A Separate Peace (1959)

The coming of age story set during 1941-1942. The war is in the background, but not a front and center part of the story. It is the story of two friends and their struggles in a New England boarding school. While slow moving, it is yet profound and poignant. 228 pages ( )

Originally published in 1959, A Separate Peace by John Knowles is a coming-of-age story set in a New England private boy’s school during World War II. The story is about friendship, competition and the inner doubts and fears of adolescent boys. There is a school of thought that pushes a homo-erotic dynamic as implied by the interactions between the two main characters, Gene and Phineas. This is subtle and open to an individuals’ interpretation of the relationship.

While Gene is an introvert and intellectual, Finny is an extroverted athlete who definitely has more control over their relationship. Whatever Finny wants to do, Gene, often reluctant, always follows along. As roommates, these opposites are always together. When Finny devises a daredevil club whose membership must jump from the limb of a tree into the river, Gene, although terrified, follows along. Gene admires Phineas but also is jealous of his ease with others and his ability to impress through actions. This jealousy flares up at various times, and eventually Gene acts upon impulse and this act of betrayal changes both boys forever.

A Separate Peace is beautifully written. It moves slowly but gives the reader vivid imagery and strong character development. World War II plays a vital part but always remains in the background, shaping the boy’s world, but not controlling it. The book varies itself, sometimes sad, sometimes humorous, always moving, and for me, it felt authentic to both the time and the place. ( )

I'm not at all exaggerating when I say that this novel is one of my favorite books I have ever read, especially when it comes to required reading from high school. It is a story that has really stuck with me, I think mostly because it speaks to universal human experiences.

Who hasn't experienced a bit of a rivalry with a friend? Who hasn't been driven to act out of jealousy? Who hasn't struggled with finding their place among all of those who seem to have it already "figured out"?

I think these are things we can all say we've experienced and I think it is even more poignant for adolescent males who should not find it difficult to relate to the characters, their emotions, and their actions. It's been a while since last I read it, but the imagery and the themes are ones that stick with me. ( )

A Separate Peace had to have been one of the worst books I've ever been assigned. ( )

Hands down one of my most favorite books.
Even though I normally love all the books I have had to read for school, this one is the best one I've read. ( )