FORGIVE ME, LEONARD PEACOCK by Matthew Quick (SPOILER FREE)

Title: Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock

Author: Matthew Quick

Genre: YA / Contemporary

Originally Published: 2013

Page Count: 273 pages

Published by: Headline

Date Read: 2nd August - 11th August 2014

Hello everyone, Rob here, welcome back to another review. Today I thought I'd review 'Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock' by Matthew Quick, the latest book I've finished and it turned out to be a really interesting and slightly poignant read.

Matthew Quick is the author behind the popular novel 'The Silver Linings Playlist', which was, as I'm sure we're all aware, was adapted into a film with the gorgeous Bradley Cooper and the impeccable Jennifer Lawrence. It's from the film that I've heard of Quick, though I still haven't read the source material, and instead have only read 'Boy21' by him before this book. 'Boy21' was a fantastic YA read and really captured me, resulting with me reading it all in one afternoon. After this, it's pretty clear that I was expecting high things indeed from (let's call this book from now on) Peacock.

Peacock follows Leonard Peacock on his eighteenth birthday, and what is to be his last day on earth as he plans to kill himself and his former best friend, Asher Beal. The novel is set on this one day, documenting its events. We meet characters that Leonard feels fairly attached to and whom he wishes to say goodbye. We meet an elderly Humphrey Bogart fan, a violin virtuoso, a home-schooled religious girl, and an inspiring teacher. Made up from a series of interactions with these people throughout the day and the past, as well as letters, the novel documents one boy's struggle with accepting himself and the world around him.

I must say I didn't really like Leonard, himself. I'm not sure we're supposed to. At the beginning he's arrogant and seems to think he has the whole world worked out. I feel like this was the point, that this was the mindset of our depressed protagonist, and so whilst still trying to figure him out, I continued. Leonard's interactions and actions don't seem to fit that of a seventeen/eighteen year old, which I found a bit disjointing. He describes people as "übermorons", which I thought was incredibly child-like. Again, I'm not sure if this was intention to get a sense of character or just maybe a misrepresent- ation, but I didn't mind too much as aside from the initial unlikeable-ness and childlike behaviour, Peacock became an all-too-real and devastating novel.

Leonard's desire to end his life is something so complex and tragic. His life is tormented by everyone around him, he's misunderstood by most people, and casually ignored by those who should be close to him, like his parents. He is alone, and there's only a handful of people who actually care about him.
I feel its noteworthy to mention that I finished the book an hour after I heard about the death of Robin Williams, one of the most hilarious actors of my childhood. This news combined with this character's internal turmoil just really got to me, and made me realise that life is precious and depression, suicide and mental illness are all too real.

The subject matter of this book was poignant, while the execution and writing at times was a bit odd. It's not a long book and yet it took me longer than normal to read it. I just wasn't all that enthused. Still, a really good book. Though I preferred 'Boy21'. 4 stars.