TRIGGERED: Dark tale of anxiety, pain worth exploration

By Sydney See

“Forgive Me Leonard Peacock” by Matthew Quick is an intense and very dark thriller that pulls you in, and makes you want more.

The story starts with a 17-year-old boy on his birthday. However, he is planning on shooting his old friend, then himself, with his grandfather’s P-38 pistol. The whole novel takes place all in one day, and shows how his thoughts evolve and the process for the events soon to happen.

Throughout the story, Leonard goes to four people that have affected his life: his Humphrey Bogart-loving neighbor, his violin playing friend from school Baback, his crush Lauren and his teacher Herr. He wanted to give them gifts because they were the few people that made life as good as it could be for him. You can tell that he really cares for these people, but it still doesn’t change his decision and plans.

Yes, this is a very intense novel, and it definitely has some touchy subjects, but it’s definitely worth the read. More than likely you also won’t relate a lot to the main character, though some could understand and relate to the anxiety and depression that Leonard faces. As you progress through the novel, you get to see memories and view Leonard from a funnier and happier perspective.

This wonderful novel shows anxiety and pain to its core. As I said before, it can get very intense, but the story is nothing like I have ever read before. It gives a different perspective to a hurt teenager and how he copes with pain. I recommend this novel to those who want a new kind of story, and want a novel that they won’t be able to put down.