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Infinite Country by Patricia Engel | Thoughts

   Published : 2021   ||    Format : print   ||    Location : Colombia ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆   What was it about the country that kept everyone hostage to its fantasy? The previous month, on its own soil, an American man went to his job at a plant and gunned down fourteen coworkers, and last spring alone there were four different school shootings. A nation at war with itself, yet people still spoke of it as some kind of paradise.. Thoughts : Infinite Country follows two characters - young Talia, who at the beginning of this book, escapes a girl’s reform school in North Colombia so that she can make her previously booked flight to the US. Before she can do that, she needs to travel many miles to reach her father and get her ticket to the rest of her family. As we follow Talia’s treacherous journey south, we learn about how she ended up in the reform school in the first place and why half her family resides in the US. Infinite Country tells the story of her family through the other protagonist, El

Light Reading: Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock by Matthew Quick


(Photo credit)
I read Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock so long ago, well more than 3 months ago, that I don't remember everything I wanted to tell you about this book. I did however like it a lot, didn't love it, and thought it was a fabulous read for anyone. This book got on my radar thanks to NetGalley. I doubt I may have read the book otherwise, though I probably would have TBR'd it.

Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock is set in a day of a boy's life and is written from his perspective. At the beginning of the book, Leonard Peacock lets us know that he is planning to kill a classmate by nightfall and then end his life. He doesn't reveal his reasons for such a macabre plan yet but proceeds on to insist that he needs to give farewell presents to four people before he carries out his plan. Of course, the recipients shouldn't get too suspicious about why they are getting gifts. The four recipients turn out to be the only people who have had a positive impact on Leonard. A teacher, a neighbor, a girl he met at a station and a boy at his school he barely talks to. It is very clear from the beginning that Leonard's life is far from cozy.

I enjoyed the format of the book. As Leonard goes from one person to the next to give his gifts, he talks about why that person is getting one, how he met that person, and oftentimes, what he will miss about that person. He very much wants someone to suspect something and stop him from carrying out his plan, but while almost everyone responds suspiciously, nobody manages to stop him, although one of them comes close. The person who is the subject of Leonard's wrath also gets a good background and you can see that Leonard is more hurt than angry about his situation.


Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock shows how easy it is to misread signals, and how much difference a parent's love and intervention can change things. Leonard doesn't even stay with his mother, who is some kind of a fashion designer in New York. I was a little disappointed that more was not said about his home life even though it was obvious that it sucked. I guess I was just shocked that his mother turned up in his life only to yell at him when he did something wrong. You could almost see that he would do wrong things just to get her attention. Barring the tiny issues, I thought this book dealt with teen issues really well, especially when it comes to what friends and parents do and don't do and what that can change in a person.



I received this ebook for free for review from the publisher via NetGalley.

Comments

Diane D said…
I enjoyed this one - I think Matthew Quick has talent and look forward to his new 2014 book as well.
bermudaonion(Kathy) said…
My stack of to be reviewed books is getting so big I'm not going to be able to remember details either. I really want to try one of Quick's books.
Sheila DeChantal said…
I have not read this author yet.
Man of la Book said…
I haven't read the author, but I also enjoy a fun read every once in a while.

http://www.ManOfLaBook.com
Helen Murdoch said…
I really liked this book and thought it was well done. It's such an important issue for teens--being heard, mattering to people that I think it's an important book
Athira / Aths said…
I didn't know he had a new book coming. I will have to look for that.
Athira / Aths said…
I've only read this one and I've heard his Silver Linings Playbook is great too. I will have to check that one next.
Athira / Aths said…
This is my first by this author. I think I may read more by him.
Athira / Aths said…
This is not really a fun read, but it is quick and thought-provoking. You should give it a try.
Athira / Aths said…
Yes.. I thought it was great the way they addressed the notion that kids need someone to listen to. That even if they planned to make havoc, deep down they are kids looking for attention.
MedeiaSharif said…
I'll add it to my wish list.
Jenny @ Reading the End said…
Aaaaaah, I have to read some Matthew Quick already. Everyone loves him so!
Shweta said…
It was not what I had expected when I picked it up but Leonard Peacock amazed me. Only other author who according to me has written in a teenage voice so honest is Courtney Summers.
Athira / Aths said…
I need to read more of his books. I've heard his Silver Linings Playbook book is better than the movie version.
Athira / Aths said…
I have to give Courtney Summers a try now. I struggle with YA authors so it's nice to TBR some who write with authentic teen voices.