A Separate Peace

Reader reviewed by P.G. Sherrie

John Knowles' A Separate Peace stands apart in the coming-of-age genre.  There is an immediacy in the book surrounding the mysterious event between Gene and Phineas that encapsulates all the headiness of adolescence.  Set in a New England all-boys prep school in the early years of WWII, A Separate Peace captures a piece of American history through a specialized segment of the population. Although the upper-class prep school may not be a setting which many readers can relate to, the issues of growing up, jealousy, and friendship are essential aspects of humanity, and cause the novel to appeal to a wide audience.

Reader reviewed by abscae

This isn't a war book, it is about two characters during the war. They are two kids at a school, near of the age where they can get drafted, yet half of the book is about them enjoying that freedom. The other half is of how that freedom can be taken away.

I don't know why, but many people didn't like this book in my English class. I did, and whenever I heard someone complain, I'd want to say something against it. I don't know if it's just because I love books and look at them in a different perspective, or they truly didn't like it. I thought this book was fabulous just because of the subject matter it brought up as well as thematic elements.

Reader reviewed by Mi-chan

A slow moving book that really catches the attention. It may not get to the point of high suspense like other books can but it still keeps the readers attention. A very good book the description of the surroundings are very vivid, and the characters each have their own personality, they are different from each other by so much. I would really recommend this book to those who like calm real reads.

Reader reviewed by missy

I loved it. The plot moved along well. The writing was wonderful. I reconmend it to anyone. I liked how the past played into it. It had a nice twist.