| Book Review: A Separate Peace By: Alison Moore A Separate Peace, written in 1957, is set at a boy’s boarding school in 1942, during the thick of World War II. Though the only female that ever appears in the book is a minor and inconsequential character, this book is still one I would recommend to girls and boys alike. The story it shares and the questions that are asked within its pages can resonate with readers of any age or background; they are universal, touching, and relevant in our current society as our country continues to grapple with the Iraq War. The main character and narrator of A Separate Peace is Gene, an awkward adolescent from the South trying to find his place at his competitive New England school. Gene and his friends have just finished their junior year at the Devon School and are nearing seventeen years old. This means they are a little more than a year away from being eligible for an Army Draft. The book begins during the summer session at Devon, while Gene and his best friend Phineas are trying to keep up with their studies, ignore the looming threat of war, and enjoy themselves as much as they can during their last summer before they are forced into an early adulthood. Gene is an insecure and thoughtful character; his musings, hopes and fears guide the plot. He stands in stark contrast to the easy-going, charismatic, and popular Phineas. Gene has confusing feelings of fondness and jealousy towards his friend, and as much as he adores and looks up to Phineas, he also wants to prove himself superior. Towards the end of their summer at Devon, the slightest bit of pressure between the boys leads to a heartbreaking accident. Gene comes to the startling realization that small actions can have devastating effects, and that not every wound can be healed. As Gene unsteadily faces a future filled with war and loss of innocence, he does his best to find internal peace and balance, away from the evils of the outside world. He also begins to understand that his complicated relationship with his best friend will define the rest of his life. John Knowles, the author of A Separate Peace, is a fantastic writer. The beautiful language he employs and the wrenching emotions that run through his words make the novel wonderful and haunting. The themes he explores are serious, and as a reader, you feel the weight upon Gene’s shoulders as well as Phineas’s love for life. Anyone who has ever had a complicated relationship with a friend can relate to the struggle between the two boys. And anyone who has or wonders what it is like to face a war or another life changing occurrence at a young age might find understanding between the pages of this book. Since I am a young woman, I wondered if I might feel a connection with the male characters, but within the first few pages there was no doubt left in my mind that this story is for anyone. A Separate Peace is a book that will move you and leave you feeling different than you did when you opened its cover. I encourage anyone who is looking for a means to bring forth personal reflection to use this book as a way to do so. |
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