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Summary: This is my all-time favorite novel...even 20 years later.
Review: Yes, it's short. No, it's not exceedingly witty or complex. But the story of Gene and Phineas has stayed with me for 20 years and several re-readings. Why? It reveals the truth in all of us: We are both good and evil, selfless and selfish, self-loathing and proud. These are classic themes that will always appear in literature. But, for some reason, the innocence of adolescence during the innocent time of pre-World War II America seems sacred...how could such darkness seep in? Hundreds of novels later, I'm still intrigued.
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Summary: The one horror of English Class
Review: I'm a sophomore who was required to read this novel over summer vacation. Sorry to say, but from the first page to the last, I had an extremely hard time keeping my eyes open. I consider this a very short novel, but it took me more than a week to finish it. Also, I found this story quite hard to understand. The characters seem very drab and don't have much of a personality. I had to write an essay on what I learned from this book, but nothing came to mind. It was a completely waste of my time. I've read much longer, but interesting books in two days. This boring book caused me to procrastinate and I still don't get the main point of this novel. Anyways, thank you for reading my opinion.
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Summary: My second love of my life
Review: I loved this book. I loved the way the language in this book just stood out. It was so vivid. My favorite character was Phineas. He had so much charisma, that he stood out and indeed was unique.
I also liked the narrator, Gene. He had a lot of symapthy. But I liked them both. I loved the book in every way and form.
Rating: 
Summary: The English Class Nightmare
Review: I saw all of the glorious reviews the others gave this book, soI felt it was my duty to inform you, the reader, of the opinion ofeveryone I know who has read this book. Not only is it written completely pedantically, but there is minimal character development and one-dimensional emotion. Like the rest of the high school students out there, I was forced to read the book, and got little out of it. The plot borders on ridiculous and the fact that it is considered a classic truly astounds me.
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Summary: Read this book as an adult; was still moving and relevant.
Review: I read this book as an adult, and still found it moving and relevant. It is simply an enthralling, moving story with well-rounded characters and excellent imagery. I read this book several years after learning of the death of one of my very best friends in college. Our friendship was as sincere and deep as that between Gene and Finney. Some of the experiences we shared were similar, and like Gene, I think about my friend quite frequently, to this day. There was an instance in which I caused my friend some very mild physical harm (nothing like Finney's broken leg, however) which I had felt guilty about ever since. Gene and Finney's story made me examine myself during those times. The answers I found were somewhat different from Gene's own self-discoveries, but the process of examination after the pain of a friendship cut short by death was it's own form of healing after the death of my friend. Thank you, John Knowles
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Summary: My students were enchanted by this novel
Review: I taught this book to a group of ninth graders this past fall.
I chose it because it is one of my top five books of all time.
I was reluctant to read it with them, for I would have taken it pretty hard
if even a few of the students had not liked the book.
My fears were ridiculous; they adored the novel and its characters
and even now, they refer to it in discussions of other books and even in casual discussion.
Three of my students decided to make their own movie of the book with a little handheld video camera. The final film product showed so much care, so much love for Knowles' writing and the book's main characters.
Phineas and Gene are more real to my students than most of the people in their
lives. A Separate Peace changes its readers; we all grow up a little or a lot reading this book. God, is it a gem
Rating:
Summary: A very moving novel.
Review: I was assigned to read this book in high school last year, and unlike most books that are required reading for a class, I actually enjoyed it. It was a very moving novel and I cried when Phineas died even though I was sitting in study hall when I was reading it
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Summary: Timeless
Review: I first read this book in high school about 10 years ago, and I re-read it periodically. It seems that it is very popular with males, but I think there are lessons here for females (like myself) as well. The story itself is relevant as long as you still question why you present yourself to the world in the way that you do, your true beliefs, and the motivations behind your actions, and your interactions. At 24, I find the story relevant in a different manner than I did at age 15. This is the definition of a true classic; timeless. Read it when you are young, and review it over the years. You'll probably change some of your interpretations, but the story itself never ages
Rating:
Summary: My favorite book of all time!!!!!!!!!!
Review: An amazing achievement: I have read A SEPARATE PEACE over thirty times since high school, and it remains fresh and vital with each re-reading. Knowles' compelling examination of the importance of love and the cancer that is war is timeless despite being set over fifty years ago. He has created characters that stay with you long after the heart-rending denouement. In spite of the tragic ending, this is ultimately a life-affirming work, one that has informed my world view more than any other book. A bookseller for nearly eleven years, I rejoice every time I can recommend and sell it
Rating:
Summary: Fascinating, poignant story of two boys growing to be men.
Review: This book inspired me in several ways when I first read it in school nearly 15 years ago. It is a touching story of two friends in a prep school who encounter personal tragedy caused by circumstance and war.
There are too many things about it that compelled me to list them all here, but perhaps the most memorable was a scene in which the protaginist tracks down a friend who deserted from the army only to find that the ravages of war have caused him to lose his mind.
This novel created an image in my mind of New England and prep schools to which I still cling today. Even though this novel was written decades ago, it is still a powerful and sobering reminder of the tragedies of youth.
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