A Separate Peace

by John Knowles

Book Overview

Nominated as one of America's best-loved novels by PBS's The Great American Read. An American classic and great bestseller for over thirty years, A Separate Peace is timeless in its description of... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0553280414
• ISBN13: 9780553280418
• Release Date: January 1985
• Publisher: Bantam Books
• Length: 208 Pages
• Weight: 0.30 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 4.2" x 6.9"
• Age Range: 12 to 20 years
• Grade Range: Grade 7 to Postsecondary

Customer Reviews

Slightly Disappointed

I ordered hardcover, and paid extra to get a hardcover book, but received paperback instead.

Bought as “like new” but received definitely used

I purchased the “like new” condition of this book. However the book I received was bent up, binding clearly damaged, pages old and brown. This is not in “like new” condition.

Didn’t get what i ordered

I bought this book in hardcover format but received a soft cover book… the quality was fine but I had gotten what I ordered :/ I love this book and would recommend anyone to read it thought :)

Very upset about the condition, but very happy with the customer service!

I am really upset about this purchase. I know it’s not a lot of money, but I purchased a like new book and there is writing on every page, underlining, drawings, along with highlighting. I can not read this without getting distracted. I was so excited to read this book again, as the first time was in high school and I really enjoyed it. The customer service is great- my money was refunded quickly and I like that they asked for me to donate the book instead of returning it.

I had this long ago, gave it to a friend. This book could be read and written about in a composition. A book about humanity always sells. This is why I purchased it again.

Beautifully written

A separate peace, written by John Knowles, is set in a boarding school in New Hampshire during World War II. This book is a remarkable novel mainly about a unique friendship between the two main characters, Gene and Phineas. Gene is a shy, reserved intellectual, while Phineas is an outgoing, lively athlete. However the disparity between their personalities has a mysterious force that pulls them together. The friendship portrayed by Knowles is amazingly real- they waiver between hate and friends as mini-conflicts arise between them. The campus of this school was situated out of the reaches of the war; most of the students are not bothered by what¡¦s happening in the outside world. However, as the students neared graduation and the truth slowly unveiled itself, it shattered the tranquility within the campus, and the students were suddenly faced with the shocking reality. A seemingly small incident had progressed into a huge conflict that ultimately was entirely comprised of evil. This book is well designed and controlled. At critical times in the story, Knowles is careful not to reveal too much, which leaves the reader in suspense with the urge to read on. In my opinion, there isn¡¦t a definite plot (not saying it¡¦s a flaw of the book). In fact, the novel is written somewhat like a diary. Even so, Knowles¡¦ perspective towards the war is timeless, and his masterpiece would appeal to most people who read this touching story.