
a lot of respect for him -- especially because he’s not afraid to ask
questions and talk to the people that others ignore. I love his
connection with his elderly neighbor. (Sidebar: Old people are people
too! They’re super fascinating too, you guys! I wish I had time to do
like a Big Sister, but be the little sister, with an Old) I also really
love his letters to his future self; they’re both zany and a totally
heartbreakingly hopeful escape when you need it the most as a reader.
This
is a great book in a lot of ways, though again, rather difficult to
commit to even starting. As I mentioned above, for the right individual
at the right time, it could be powerful. For the rest of us, it is a
lesson in human kindness. SPOILER: It could be a perfect fit for kids
looking to follow up on The Thirteen Reasons Why, especially because
there’s a redemption of the anguished character here that 13 Reasons
kind of lacks; Leonard takes a second chance to forgive and grows bigger as a
person. Anyways. It’s dark, and not my favorite, but you should
totally try it if you’re in the market for something unique.
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