Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock by Matthew Quick Review

Sunday, August 4, 2013

Title: Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock
Author: Matthew Quick (Twitter)
Publisher: Little, Brown BYR
Publish Date: August 13, 2013
Genre: YA, Contemporary
Pages: 288
Source: Publisher

Today is Leonard Peacock's birthday. It is also the day he hides a gun in his backpack. Because today is the day he will kill his former best friend, and then himself, with his grandfather's P-38 pistol.

But first he must say good-bye to the four people who matter most to him: his Humphrey Bogart-obsessed next-door neighbor, Walt; his classmate Baback, a violin virtuoso; Lauren, the Christian homeschooler he has a crush on; and Herr Silverman, who teaches the high school's class on the Holocaust. Speaking to each in turn, Leonard slowly reveals his secrets as the hours tick by and the moment of truth approaches.
Leonard has given up. Today is the day, without a doubt, that he will end kill Asher Beal, then turn the gun on himself. It's the way it has to be. It's the only way out now. From his less-than-ideal family life, to the relationships with friends that never really got off the ground, or simply crashed and burned, there is a reason that Leonard has come to the school today with a loaded gun in his backpack. But before he can finally end it all, there are just four people to whom Leonard has to apologize. And, once he does, he's free to finally and ultimately be free...if he truly wants it.

I'm sure most of you can agree that this book has flown far beneath the radar on the YA market and, in some ways, I do understand why. Grappling with base human emotions, the darker side of the human mind, depression and suicidal themes, Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock challenges the boundaries of young adult fiction. With heartfelt emotion, raw tension and a painful, palpable sadness, Matthew Quick paints a picture of a boy so desperate to get out, he sees no other option than a tragic murder suicide. And, with even greater precision and feeling, we are offered not only an insight into how Leonard's life became so hopeless, but also to the true hope for redemption.

When I read the synopsis of Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock, I'll admit that I had pause when considering picking it up. As readers of this blog, you know that I have a deep appreciation for darker books that tackle reality in a true manner. However, I was worried that a book this dark might be even too much for me to bear. However, I have to say that I was very wrong in that regard. Let me be clear though; this book is extremely sad. It's sad in the sense that it is so very heartbreaking to watch a teenage boy so lost in the throes of despair that he cannot find a way out. It's sad that we can't reach through the pages and hold this boy that is so real, tangible, sensitive and genuine. It's sad that we cannot convince him that it does get better. Leonard truly was a remarkable character. There's a distinct intelligence about him that contrasts perfectly with this shadow of depression surrounding him. He's lonely, and that feeling is aching and hollow from page one, and we're enveloped into the world in which Leonard has lost himself. Told in first person, I found it was easy to access Leonard's thoughts on life, as a whole. I'll admit it was a bit painful at times, and as we see in his footnotes describing the extraneous details, we see just how thoughtful he is. He examines everything. He sees and feels it all, and that pain and sense of loss is almost suffocating at times which, for a story such of this, is a huge talent. The brutal beauty of Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock lies within the ability to put us in Leonard's shoes though, and by giving us a true-to-life, searing tale of a teen who has no sense of self-worth left. I do wish the ending had been a bit longer to know with complete certainty Leonard's fate. There's something to be said though for leaving us with two divergent paths, a touch of hope and, after all, a resigned sense of closure.

Overall,  I was really, really impressed with Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock. It's about as dark as you can get in this genre without crossing the line because of the honest portrayal, but it is rich, layered and incredibly important. I give it a 4.5 out of 5, and I recommend it to all fans of YA and upper YA, especially those who enjoy contemporary fiction and issue books. Please be aware of the dark subject matter and, at times, coarse language.

I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

23 comments:

  1. I had a couple of minor issues with this one but overall I thought it was a pretty remarkable book. And you're right, it really hasn't been getting that much attention, which is a shame. I'm glad to see another review of this up. :D

    ~Briana

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    1. I wish it WAS a bigger book in the YA market. I think it's such an important read.

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  2. Ooh, that is one quirky cover. I haven't seen this one before but I'm glad you enjoyed it!

    Fab review, Melissa! <33

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    1. Don't be fooled by the quirky cover. It's not a feel-good book, and it's not adult! It's very, very emotional!

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  3. Wow, I admit I did a little double take reading the blurb. This sounds pretty intense and emotional but also very thought-provoking. I'm not sure if my fragile heart could take this. Lol! But I'll try to find some courage and pick this up. Sounds like a must-read book. This is such a wonderful review, Melissa! Glad you loved this book. ;)

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    1. I debated whether I'd be able to read this book, and i'm really glad I did. It wasn't without sadness, but it was so, so well done.

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  4. I'm glad that you enjoyed this Melissa, it does really sound like a dark gritty read, but I've been enjoying these quite a lot lately. I have to admit that I hadn't heard of this book before your review either, but the impression it's left with you, definitely makes me want to give it a try sooner. Thanks again for another gorgeous review and for putting this book on my radar! :)

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    1. Of course! It's tricky to navigate such a hard, painful subject, but this book is done really, really well. I was completely surprised.

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  5. Thanks for the helpful review. It's hard to decide if this one is appropriate, or if I want to read it, but your insightful review has helped.

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    1. Thanks, Annette! I hope you do read it. It's worth that - though I'm not sure younger audiences will be able to appreciate its complexity.

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  6. I've been hearing a lot about this author, so I'm excited to see that this has your vote of approval! I really want to read this and am thrilled it is such a thought-provoking and wonderful read. Fantastic review, Melissa!(:

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    1. Thanks, Keertana! The author has a way of balancing the heavy emotion with his fantastic characters. It really worked for me.

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  7. Wow...this sounds like a very remarkable read...but one that I don't think I'm too keen to try out myself...I don't know that I've enough tissues!

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    1. It's worth a read, Melissa! I really hope you do try it one of these days!

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  8. Wow, that was a beautiful review of what I'm sure was an emotional read. I love issue books, especially mental health issues but you're right, this one is so close to the edge when it comes to pushing the limits. I'm so glad the author did such a good job even if the ending was a little open. That was a great review!

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    1. It's a tricky topic, for sure, but the author did so well turning it into a story that is heartfelt and memorable without being TOO much.

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  9. I've actually heard a lot about this from a few bloggers who have awesome taste in books, so the fact that you like it too is great. It's different from the things I tend to read, but it just sounds too unique and emotional to pass up.

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    1. It's very emotional...and heavy...but it's so well done. I am so glad I read it :)

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  10. I just started this one... I was also a bit nervous that it was just going to be completely depressing, so it's nice to hear from you that that's not completely the case. Poor Leonard. I can already see how thoughtful it is. I would also like to tell him it does get better. As sad as it is, this truly does sound like a book that is important to read so I'm looking forward to finish it. I have a good feeling I'll get as much out of the read as you did! This was a really fantastic review, Melissa.

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  11. I've been curious about this book for a long time - it's an intense concept, but it sounds like the author handles the story and Leonard's character very well. I'll have to check this out when it releases.

    Incredible review, Melissa!

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  12. The concept of this book freaks me out, but you're the second person who has recommended it, so I need to take it a bit more seriously. Thanks for the thoughtful review!

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  13. I really want to read this, although I've still not read Silver Linings Playbook. People rave about Quick's writing though - I'll have to not get my expectations too high!

    Sarah

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  14. I’ve been looking forward to this book for a while. The story line sounded so unique, and I’d never heard of a book where you followed the MC on a journey to wanting to kill his best friend and them himself. I know that sounds kind of twisted, but it’s just not something you get to experience every day. I can imagine that this book would be incredibly heavy like you said.

    The bit about footnotes – I usually like those in a book. I wish you had found them sooner but those damn eARCs mess up formatting so often. I will probably read a print copy of this book just for that fact. Great review! :)

    Irene (Seward Alaska Fishing)

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