A Separate Peace by John Knowles

Well, it took me three months, but I did finally finish this book.  And it took me another month to actually write something about it. Our reading project has ended with a whimper and definitely not a big finish.  But, hey, we had fun anyway.  Ernie still had Midnight's Children to finish which he cannot get through and we were both going to read Ayn Rand's The Fountainhead, I think, but I just can't face it.  So, anyway, on to my thoughts on A Separate Peace.............

Another book that is on reading lists in schools everywhere still, I guess?  I can't begin to tell you why.  But we have kind of come full circle, what with starting with Lord of the Flies and then ending up with A Separate Peace.  Both are about priviliged, private school boys who act impulsively and there are consequences.  I have to believe I am way too old and of the wrong gender to get anything out of this book.  I certainly wouldn't call it great.  If I were an adolescent male today I still don't think I would get this book. 

Basically it is about a group of American, upper middle class types at a private school during the early 1940's.  The guys allegedly have the spectre of having to go off to war hanging over their heads, but really?  When has anyone in this country with money ever had to serve in a war against his will?  Please.  There is always a way around it for the rich and less than patriotic.  So, this is their last big hurrah as kids having fun before the cold, cruel world intrudes on their idyllic existence. Blah, blah, blah.  The main kid, Gene, idolizes this other kid, Phineas, (I kid you not on the name) and then basically SPOILER ALERT is responsible for Phineas's death.  And his motivation is left ambivilent -- was he just unable to control his wild urges? Was he trying to save Phineas from the life he would have faced in the bad, bad world?  Was he jealous and acting out of malice?  Who knows?  And what's more, can't say I cared. I didn't really find anything to like about these characters in the first place and I certainly didn't feel any kind of kinship.  Here's a sample of their charming personalities "Phineas vaulted across the room to his cot, yanked back the spread and groaned. 'Oh Christ, it's not made up.  What is all this crap about no maids?'"  Indeed, what is all that crap?

So, I really didn't care for this book, couldn't relate to it and didn't get anything great out of it.  We've asked before, but anyone who read this book in school and thought it was taught well or there was some point to it being taught, please chime in.