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3.82 AVERAGE
3.82 AVERAGE
I had a really hard time rating this book and it's probably between 3 and 4 stars for me - it's beautifully written, I loved how inventive Quick was in telling the story, and I found myself really engrossed in the book thanks to its short chapters. However, I read We Need To Talk About Kevin earlier this year and it affected me so deeply that it definitely influences my feelings about Leonard Peacock. Still, I'm glad I read it and I want to read the rest of Quick's books ASAP.
"Different is good. But different is hard."
This book really depressed me at the beginning and I was close to not finishing it at all but I'm glad that I did finish it because by the end of the book my opinion on it somewhat changed as I learned of the past events that had a severe effect on Leonard.
My heart really went out to him and when he told Silverman that it was his birthday and no one remembered, I felt my heart completely shatter. I wished so often while reading that I could jump through the book and do everything in my ability to help Leonard and help him see his worth and significance.
I kind of wish we got a clear idea of where Leonard ended up because with how it ended it seemed like there were many questions left unanswered. And the biggest one being what happens to Leonard? Does he live on and find that happy future that he very much deserves to have?
I found this book/Leonard's narration bluntly honest at some points but also considering his negative view on the world and people (with fair reason), it kind of forces you to think about things that most people would prefer to turn a blind eye to. It makes them uncomfortable and sad which is kind of what happened with me.
Overall I wouldn't say I fully enjoyed this book but that's just because of some of my personal feelings and that I would've liked to see where Leonard ended up. It was a good book though and it did have parts where it was inspiring and thought provoking mostly during the parts between Leonard and Herr Silverman.
This book really depressed me at the beginning and I was close to not finishing it at all but I'm glad that I did finish it because by the end of the book my opinion on it somewhat changed as I learned of the past events that had a severe effect on Leonard.
My heart really went out to him and when he told Silverman that it was his birthday and no one remembered, I felt my heart completely shatter. I wished so often while reading that I could jump through the book and do everything in my ability to help Leonard and help him see his worth and significance.
I kind of wish we got a clear idea of where Leonard ended up because with how it ended it seemed like there were many questions left unanswered. And the biggest one being what happens to Leonard? Does he live on and find that happy future that he very much deserves to have?
I found this book/Leonard's narration bluntly honest at some points but also considering his negative view on the world and people (with fair reason), it kind of forces you to think about things that most people would prefer to turn a blind eye to. It makes them uncomfortable and sad which is kind of what happened with me.
Overall I wouldn't say I fully enjoyed this book but that's just because of some of my personal feelings and that I would've liked to see where Leonard ended up. It was a good book though and it did have parts where it was inspiring and thought provoking mostly during the parts between Leonard and Herr Silverman.
The Good and The Bad of "Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock"
The Bad - This book is an issue book, and like most books that deal with teen issues, it's over-hyped. That hype can create unfair expectations, because though this book is good, it wasn't incredible. The plot was predictable and the main character got on my nerves. I found myself wanting him to just get it over with, which is a HORRIBLE reaction to have. Plus, there are tons of footnotes that are tangents or give backstory. Some are really long. That's a style thing that some readers may find quirky and true to the character's fragmented way of thinking, but the footnotes have the negative effect of taking the reader out of the story. And sometimes that reader just won't come back. My boyfriend only got to page 34 and stopped reading - the footnotes drove him nuts!
The Good - There were lots of neat moments, like how Leonard followed adults on their daily commute and noted how they all looked so miserable, and concluded that there was no point in living like that. Interesting observation. Walt was also a cool character. And I liked how Leonard's mom was an awful mom right to the end. It felt realistic not to have that subplot resolve.
The Conclusion - It's hard to like a book but hate the main character. I'm supposed to sympathize with Leonard. He had shitty things happen to him. But he had this self-righteous side of his personality that got on my nerves. He despised his classmates in a way that made me think, "Dude, no wonder you're lonely and have no friends!" But as people, we're all different, and other readers may like Leonard. To each his own.
The Bad - This book is an issue book, and like most books that deal with teen issues, it's over-hyped. That hype can create unfair expectations, because though this book is good, it wasn't incredible. The plot was predictable and the main character got on my nerves. I found myself wanting him to just get it over with, which is a HORRIBLE reaction to have. Plus, there are tons of footnotes that are tangents or give backstory. Some are really long. That's a style thing that some readers may find quirky and true to the character's fragmented way of thinking, but the footnotes have the negative effect of taking the reader out of the story. And sometimes that reader just won't come back. My boyfriend only got to page 34 and stopped reading - the footnotes drove him nuts!
The Good - There were lots of neat moments, like how Leonard followed adults on their daily commute and noted how they all looked so miserable, and concluded that there was no point in living like that. Interesting observation. Walt was also a cool character. And I liked how Leonard's mom was an awful mom right to the end. It felt realistic not to have that subplot resolve.
The Conclusion - It's hard to like a book but hate the main character. I'm supposed to sympathize with Leonard. He had shitty things happen to him. But he had this self-righteous side of his personality that got on my nerves. He despised his classmates in a way that made me think, "Dude, no wonder you're lonely and have no friends!" But as people, we're all different, and other readers may like Leonard. To each his own.
Painful. So incredibly painful to read Leonard's story. His whole life is a cry for help. We must do better for the young adults like Leonard in our world. Well crafted story and the narrator (I listened to the audio book) was excellent.
Forgive ME, Leonard Peacock, for forgetting what it felt like to be 18. I was brilliant and scared and lonely and confused and smart and beautiful and awkward and...
even...
... suicidal.
This book hit the mark in a way I didn't think possible. All teenagers are hormonal and dramatic and clever and needy and independent. They are smarter, more observant, and more analytic than often given credit for. Even without some sick abuse or parental neglect.
Leonard Peacock was a typical teenager. He had secrets. He suffered. He wanted to inflict some suffering while ending his own. He was often seen, but invisible. Noticed, but ignored.
Haven't you ever felt that way?
even...
... suicidal.
This book hit the mark in a way I didn't think possible. All teenagers are hormonal and dramatic and clever and needy and independent. They are smarter, more observant, and more analytic than often given credit for. Even without some sick abuse or parental neglect.
Leonard Peacock was a typical teenager. He had secrets. He suffered. He wanted to inflict some suffering while ending his own. He was often seen, but invisible. Noticed, but ignored.
Haven't you ever felt that way?
This was okay. I've just read this story before. Mr. Q it is time to change it up. All of the stories involve an emotionally damaged main character with an obsession: an ex-wife, a dog, basketball, or Bogart. Oh yeah and they always live around Philadelphia. Each one struggles and has unique/humorous quirks, but then everything is always resolved through persistence and love from friends/family. I like the message and I love the writing - Mr. Q writes how I think, but the recipe needs to be changed. It feels as though a John Green slump of the manic pixie dream girl is setting in but rather with a lovable psycho. Leonard, Finley, Pat..
I disliked the footnotes. Loathed is actually more the word. If something is that long it should be important enough to be in the main text. Not printed microscopically at the bottom of the page.
I had a hard time making a connection with Leonard. Maybe because his problems were so incredibly first world. Maybe because I was frustrated with reading the same character again. Oh, and who has a class focusing on the morals of the Holocaust in high school? No one. That my friend is a college course even if you are in all AP classes. There just simply isn't time for electives like that with all of today's requirements. Also the writing from the future was a major WTF moment that I feel really didn't add much depth as was probably intended.
All in all, I was just expecting more. Not a bad book, just nothing to make it stand out.
I disliked the footnotes. Loathed is actually more the word. If something is that long it should be important enough to be in the main text. Not printed microscopically at the bottom of the page.
I had a hard time making a connection with Leonard. Maybe because his problems were so incredibly first world. Maybe because I was frustrated with reading the same character again. Oh, and who has a class focusing on the morals of the Holocaust in high school? No one. That my friend is a college course even if you are in all AP classes. There just simply isn't time for electives like that with all of today's requirements. Also the writing from the future was a major WTF moment that I feel really didn't add much depth as was probably intended.
All in all, I was just expecting more. Not a bad book, just nothing to make it stand out.
This is a heavy book. It starts on Leonard's birthday and he goes to school with a Nazi gun and a plan to kill a classmate and himself. So yeah, a little heavy. It's really well written, and I came away thinking hard about a lot of things. Loved it.
It took me a little to get pulled in to this book. Leonard wasn't immediately love able but I did really enjoy his voice by the end. I loved the proximity to Philly. It made me not at all nostalgic for high school, and empathize on how freaking hard it must be to be a teacher. The "it gets better" mantra seemed to be playing over and over (& thank god it's true!)
It took me a little to get pulled in to this book. Leonard wasn't immediately love able but I did really enjoy his voice by the end. I loved the proximity to Philly. It made me not at all nostalgic for high school, and empathize on how freaking hard it must be to be a teacher. The "it gets better" mantra seemed to be playing over and over (& thank god it's true!)
Not for the faint of heart, but a stunning novel just the same.
This was intense. It was definitely difficult to read but also important to read, especially now as a teacher. But also as a former teenager who felt like things could never get better. They do.
This was rather brilliant to read and of course I found myself crying a couple of times through it! I especially liked the relationship between Leo and Herr Silverman, I found it so unbelievable precious. The only disappointing thing was the ending. I didn't want it to end like that and it annoyed me that the mother not only ruined most of the main character's life but also had to ruin the actual story.