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3.46 AVERAGE
3.46 AVERAGE
adventurous
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
One of my favorite books. Would give a 5 but not sure it would resonate the same if I read it now - such a coming of age novel. Would like to re read one day and see.
A Seperate Peace, is a novel about about an accident that irrevocably changes the life of two boys - Gene and Finny - in the mmidst of war torn England. Stunning in its overdose of internal turmoil, A Separate Piece is a reflection of a young boy growing up in turbulent circumstances. Unfortunately that's about all the things that I liked. I like Gene's constant turmoil, his love yet hate of Finny and his inner battles about his true nature. Being an introspective person, I really understand his feelings and almost feel intruiged by them - human psychology at its peak. Gene is so conflicted, so human, so almost evil, that I can't help but be swayed by him. Finny on the other hand, is innocent, popular, and perfect - a flawless role model. Almost boring, but what happens to him during this book is quite engaging.
However, the downside is Knowle's writing. The book is almost all about introspective struggles, and appeals to emotions or emotions represented in actions. The loss of innocence, rite of passage of the boys is utterly reminscient of anyone's childhood, and the whole of life. Undenibly thoughtful and eloquent, A Seperate Peace is interesting, yet lacks a hook to catch readers and bring them in.
Almost too well done in introspective-ness, it's a jewel that's easily overlooked and hard to see. Perhaps I can't see the whole brilliance, but A Seperate Peace is a novel worthy of being read.
However, the downside is Knowle's writing. The book is almost all about introspective struggles, and appeals to emotions or emotions represented in actions. The loss of innocence, rite of passage of the boys is utterly reminscient of anyone's childhood, and the whole of life. Undenibly thoughtful and eloquent, A Seperate Peace is interesting, yet lacks a hook to catch readers and bring them in.
Almost too well done in introspective-ness, it's a jewel that's easily overlooked and hard to see. Perhaps I can't see the whole brilliance, but A Seperate Peace is a novel worthy of being read.
The strange thing about re-reading books you read in high school is how your age and (I assume) wisdom, changes how you view the book. I remember reading this and despising Phineas and Gene. I didn't know why I didn't like them, I was a dumb teenager, but I didn't like either of them.
After a re-read, I still do not like Gene but Finny has a pass. I realize, now, that the codependency of the two is what led me to not like either of them. I've never been a codependent person, never needed someone around all the time. I don't need to be a leader, I don't want to be a follower. Relationships like this have always irked me. But now I see that Finny became codependent out of necessity. Gene still sucked.
Set in a boy's school in New England, Gene and Finny are roommates and best friends. Finny's personality is outgoing, confident and incorrigible. Gene is meek, quiet and self-loathing. The leader-follower relationship is set. As Gene becomes more envious of Finny, he causes a deliberate accident that causes Finny to shatter his leg, thus ending his athletic dreams. Shitty move, Gene.
Finny eventually comes back to Devon, the same but crippled, and is forced to rely on Gene. Gene is still hating himself for what happened (which he should) and actively delves into daydreams and trying to become "Phineas" for Finny. Keep in mind that while this is all happening World War II is going on and each student at Devon is in danger of being drafted. The book never goes near the war, it just keeps it as a dark cloud over everyone and influence their decisions.
Just to keep the spoilers at bay, know that Finny and Gene's story gets more complicated with help from Brinker, another self-important student at Devon. Things do end badly and lessons don't entirely seem to get absorbed.
I couldn't remember anything about this book when I picked it up, except that I read it and it was set at a boy's school. Each page gave me deja vu and I realized it was there all along. I just didn't realize the plot I had in my mind was to A Separate Peace.
After a re-read, I still do not like Gene but Finny has a pass. I realize, now, that the codependency of the two is what led me to not like either of them. I've never been a codependent person, never needed someone around all the time. I don't need to be a leader, I don't want to be a follower. Relationships like this have always irked me. But now I see that Finny became codependent out of necessity. Gene still sucked.
Set in a boy's school in New England, Gene and Finny are roommates and best friends. Finny's personality is outgoing, confident and incorrigible. Gene is meek, quiet and self-loathing. The leader-follower relationship is set. As Gene becomes more envious of Finny, he causes a deliberate accident that causes Finny to shatter his leg, thus ending his athletic dreams. Shitty move, Gene.
Finny eventually comes back to Devon, the same but crippled, and is forced to rely on Gene. Gene is still hating himself for what happened (which he should) and actively delves into daydreams and trying to become "Phineas" for Finny. Keep in mind that while this is all happening World War II is going on and each student at Devon is in danger of being drafted. The book never goes near the war, it just keeps it as a dark cloud over everyone and influence their decisions.
Just to keep the spoilers at bay, know that Finny and Gene's story gets more complicated with help from Brinker, another self-important student at Devon. Things do end badly and lessons don't entirely seem to get absorbed.
I couldn't remember anything about this book when I picked it up, except that I read it and it was set at a boy's school. Each page gave me deja vu and I realized it was there all along. I just didn't realize the plot I had in my mind was to A Separate Peace.
Read this book in high school. I remember very little about it even though I aced the class. I just remembered the two main characters were so lame and the story made me fall asleep on my desk numerous times.
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes