Book Review | Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock by Matthew Quick

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.

In this riveting look at a day in the life of a disturbed teenage boy, acclaimed author Matthew Quick unflinchingly examines the impossible choices that must be made—and the light in us all that never goes out.

Pages: 273 | Format: Hardback

Review

Every now and then you get one of 'those' books. The books that don't only demand to be read, but demand to be absorbed, to be felt. The kind of book that grabs hold of you, grips you tight and won't let you go. The kind of book, that weeks and months after reading it, you still compare everything you read after it, to that book, and think 'nope, it's good but it's not as good as that book.' 

This book, is one of 'those' books. If you're looking for something that's packed full of emotion, that'll make you feel like crying, and at the same time, make you feel as if putting the book down is impossible. This is the book for you.

I have a kind of scale in my head sometimes. I have books that I love, and I can't find fault with, and so I give them a ten, because nothing else feels fair, but then there are books which go above and beyond a regular ten, and become the elite books. The ones that not only get a top rating, but make it onto my favorite books list. This is a book that trumps most of the ten's I hand out. It's earned its place with my favorite books.

Everything about this book was done so well. The characters, the narration, the storyline, the emotion, the pacing. It's truly a wonderful book, and I cannot recommend it highly enough. If you haven't read this book yet, please pick it up. It's utterly wonderful.

Rating

10/10