A Separate Peace

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Summary: One of the most important and compelling books ever.
Review: It took me a while and careful reading to truly appreciate this great work. Not only is the plot of this book an intellectual treat, but it is written ingeniously. Yes -- it can be read as simple entertainment or for its plot value, but a deeper reading reveals much more. Various themes continue to popup, and Knowles uses his language brilliantly. A second reading will also show parallel plots -- and the relationship between the two main characters develops interestingly, and their character traits frequently merge and switch. Its ultimate conclusion about civilisation v. savagery and its role inside all of us is chilling. Very similar to Lord of the Flies in several respects. Worth a read, and your experience will be greatly enhanced if you take time to read it multiple times.

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Summary: One of the most powerful and moving books I have ever read.
Review: I was forced to read this book for an English class when I was 16 and was dreading it because I had heard it was such a difficult book to understand. However, when I read the book for the second time I began to understand how wonderfully John Knowles crafted this masterpiece- every word, every image has its specific purpose and carries us deeper into the totally believable love/hate relationship of Phineas and Gene. I would recommend this book to anyone and especially to those in close friendships who will definitely be able to relate to this powerful story.

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Summary: I love the Simpsons for bashing this.
Review: On a Simpsons episode Lisa said "I hate John knowles" ,if we're talking about his writing since I don't know him personally, I couldn't agree more. Well maybe he wrote something else that was good, but I don't intend to find out. If mentioning the Simpsons makes me sound like a moron I'd like to say I've enjoyed some Steinbeck, Rousseau, deMaupassant, Pirandello, & Tolstoy. All the "likeable" characters died or went insane. This is the worst excuse of a pseudo-intellectual mess I've ever read. I had to read it in High School, but there are better books out there for High Schoolers. So many in fact it's sad people assign this disturbing trash. However... I remember, it's been years, that some of my former classmates liked it so maybe it taps into something I'm not getting. Here's hoping I never do.

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Summary: Fantastic. A must read.
Review: I thought this book was very good when I was in high school, but after experiencing college and the friendships and relationships that occur away from home, the book has a much greater impact. A must reread.

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Summary: A realistic presentation of life!
Review: It was difficult to interpret at times, but captures the ambiance of the pre-war and war era. This novel makes one appreciate the deep impact friendship can have. Phineas was incredibly unique but believable by the reader. In any case, the pink shirt was hilarious!

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Summary: Life Changing
Review: I read this book as an 11 year old adolescent...it changed and shaped my life in ways that transcend thought....it shaped my young adult-hood and shaped me as an adult in a world touched by conflict and tenuous resolution.

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Summary: Extrodanary
Review: I have just finished "A Seperate Peace". I was required to read it for my upcoming ninth grade enlish course. This book reached into me and touched my soul. It was very well written and shows true pain and self-realization. This book has reastablished my joy of reading and reaffermed my understanding of loss. I feel that this book has helped me to understand the human sub-conscience and emotions. I was able to relate to this book as I have never been able to do with any other piece of literature. This book shows the pain and sorrow of life and the awakening of one body to the true spirit of life. I feel that this is the best book ever written and send my thanks and appreciation to the author.

Rating:
Summary: Pleasing and well written
Review: At first I wasn't sure I wanted to read it, I felt a little pressured into it and I didn't know what it was about. It's a story about freindship and I couldn't put it down. I could relate my self to Gene but not his relationship with Finny. I thought it was well written and had some very good messages to it. I laughed, I cried, and that's it. I felt as if I was there watching the whole thing. It's definately in my top 10 favorites. I have to recommend this book. Especially to anyone who's had a strong friendship. It's a heartbreaker

Rating:
Summary: twisted but a good read
Review: I thought this book was very good, one of the best I've read so far. The friendship between Gene and Finny is twisted yet believable. Everyone at one point or another is jealous of their friend(s) because of one of their characteristics or traits, but Gene's jealousy was taken too far. Finny's character is unbelievable because he is so perfect, but the other characters balanced him out perfectly. I thought Leper's craziness at the end of the novel really characterized the hell of war.

Rating:
Summary: An excellent novel worth savoring
Review: This is a classic work-not a single word wasted. It has vital characters and dead-perfect descriptions of New England in all seasons. It's a quiet book, maybe too subtle for some people to appreciate. The experience of reading it is perfectly summed up by Leper's description of downhill skiing in Chapter 7. If you rush through it, "You never get to see the trees or anything." There's a lot worth seeing in this book. I wish I had read it ten years ago. I was sad to see it end. In fact, I turned right back to page one and started again. Chapter one is even richer the second time around.