A Separate Peace by John Knowles.

3/5 rating. 196 pages.

Book #16 of 2021. Read February 11, 2021.

This is a favorite of English teachers and I imagine, not really anyone else.

This book tells of the narrator Gene’s time at prep school with his best friend Finny. After Gene commits an atrocious act against Finny, he spends the rest of his time trying to come to terms with himself and Finny.

I think there are a few reasons that this book is so highly studied in school. One, it is a case where you can’t really trust the narrator as his descriptions of Finny are of someone beyond reproach and more that of an idol. Two, the dichotomy between Gene and Finny is evident while the two act as best friends. I think mostly, though it has to do with the case that we all can empathize with Gene at times: we have all hurt those we most love and often cannot live up to the idealized lives of those around us.

I don’t really think this book is anything special, but if your teacher is going to make you read it, there are much worse books to slog through.

Quotes:

“It was only long after that I recognized sarcasm as the protest of people who are weak.”

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