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3.46 AVERAGE
3.46 AVERAGE
I read this book some ten years ago or so for my middle school class. I remembered reading it, but the ending was vague up until a certain point when it all came crashing into me. Reading it now, all these years later, for the second time... was more pure and painful a torture than the one I called this book when I said it was "boring and dull" for class; "pointless," "torturous," and what have you. No... this time around, I read it not remembering much of anything until I was almost at the end and it hit me so sharply that it was like a slap to the face.
This book hurts. At first it was wonderful, it made me smile, it gave off a flirty, youthful enjoyment. And then it became twisted and horrible in a demeaning, small, selfish and stupidly cruel way. But even when all that seemed to heal over-- slowly, slowly-- during the slow pacing of the parts afterwards... none of these feelings could compare to what was coming when that signal, that fatal foreshadowing moment Number Two that no one would but vaguely guess at unless they had read the book before came up-- and it hit me so full in the face it was like I'd been hit with a freight train.
And then I had to sit there and endure, and endure, until that moment when it came... and I broke down crying because it was too painful. The leading up to it, the happening, the way Phineas walked out... it broke my heart. And then it dove so sharply I had nothing left but this wrenching, horrible sorrow. --God, I'm crying again.
And you might call me a sap for it: say what you will. But this book is wonderful in the most painful of ways. I want to give it five stars because it hurts you so perfectly that it'll leave you miserable afterwards. It'll steal the breath from you like a strangling wind, and you'll be left choking on words you can't muster. It is a great book... but it's great in the most horrible of ways.
I gave it four stars alone because Gene pisses me off so badly that I can't forgive him. But I feel like, for Phineas's sake, I should give it five stars alone.
Because Phineas is what makes this book. It's him that I cry for. And it's his character that is so tragic that I know I'll cry for him no matter how many times I have to go through this again.
I don't regret reading this book again, and I definitely recommend it to anyone. I know a lot of times we groan at the books teachers give us in school, and while I may hate some parts of the duration, while the message may hurt in getting it across, while it's horrible to face-- it's still a good, good book. If only for the horror and mortification alone.
Read this one when you get a chance. Libraries and used book stores are sure to have it. Just prepare yourself-- though I don't know if you can-- because this is going to hurt.
I listened to the audiobook.
“I did not stop to think that one wave is inevitably followed by another even larger and more powerful, when the tide is coming in.”
Gene and Phineas have an unlikely friendship. Gene is a shy boy, who strives for academic excellence. Phineas is outgoing, content knowing that even if he isn’t the best scholar, he is an excellent athlete. It seems that these boys are inseparable. But a misunderstanding causes Gene to become jealous. In his jealousy-led fury, Gene performs an act that may be unforgivable, if anyone can figure out what really happened.
Phineas and Gene’s bonds were unbreakable, but somehow cracks begin to show. There is no telling what will come of such fractures.
Its typically common knowledge that any book you read for school is awful, but this book broke from that mold. It was not a game-changer for me. This book will not change my perspective on much, but it was a great story. I will not regret reading it.
A Separate Peace is a good World War Two book, but does not change the way I look at the war as a whole. If you want more reading on this topic, this book will not disappoint, as long as you don't go into it with too high of expectations. I would not suggest you read it if searching for a informational novel, but it was not altogether bad. I would not have picked this book up on my own, but I'm glad I had to read it.
