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3.46 AVERAGE
3.46 AVERAGE
This story, originally published in the early 1960’s, is the story of two roommates Phinneas and Gene, at a private boarding school during the summer in the 1940s. The 16 year old boys are at a summer session designed to speed their education, with the impending threat of the government lowering the draft age to 17 in order to fuel the war effort.
The boys are determined to make the most of this final, carefree summer, each in his own way. Phinneas, the irrepressible jock, in constant motion, invents ways to bring all of his friends together through fearless and often reckless sports, secret societies, and games of chance. Gene, the more studious, is infatuated with Phinneas even as he attempts to make his mark academically. Somewhere along the way, Gene begins to question whether Phin is his best friend or his rival.
This is really the story of loss of innocence, an American story of wars and impending wars that shaped the country from World War One through the present. It highlights the differences between voluntary service and compulsory service. It examines how the way that we convince boys to become soldiers, and the cost of our “patriotic” demands on our young men.
I loved the “maleness” of this book. The way that it captures the reckless nature of some young boys contrasted against the adult nature of the decisions they are making. It shows how split second emotional decisions can spiral into real and lifelong consequences.
I can see how this book hit a cultural sweet spot when it was written.
The boys are determined to make the most of this final, carefree summer, each in his own way. Phinneas, the irrepressible jock, in constant motion, invents ways to bring all of his friends together through fearless and often reckless sports, secret societies, and games of chance. Gene, the more studious, is infatuated with Phinneas even as he attempts to make his mark academically. Somewhere along the way, Gene begins to question whether Phin is his best friend or his rival.
This is really the story of loss of innocence, an American story of wars and impending wars that shaped the country from World War One through the present. It highlights the differences between voluntary service and compulsory service. It examines how the way that we convince boys to become soldiers, and the cost of our “patriotic” demands on our young men.
I loved the “maleness” of this book. The way that it captures the reckless nature of some young boys contrasted against the adult nature of the decisions they are making. It shows how split second emotional decisions can spiral into real and lifelong consequences.
I can see how this book hit a cultural sweet spot when it was written.
This was one of the books I never really got into but can totally see how someone could relate to this book. Let me let you in on a little secret this book is no fairytale. My favorite person of course this always happens in the books I read.
adventurous
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I remember reading this book in high school and being the only one in my class who liked it. Loved it, actually. I just fell head over heels for Finny... I even named my guinea pig Phineas!
Now, 20 years later, I still love A Separate Peace and I still cannot understand why none of my classmates appreciated it. The character dynamic is so complex and the reader has such mixed-up, confused feelings about Gene that NOT appreciating this novel seems impossible to me.
Now, 20 years later, I still love A Separate Peace and I still cannot understand why none of my classmates appreciated it. The character dynamic is so complex and the reader has such mixed-up, confused feelings about Gene that NOT appreciating this novel seems impossible to me.
The book overall was kind of boring with no plot or clear problem to the story. Although I did find some of what the narrator said about the war to be powerful, the book wasn't really fascinating. Everything that was supposed to be a big moment wasn't well written enough to make me want to keep reading.
Although this is what I said when I was obligated to read this book in a certain amount of time I am now wondering why I thought of this book this way. Now, taking a look back, there was a plot and story line and I totally disagree with my former opinion.
Although this is what I said when I was obligated to read this book in a certain amount of time I am now wondering why I thought of this book this way. Now, taking a look back, there was a plot and story line and I totally disagree with my former opinion.
This book was so fantastically boring and dull, it wasn't even funny.
I read this in a whirlwind yesterday, reading it all the way through. I’ve thought about it since and that has crystallized my feelings a little more; this was one of my favorite reading experiences so far. Friendship, coming of age, war, and guilt displayed with gorgeous prose. The sections describing nature were some of my favorites i’ve ever read. This whole book just resonated with me hugely and i couldn’t put it down. The ending was a little messy but i don’t mind. Now i’m gonna do the annoying thing and talk about what other books it reminds me of