A Separate Peace by John Knowles Summary and Reviews
|
List Price: Our Price: $4.89 You Save: $5.11 (51%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $1.60 (click here) Category: Book See more book details and other editions |
|---|
Book Reviews of A Separate Peace
Book Review: Very Well Written 5 Stars
I remember reading this book when I was in high school in the 1970's and as a Midwestern girl I had a bit of trouble relating to both the time (World War II) and place (an exclusive boys' "prep" school in New Hampshire that I have read is to those in the know obviously Phillips Exeter). I also remember not really getting what was the big deal about Gene shaking the tree. Even if he did it with malice at that moment he certainly didn't want things to turn out for Finny as they did.Reading it again as an adult I was struck by Knowles' fine writing and I now "get" Gene's anguish over his actions. I also understand the historical context and the prep school boys' positions as future troops. Leper and Brinker's characters and their contributions to the story are also more meaningful to me. But would I pick this as a book for today's students to read? Maybe if it was a more advanced class and it was taught in conjunction with a history class on World War II. Otherwise, sadly, I'm afraid Gene, Finny and the rest of Devon School will not engage most of today's average young readers. However this is a beautifully written, thoughtful read for more sophisticated readers of any age.
More A Separate Peace reviews:
1 2
1 2