Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock: 2 Stars

Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock by Matthew Quick

I pick this book up for one reason and one reason only: it was written by Matthew Quick. I never even looked at the back to see what it was about. I actually like picking up books and having no idea what its about. I feel like some of the synopsis of books give away details I would have preferred not to know. It's like those movie trailers that basically give you the entire summary of the movie. There was one movie a few years ago, I remember the trailer played and when it was over I thought, "Well I guess there is no reason to see that movie."

Seriously?  Isn't that basically the entire movie?

Anyhow....I digress. The back of this book did not give anything away, I just didn't read it.

Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock is a book from the perspective of a kid who has decided to kill his ex-best friend and then himself. The story revolves around his last day, as he says goodbye to the few people who seem to care. 

I did not like the book for several reasons:

1. There were footnotes on nearly every page.  I hate these because they screw up the flow of a story. 

2. I found Leonard unlikable. He was pompous and condescending. 

3. The story didn't have a real conclusion; it just...ended. 

4. The language was completely over the top.  I don't mind language, when I find it applicable to the story.  I realize this kid was angry and suicidal. I expected language. But the language was so over the top that it felt forced and unnatural. 

I guess this book just wasn't for me. 

Rating: R