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A Separate Peace

Book 1 in the series:Seperate Peace

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A Separate Peace by John Knowles is a coming of age story set in a New England prep school during the years of WWII. The novel explores the complex relationship between two boys, Gene and Finny, as they navigate friendship, jealousy, and the impact of one fateful incident that changes their lives forever. Through vivid descriptions of the school's atmosphere and the characters' internal struggles, Knowles delves into themes of rivalry, betrayal, love, and forgiveness, all set against the backdrop of a world at war. The narrative unfolds through a mix of introspective monologues and poignant reflections, capturing the essence of adolescence and the challenges of growing up during tumultuous times.

The book is praised for its exploration of male friendship, the nuances of adolescent psychology, and the themes of self-examination and personal growth. The characters, particularly Gene and Finny, are depicted as multi-dimensional and relatable, reflecting the fragility and complexities of youth. Knowles' writing style is noted for its profound and poetic nature, with readers appreciating the depth of emotions and the timeless reflections on the nature of relationships and the struggle to define one's identity amidst external pressures.

Characters:

The characters are complex, with Gene's introspection and Finny's charisma driving the emotional core of the story, reflecting deep themes of friendship and rivalry.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is characterized by elegant prose and vivid imagery that engages the reader, while also exploring complex emotional landscapes through reflective storytelling.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot focuses on the intense friendship and rivalry between two boys at a boarding school, culminating in a tragic event that significantly impacts their lives and explores themes of jealousy, guilt, and the effects of war.

Setting:

The setting of a New England boarding school during WWII greatly influences the narrative, creating a microcosm that reflects the characters' struggles.

Pacing:

The pacing is generally slow, allowing for deep character exploration, but it can be perceived as dragging in parts.
I went back to the Devon School not long ago, and found it looking oddly newer than when I was a student there fifteen years before. It seemed more sedate than I remembered it, more perpendicular and ...

Notes:

The story is set in a New England prep school during World War II.
The main characters are Gene and Finny, who have a complex friendship.
Gene is academically gifted but struggles with jealousy towards Finny, an athletic and charismatic boy.
The book explores themes of friendship, jealousy, and the loss of innocence.
A pivotal moment in the story occurs when Gene shakes a tree branch, causing Finny to fall and become injured.
Finny's injury represents the end of his athletic career and deeply affects their friendship.
The novel highlights the impact of war, even when not directly depicted, as the boys prepare for possible enlistment.
Some readers link Gene and Finny's relationship to homoerotic undertones, adding depth to their interactions.
The narrative raises questions about guilt and responsibility, particularly regarding Gene's role in Finny's accident.
The title 'A Separate Peace' suggests a unique peace found within the personal struggles of the characters amidst the larger conflict of war.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings for A Separate Peace include themes of jealousy, betrayal, depression, and the effects of war. The story contains emotional turmoil and physical injury.

From The Publisher:

Nominated as one of America's best-loved novels by PBS's The Great American Read.

An American classic and great bestseller for over thirty years, A Separate Peace is timeless in its description of adolescence during a period when the entire country was losing its innocence to World War II.

Set at a boys' boarding school in New England during the early years of World War II, A Separate Peace is a harrowing and luminous parable of the dark side of adolescence. Gene is a lonely, introverted intellectual. Phineas is a handsome, taunting, daredevil athlete. What happens between the two friends one summer, like the war itself, banishes the innocence of these boys and their world.

Ratings (54)

Incredible (7)
Loved It (16)
Liked It (7)
It Was OK (14)
Did Not Like (5)
Hated It (5)

Reader Stats (99):

Read It (60)
Want To Read (28)
Not Interested (11)

4 comment(s)

Loved It
3 months

what a much better coming of age novel than

catcher in the stupid rye

this novel sings, it has undertones for days, the characters have layers that could be dissected forever

it speaks of love in ways that so many writers are afraid to do, and the weird jealous love of adolescent friendships

 
3 months

Much to think about

 
Incredible
3 months

For some reason I made it through high school without this ever appearing on the required reading list, even though classmates had it assigned in their English classes. I picked it up on my own sometime during my senior year and read it. I remember greatly enjoying this book. An interesting coming-of-age tale, the depiction of friendship is strange and intriguing. The main character is actually quite jealous of his best friend, providing an interesting dynamic that one rarely sees in literature, where male bonding is usually lauded. Also provides a look into the American boarding school, which is quite different from my own public school upbringing. There is also the looming threat of war and the subsequent loss of innocence always hanging over these schoolboys' heads as they rush towards adulthood. I would love to give this another read and see if my opinion of it has changed as I've gotten older.

 
Did Not Like
3 months

Characters were not likable.

 

About the Author:

John Knowles (1926-2001) was a graduate of Phillips Exeter Academy and Yale University, as well as a recipient of the William Faulkner Award and the Rosenthal Award of the National Institute of Arts and Letters. His books include Separate Peace, Peace Breaks Out, and The Paragon.

 
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