Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock, by Matthew Quick

Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock, by Matthew Quick, was a very moving and unique book. It is told in the voice of Leonard Peacock who decides to kill his former best friend, and then commit suicide, on his 18th birthday. But before his day is over, he goes along giving a present to the four people that had mattered to him, his neighbor Walt, Lauren the girl he had a crush on, his classmate Baback, and his Holocaust teacher, Herr Silverman. Leonard wants to let them know that he had cared about them, and show that he was sorry for being the way that he was. All the while, narrating the reasons of why he was going to do this, and how those four people changed his life, and discussing why he was driven to the point of committing suicide.

This was a very touching book, and it shows the raw, gritty perspective of suicide, loneliness, and depression. It was sad at times but it was beautifully written and is the kind of book that will linger with you even after you have read the very last word on the last page. Leonard was a very interesting and complex character and by the end of the book you understand and feel sympathy for what he was going through. Overall this was a great book, that demonstrates that even though life isn't easy sometimes it will work itself out, and there is a light hidden somewhere inside of us that will never burn out.

Reviewed by Lusine M., Grade 8

Glendale Central Library