A review by mosaicheartsxx
A Separate Peace by John Knowles

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

i honestly don't know what to say. for the most part, i found the story to be quite mundane. but at the same time, i understood that this is the portrayal of the boys' lives: an everyday boring sort of normal. and so i'm conflicted as to whether i should see this as a good or bad part of the narrative. 

another thing that conflicts me is this:

gene is clearly not the best best friend to have, is he? i didn't like the way he avoided confrontations despite being so quick to judge every person in the story. although, on the other hand, i can see how confusing it must be for him, to navigate his way through near-seniorship and the prospect of the war and finny. it does not excuse his actions but it does paint a conflicted, self-serving character which, imo, is what gene is.

the ending of the story was what stayed with me the most. it

pretty much sums up the entire story. of gene and finny's dynamic. and of their dynamic against everyone else. of the very real waging war. of the tumultuous and catastrophic concept of boys thinking of becoming men and adolescence. 

do not be too quick to assume positions of fire against the enemy.

if they are even your enemy at all.