Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock
by Matthew Quick
Published: August 13th 2013 (hardcover and papaerback)
Publisher: Headline
Genre: Contemporary, YA
"How would you spend your birthday if you knew it would be your last?
Eighteen-year-old Leonard Peacock knows exactly what he'll do. He'll say goodbye.
Not to his mum - who he calls Linda because it annoys her - who's moved out and left him to fend for himself. Nor to his former best friend, whose torments have driven him to consider committing the unthinkable. But to his four friends: a Humphrey-Bogart-obsessed neighbour, a teenage violin virtuoso, a pastor's daughter and a teacher.
Most of the time, Leonard believes he's weird and sad but these friends have made him think that maybe he's not. He wants to thank them, and say goodbye."-taken from Goodreads
by Matthew Quick
Published: August 13th 2013 (hardcover and papaerback)
Publisher: Headline
Genre: Contemporary, YA
"How would you spend your birthday if you knew it would be your last?
Eighteen-year-old Leonard Peacock knows exactly what he'll do. He'll say goodbye.
Not to his mum - who he calls Linda because it annoys her - who's moved out and left him to fend for himself. Nor to his former best friend, whose torments have driven him to consider committing the unthinkable. But to his four friends: a Humphrey-Bogart-obsessed neighbour, a teenage violin virtuoso, a pastor's daughter and a teacher.
Most of the time, Leonard believes he's weird and sad but these friends have made him think that maybe he's not. He wants to thank them, and say goodbye."-taken from Goodreads
Its hard to write my feelings about this book, I went into it with a little apprehension because although I liked Silver Linings Playbook by the same author I didn't love it and did find it slightly odd. Obviously the subject of this book isn't a happy go lucky novel and I did find it pretty difficult to find myself feeling connected to the story.
Leonard is not a likeable character, I felt no feelings for him but then I don't think that that is the purpose of the book, maybe you are supposed to feel detached and simply follow him on his journey on his 18th birthday. The world building is completely lacking with almost no description of Leonard's settings, I think Quick relies on the fact that it is set in a modern 'real' world and so you would use your own knowledge to place him in the settings.
The graphology (layout) of this book was pretty interesting, often changing the layout of the text, the font or the spacing. It made the story seem more intriguing even if the story did not. I finished this book within about 2 hours so its fairly short but I did find myself feeling detached and uninterested. The last third of the book however, is what saves this book. Its the only part that I felt made the story realistic and make the character feel less like a robot.
I can see why other people would find comfort in this book and love the character of Leonard, unfortunately it just didn't resonate with me.
2.5/5 STARS
*I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review*
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