This was a compulsive read. A troubled teen finds his way out of sexual abuse, bullying and neglect. Despite the rough subject matter there were some laugh out loud moments. ( )

From the first page of this novel, Leonard Peacock makes it clear that he is going to kill himself. That is his mission. We are with him for his journey of what he plans to be the last day of his life, which also happens to be his eighteenth birthday. While this is definitely not a happy book (quite the opposite, really), Matthew Quick gives a voice to Leonard that is authentically teenager - sarcastic, pessimistic, and at times even funny. Honest. I can clearly picture Leonard, I see a bit of my high school self in him and I can think of more than a few kids I knew growing up that were very much like Leonard - which is kind of the whole point really. Leonard feels like he is alone in the world, he feels like nobody gets it and he's so different than the rest of his peers and really, he's not. We've all been there in some capacity and we'll probably be there again.

Read the rest of this review at Notes in the Margin. ( )

Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock is a complex novel about Leonard and his plan. Constantly on edge, the reader is immersed in a realistic depiction of a traumatized teen. There are so many moments in the story where the reader wants to help him, but can’t. Due to this, we are faced with a feeling of helplessness. This is unfortunately what most related situations are like. Someone knows but can’t help, leaving the victim to feel all alone.

This book is great at detailing how Leonard feelings without demonizing him, which is important because it helps us understand how much pain he’s in. The protagonist is very well written with interesting character quirks. He also has a slight nihilistic side that adds to his character and makes his relationship with his favorite teacher much more memorable. Herr Silvermann is another greatly written character. His sympathy and kindness to all students, whether they deserve it or not, is honorable and makes the reader feel safe whenever he is mentioned, almost as if they know Leonard will be fine around him. As for the antagonist, Asher Beal, he is also an intriguing character. Although being an awful person, he was written incredibly well. In the beginning, we didn't know much about him. But when more is revealed through Leonards's memories, the dots start to connect, giving us a sickening feeling. Despite how mean Asher is, Leonard’s mental struggles are the real antagonist. Between Linda, his mom, being absent and the kids at his school being bullies, Leonard is caught between a rock and a hard place. This makes the reader hope nothing but the best for him, and when things get rough, we get scared.

I recommend this novel because of how realistically tragic it is. However, it has some pretty heavy and disturbing topics, so if you like alarming books with realistic themes of mental health, you will enjoy this novel. This book gives the reader a feeling of nausea in some parts but is an overall great book to read. This book is eye-opening and is totally worth the read. ( )

On Leonard's 18th birthday, he's got a plan: He's going to kill Asher Beal and then kill himself. Before he does that he's going to say goodbye to 4 important people in his life. He has going away presents for them. As the day goes on Leonard goes to school with his gun in his backpack and we learn what's led up to his final breakdown... and whether he's beyond saving.

This book is the supposed final day in the life of a boy who's been through a lot. Too much even. It's a story told through his thoughts and views on life and society. It's also a story told through footnotes that give more detail to things that are mentioned and "Letters From the Future", letters that give you an insight into the hopeful mind of someone on the edge.

My Thoughts:
This book features Leonard on the day of his 18th birthday. The day he will commit a murder-suicide. It's a story of a boy who feels alone. And his aloneness permeated straight through me. Throughout the book there were footnotes that gave background information or little insights into topics that were mentioned and there were letters that were titled "Letters From the Future". (I must admit those letters confused me a little at first... but all was explained eventually). I loved these added little features. I found they made the book more unique and thoughtful.

It's hard for me to even convey what I felt about this book. I haven't felt this messed up over a book since I read The Fault in Our Stars by John Green. First of all, I couldn't STOP reading it. I literally stayed up all night reading and reading and stopping to cry on and off. I actually went and sat on my steps by myself for a little while just contemplating human nature. Like why we are the way we are. Why we hurt each other all the time. And how many Leonard Peacock's go unnoticed every single day. Ughh my heart just hurt!! And I kind of hated myself at the same time because I know I probably wouldn't be aware enough of someone like Leonard to help him. I'm too self-absorbed!

Leonard was this sad boy who had something truly terrible happen to him in his past. He also had a really fucked up home life and so didn't really have anyone overseeing how he was doing on a daily basis. What he did have was an AMAZING elderly neighbor and truly SPECTACULAR teacher. Herr Silverman and Walt were two of my favorite characters that I've met all year. I wish there really were teachers like Herr Silverman who care on that level.

I could probably philosophize (is that a word?) about this book all day. It brought up so many issues about the human condition and basically made me question my own character and morals to the point that I can't even describe it. I would be lying if I said this book was perfect. It wasn't perfect. The ending was kind of abrupt and Leonard got irritating at times. He wanted his classmates to open their minds up to other thoughts and ideas, but at times he was very judgmental and stubborn. I just want to say that this is a book that's worth reading. It will get you thinking about why people do certain things, and if you don't cry when reading the convo's between Herr Silverman and Leonard, I'm not sure we can be friends. It was heart-wrenching!

OVERALL: Ughhhh this book tore out my heart and made my head hurt from thinking about life... but I liked it. Leonard Peacock was so real to me, I wanted to reach in an hug him (or at least give him a damn birthday present!). If you want to read something life changing... read this!

My Blog:


http://pinkpolkadotbookblog.blogspot.com ( )

Full Review on NG ( )