John Knowles’ novel, A Separate Peace, is certainly a detailed read, leaving more questions than answers on the readers mind. But much like the teen anthem’s from the band Nirvana, the book certainly could speak to the teens of that era, and even still touch the readers of today.

For starters, the characters in the novel are very flawed teens, Knowles makes it a point to highlight them. But most of all, I enjoyed how much the characters were able to speak to me, such as Finny’s recklessness and Gene’s odd anger and personality issues.  The setting is marvelously set, in the heart of America in a time where war is the backdrop to the teen’s lives. It really helps to dramatize the story, gives it an edge for the characters who are nearing the time to enlist to fight for their country, And just like the setting, the plot is very well structured, even to the unfavorable end where the entire story becomes a haze. Whereas some of my peers may think Finny didn’t need to die, I certainly think John Knowles chose correctly to kill of Finny. In order for Gene to achieve peace, a part of him needed to die to understand life as it was in those times. Finny was almost preaching peace more than hatred, and that’s something he taught Gene, something he came to understand because of Finny’s death.

I certainly would encourage this read, it really was entertaining and Knowles’ theories on human nature incorporated in the story truly helps us as human beings to understand ourselves. I would have changed the ending, I would have included more depth, stuff hit the fan way too fast.