about the book
Leonard Peacock feels let down by all the adults in his life, and his classmates seem like blind, unquestioning sheep to him. Unhappiness has made him convinced that only more sadness is waiting for him in the future.
Leonard takes his grandfather’s WWII P-38 pistol to school one day, intending on shooting his former best friend, then himself.
Before he does that, Leonard revisits all his favorite places and the important people in his life: the old movie-loving neighbor; a classmate whose skill in music Leonard admires; his favorite teacher; and a girl who often hands out religious tracts at the train station.
Leonard himself doesn’t really know why he is doing this. Maybe he secretly believes there is more to life than what he has planned, and he is hoping that one of these people will give him reason to go on living…
about the author
Matthew Quick, usually called “Q,” has authored several bestselling books, including The Silver Linings Playbook, which was turned into an Oscar-winning movie.
Born in Philadelphia, Q was then across the Delaware River in New Jersey. He graduated from La Salle University with a double-major in English and education. For several years after college, he taught high school literature and film, and coached soccer and basketball in his off-time.
In 2004, Q decided to quit teaching and follow his dream of becoming a fiction writer. He earned a Masters of Fine Arts in Creative Writing and has been writing ever since.
Q lives with his wife, Alicia Bessette, a novelist herself as well as a piano player.
Sources:
Author website
Book trailer: Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock
Also by Matthew Quick:
Every Exquisite Thing. Little, Brown Books for Young Readers. 2016.
Boy 21. Little, Brown and Company. 2012.
Sorta Like a Rock Star. Little, Brown and Company. 2010.
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