I have to say, it took me to
nearly the last few pages to fully understand and appreciate this book. For much of it, Leonard is angry, rude, and
condescending to almost everyone around him.1 He thinks himself smarter and more aware than
all of his peers, constantly criticizing them in his internal monologue for
their inability to think beyond pat responses meant for high marks on AP exams. His motivations are unclear, which makes it
difficult to comprehend why he wants commit murder-suicide. You don’t get the sense that he’s being
overtly tormented by his classmates2,
which would be the most common drive for a person to retaliate. His constant self-satisfaction and
braggadocio makes him a fairly unlikable protagonist.
However, as Leonard’s motivations
do become clear, it also becomes clear that this is a book worth reading. Like most of Leonard’s narrative, you slowly
begin to realize his turmoil is internal and self-reflective. He struggles to cope with an act committed
against him and it very nearly tears him apart from inside out. Quick’s book transcends a simple story of
revenge as the denouement reveals his actions are a cry for help. He’s been hoping that just one person will
care enough about him before he hurts himself or others.
Leonard’s life is also
illuminated by a series of letters written by his present self from the
perspective of the future. Unsure of
their purpose in the narrative, I actually skimmed over them at first. By the end, when their meaning is fully
realized, they deeply reveal the true nature of his character. I ended up going back to read them more closely
and his last letter, which closes the book, nearly had me in tears.
Quick has created a character that will resonate with readers. Leonard is young male who, as a person who spends most of his time in his own headspace, is constantly battling his dark emotions and inner demons until he is finally able to speak up and give himself a chance at tomorrow.
Quick has created a character that will resonate with readers. Leonard is young male who, as a person who spends most of his time in his own headspace, is constantly battling his dark emotions and inner demons until he is finally able to speak up and give himself a chance at tomorrow.
Some similar reads for this book are:
~Meredith T.
1 There are also a number of footnotes scattered throughout the book that I found fairly obnoxious. I couldn’t quite grasp why the information within them wasn’t incorporated into the text.↩
2 He’s a self-proclaimed outsider, misfit, and weirdo. Mostly, he despises his peers and generally wants nothing to do with them. See how annoying these footnotes are? Why isn’t this just another sentence in the corresponding paragraph?↩
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