Book leads readers to think before they act

A story containing strong emotion and taboo topics, “Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock,” by Matthew Quick, chronicles a teenage boy who sets out to kill himself and another boy, Asher Beal.

Covering the controversial topic of school shootings, bullying, sexual assault, and internal conflict, this book delivers a story that you will not soon forget. Considering the fact that you know this boy, Leonard, is about to go kill someone and commit suicide, you should hate him, or even dislike him but after hearing his story you can do neither. His sincerity, his truth, his gifts for four very important people to him, and his methodical steps taken throughout this novel show you that there is much more to this boy and this story than what meets the eye. It brings light to what we can all do to help prevent tragedies like this in real life, it brings light to all those who feel the way Leonard has and never spoke up, it brings light to those who had those same thoughts and never acted.

This book does not glorify what Leonard plans for but it lends understanding to a side that we never get to see. In conflicts such as these, the shooter is never portrayed as a victim, but bullying is not a victimless crime. If you are looking for a book that will shock you, shake you, make you consider your own actions, and seek to make a change, consider this; consider remembering and forgiving Leonard Peacock.