Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock by Matthew Quick -> Starting July 5th, 2022

[Aly]

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 look at a day in the life of a disturbed teenage boy, acclaimed author Matthew Quick unflinchingly examines the impossible choices that must be made—and the light in us all that never goes out

[Carrie]

I'm getting a late start on this book. I am in the middle of one that I'm going to finish w/in the next day or two and then I'll jump on this one. SORRY :/

[Carrie]

Chapters 1-14:

All I want to do is scream to everyone or someone to tell him Happy Birthday and in a weird way instead of feeling furious because I know what Leonard Peacock is planning, I feel so much empathy for him.

[Carrie]

Finished - wow, just wow. I cried so many times throughout this book. My heart broke for Leonard but I am so glad to see that even in this day in age, there are those still filled with so much compassion.

[Kira]

Joined in on this one!

Chapter 1 - 9 : (view spoiler)[I just want to give Leonard a hug even knowing what he’s about to do because it seems like he is in dire need for someone to just love and understand him but no one seems to care.. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 10 – 18 : (view spoiler)[Why is everyone so harsh towards him…..I am afraid that this book won’t end on a good note and I just don’t want that for Leonard. His future chapters are so beautiful. I am contradicting my own way of thinking rn but I hope he realises that he’ll find something to live for and life won’t be hopeless (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 19 – 24 : (view spoiler)[Ok so Lauren wasn’t my favourite character but that’s just because of my personal beliefs and I didn’t enjoy this segment much. I am wondering what Asher did to make Leonard hate him so much? I can just hope now that he doesn’t go through with the plan. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 25 – 32 : (view spoiler)[Asher is horrible? How can someone do this to another human being. These chapters made me ugly cry. Herr Silverman is an amazing character and teacher and I wish every single person had someone like him in their life if they were going through something like what Leonard had to bear. (hide spoiler)]

Finished: (view spoiler)[A BEAUTIFUL ENDING! I loved the last future letter, I am so happy for Leonard. Ofcourse he isn’t completely healed and probably never will but atleast he is on the path to move on from this horrible part of his life. I am GLAD I picked up this book or else I would have missed out on something so completely amazing. (hide spoiler)]

[Carrie]

Kira wrote: "Joined in on this one!

Chapter 1 - 9 : [spoilers removed]

Chapter 10 – 18 : [spoilers removed]

Chapter 19 – 24 : [spoilers removed]

Chapter 25 – 32 : [spoilers removed]

Finished: [spoilers rem..."

This has made me want to go and write future letters to myself.... it seems to be very therapeutic and gives one hope

[Celia]

Oh, I forgot to bring this one! I'll get to it in August when I go home hopefully.