Rating: 
Summary: A Seperate Peace Book Review
Review: A Separate Peace, a 1959 novel by John Knowles, is one of the best books I have read in a long time. John Knowles uses so many interesting writing techniques and word twist that this book is a constant stimulant to your brain. Also John Knowles doesn't just write a book about nothing. The best thing about this book is that it makes you think about yourself and what you have done. This book focuses on looking inside of your heart and making peace with yourself rather than trying to blame and criticize others. It shows how we do act and how we naturally should act. The book is about a young high school student, Gene, who is jealous and hates his supposedly best friend. Gene, like many of us, doesn't realize where and who the true enemy is and therefore, without reason causes harm to another that will stick with him the rest of his life. As the book describes, Gene developed an enmity toward "this enemy who never attacked that way-if he ever attacked at all; if he was indeed the enemy." This book really makes you think about whom the real enemy in your life is or maybe you are the enemy. John Knowles uses such great writing to bring out this worldwide truth that it will undoubtedly change you. He symbolizes things so beautifully that it is a joy to see what he will bring up next. He uses all forms of figurative language and imagery to express his deep thoughts. His comparisons of the seasons like winter and summer with the different characters and the fact that everything has to change makes this book a classic. A Separate Peace is probably one of the most interesting and yet meaningful book you will read so I suggest that you don't pass it up.
Rating:
Summary: awesome book
Review: This is an incredible, timeless tale of a boarding school during WWII. I read it in school in 1999 and was really moved by it. Unique in its portrayal of an intricate relationship that all of us are sadly too familiar with, A Separate Peace is worth it for anyone.
Rating:
Summary: A Genuine Classic
Review: Anyone who voices complaint about lack of action or plot development has failed to look for the underlying meaning, which is in essence the entire story. The series of events involving Gene and Pheneas are just the thin outer layer, so much lies beneath. I find something new everytime I read it. It is a book to be analyzed constantly, which is why I loved it. To read into the conversation and the events proves this book to be an intricately woven emotional book. The strength of this work is the strength of its characters, making it especially wonderful for anyone needing to do a report on it. The excitement is figuring out what genuis Knowles used to create this story. The action takes place in the minds of the readers. I don't want to give anything away, but there is more than a tree, and a broken leg, and two high school boys.
Rating: 
Summary: boring
Review: the meaning of the book is clear only after intense reading...the details are extremely too in detail and do not enhance the effect of the piece.
Rating: 
Summary: Hmmmm...
Review: Most often when I read a book in school, it ruins it completely for it, but this one I enjoyed to some extent. But the pointless death at the end made me angry.
Rating:
Summary: A Separate Peace
Review: A Separate Peace by John Knowles is based during World War II in New England. If you can't interpret literature, this book may not be for you. If you are good at reading between the lines there is a better chance of your enjoying this book. It is about two teenagers, Gene and Phineas, who are good friends. However, an extreme jealousy between the two holds their friendship back. Literal level readers may be bored by the lack of action; there is not an overwhelming amount of activity in the 196 page novel. You will find a plethora of themes and connections to life and human nature in this novel. Because of its war setting, there is an omnipresent war theme. Nature plays a large part as well as biblical meaning and loss of innocence. A Separate Peace is full of universal references. The literature is supposed to teach all of the human race more about both ourselves and others. Characterization is done particularly well in the book. War has a double meaning as Gene takes on the role of the human race and the basic feelings and instincts of all people. Phineas is the "perfect" world that everyone would like to live in. There appears to be a character to cover the entire diverse world. Imagery may be another reason to read A Separate Peace. You will like the personification, war imagery, and the theme of nature that is brought out in the book. Overall, John Knowles has put together a nice piece of very relevant literature in A Separate Peace. The only drawbacks would be in the sometimes difficult messages and occasionally low suspense parts in the novel. It also has a slightly slow beginnig. I general, I would recommend reading this novel to readers of all age groups.
Rating: 
Summary: Extremely Boring
Review: This book started off slowly and I patiently waited for it to get better. But the more I read, the more bored I got and I realized that I didn't care about anything that was happening in the novel. The writing was dull as well as the characters. Gene causing Finny to break his leg and all the stuff that happened after was less than thrilling.
Rating:
Summary: review on "A Separate Peace"
Review: I usually dont like reading books, and of course I had to read this one for school. I really got into it though! It really made me think, and it kept me on the edge of my seat, waiting for what happened next. This is a GREAT book!
Rating:
Summary: A Separate Peace
Review: A Separate Peace by John Knowles is based during World War II in New england. If you can't interperate literature, this book may not be for you. If you are good at reading between the lines there is abetter chance of you enjoying this book. It is about two teenagers, Gene and Finny, who are good friends. However, an extreme jealousy between the two holds back their friendship. Literal level readers may be bored by the lack of action, there is not an overwhelming amount of activity in the 196 page novel. You will find a plethora of themes and connections to life and human nature in this novel. Because of its war setting, there is an omnipresent war theme. Nature plays a large part as well as Biblical meaning and loss of innocence. A Separate Peace is full of universal refererances. The literature is supposed to teach all of the human race more about both ourselves and others. Characterization is done particularly well in the book. War has a double meaning as Gene takes on the role of human nature and the basic feelings and instincts of all people. Phineas is the "perfect" world that everyone would like to live in. there appears to be a character to cover the entire diverse world. Imagery may be another reason to read A Separate Peace. You will like the personification, war imagery, and the theme of nature that is brought out in the book. Overall, John Knowles has put together a nice example of very relevant literature in A Separate Peace. The only drawbacks would be in the sometimes difficult messages and occasionally low suspense parts in the novel. It also has a slightly slow beginning. In general, I would recommend reading this novel to readers of all age groups.
Rating:
Summary: Disappointing
Review: Reader reviews range from 5 stars (MASTERPIECE) to 1 star ( TRASH). I come down at the 1 star level, but would not label it trash.Rather, I question the validity of the story line from beginning to end. If Knowles intended symbolism the obvious interpretation of the Cain and Abel story is so heavy handed as to be laughable. I lived through that period in time, at the age of the leading characters, who would now be in their seventies. Their attitude toward WW 2 is totally off base, and doesn't reflect the feelings of my contemporaries or me at that time. The falling from the tree premise is articial and strains credulity. As does many of the other devices used by the author. How this book achieved the status of a classic is a puzzle.
|
