Reviews

Peace Breaks Out by John Knowles

lizneuner's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

nationofkim's review against another edition

Go to review page

3.0

skip it.

gsroney's review against another edition

Go to review page

3.0

While the idea of exploring the thoughts of young men who “missed” the war that they had been indoctrinated to see as a just and certain part of their future, something seems missing here. This sequel of sorts lacks the believable and intimate characterizations of Finny and Gene from A Separate Peace, and the characters—teacher and students—mostly remain undeveloped beyond their political ideologies.

“His future was a blank, featureless wall. He had not, on some profound level, expected to have one”

“‘Destruction can be beautiful,’ he said, ‘to some people. Don't ask me why. It just is. And if they can't find anything else to destroy, then they just destroy themselves.’"

ali_jenna's review against another edition

Go to review page

2.0

I read this to get that same vibe as A Separate Peace and I was disappointed.

shanviolinlove's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

They make a reference to Finny in this book!

Not quite as powerful as A Separate Peace, but the ending haunted me. Good book for the summer.

boose's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

4.5

addisonaugaitis's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

I liked this a lot better than a separate peace, it showed some really interesting perspectives on war I never thought about before and had a pretty interesting plot

artmy_yuki's review

Go to review page

dark reflective sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

clmassey24's review

Go to review page

5.0

What an abhorrent tragedy that this wonderful novel hasn't achieved a fraction of the praise and popularity that Knowles' earlier work A Separate Peace did. Upon reading the final page of Knowles' most well-known novel, I knew that I was hooked on his writing. Elation filled me when I discovered that he had authored another novel that took place at the same school, I had to read it.

Returning to Devon was a marvel of an experience. Knowles' prose cultivates such a vivid atmosphere that, at times, I thought I could felt the cozy, autumnal chill of New Hampshire make its way through the page.

This novel has become one of the immeasurable reasons that I'm elated to be studying literature. Knowles has, over the past few weeks, become one of my favorite authors and an inspiration as I row upstream toward my literary pursuits.

elizastanley's review against another edition

Go to review page

reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0