Forgive Me Leonard Peacock

Matthew Quick
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
ISBN 9780316221337
Genre: Young Adults

Description of the book:

In addition to the P-38, there are four gifts, one for each of my friends. I want to say good-bye to them properly. I want to give them each something to remember me by. To let them know I really cared about them and I’m sorry I couldn’t be more than I was–that I couldn’t stick around–and that what’s going to happen today isn’t their fault.

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 book, acclaimed author Matthew Quick unflinchingly examines the impossible choices that must be made–and the light in us all that never goes out.
About the author:
Matthew Quick is the New York Times bestselling author of several novels, including THE SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK, which was made into an Oscar-winning film. His work has been translated into thirty languages and has received a PEN/Hemingway Award Honorable Mention, among other accolades.
[rating=4]
My views:
Told in the first person, we get an insight into Leonard’s thoughts and insights. I didn’t take to Leonard’s character at first, finding him arrogant and condescending. But then I started to realize that he was like any young person who does not get the required attention of his parents. In Leonard’s case, he feels abandoned by his father who is a drunkard and neglected by his mother who is obsessed with her career.
While Leonard’s life seems hopeless to him, his teacher, Herr Silverman, sees through his tough exterior and encourages him to discover more of his inner dreams.
I was totally drawn into the story and kept hoping that Leonard would find hope to live.
I am not going to tell you the story  – do read it yourself! Totally worth it!  A great coming of age story.
 
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest interview.