A Separate Peace by John Knowles (for some reason it didn't post last week)

I don't like chick flick books about adolescence or romantic comedies. I want to read books that impact my life or actually move me, not just keep me entertained. I had been struggling for awhile to find a book that I would not be able to put down. I kept finding books that were depressing or books that were interesting due to the advance formation of the characters. Then, in the instance of grabbing the first book off the shelf, signing it out of the library and then looking at the cover, did I find "A Separate Peace" by John Knowles. The plot starts simple: two boys, one introverted and one the star, who go to a boarding school during World War II. I thought that for the mean time this was a perfect book since it would be at least slightly entertaining and I could learn a little more about World War II. I didn't know that two days later I would be finishing the book.

"A Separate Peace" was also my first American classic. The classified type of "classics" actually deter me from the section, probably since the writing is incomprehensible and it is usually about subjects I do not understand. I was unaware that I had stepped into a new ball game and soon realized I was reading a classic by the very advanced vocabulary and structure. I quickly pushed away my troubles with the writing and focused on what I could understand. This book is incredible, mostly because the characters are so relatable. Gene, the introverted character, struggles to overcome his jealousy of his friend, Finn who is fantastic at everything he does. Personally, I get jealous of when people are better at things than I am, because I'm human. John Knowles also makes you vert attached to the characters.

For example, in "A Separate Peace" Knowles created a character named Elwin Lepellier or Leper. Leper is a very efemminate male who would rather go cross country skiing to see a beaver dam than play Blitzball (the new school sport). You become very attached to Leper as he is very sweet and doesn't really fight back when people bully him. At one point Leper leaves to join the war and he becomes a sensation at the school. All the kids wanted him to succeed and came up with fantastical stories about his adventures throughout the war, some stories were used to make fun of him and others to celebrate his wonderful personality. It is then discovered that Leper has become very angry and every trace of his wonderful personality is wiped clean. He was changed by the war and everybody is frightened of the stories he tells.

"A Separate Peace" has mixed reviews since the book is very slow for certain people. I think that the book takes time to be understood. From the many reviews I read, they stated they found it boring and nonsensical, but this may have been from a lack of understanding. "A Separate Peace" is an interesting, sad and incredible book that really shows an evil side to adolescence. I recommend this book to anyone who wants to read a fair American classic.