Book Review: Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock by Matthew Quick

Leonard has a big day planned for his birthday. First he will deliver gifts. Then he will find his former best friend, and shoot him with his grandfather's P-38 WWII Nazi handgun that he took from a Nazi. He will then kill himself.

Leonard's life unfolds  in pieces, starting with his neighbor Walt who love Humphrey Bogart movies and smokes even though he's old. Then there is Baback who plays the violin, and is from Iran. Leonard has listened to him practice for years on their lunch break, despite any other interactions. There is also Herr Silverman, his Holocaust class teacher, and someone who Leonard feels gets it. Finally there is Lauren, a girl who Leonard meets in the train station, and despite completely different backgrounds Leonard swears he is in love with.

Then there is Asher, his former best friend, and current tormentor. Leonard and Asher used to do everything together and then things changed. As Leonard drifted away from Asher, Asher became more popular, and more intolerant of Leonard.

Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock is a challenging read that will make you think about people and what you really know about them. It is also about someone who is tired of trying, and does not see a clear way out of a horrible situation. Author Matthew Quick takes a tough subject and weave the past, present and future of a young man struggling to find something to live for.

Fans of books like Leverage by Joshua Cohen or books by Chris Crutcher or Chris Lynch will find this to be a powerful and thought provoking book.

I'll see you @ the library!
Katie (Now reading Eleanor and Park- it's been on my radar forever!)

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