..A Separate Peace by John Knowles..

This novel is about Gene Forrester and Phineas (Finny), at Devon School in New England during the early years of the World War II.

Gene and Finny are roommates and friends. Finny is a natural athlete and always acts as a leader for the other boys in the school. He devices a game called Blitzball and organizes events like the Winter Carnival. However, Gene is interested in academics and is jealous of Finny’s natural ability in sports.

The novel begins with Gene revisiting Devon after several years. He is reminiscing on the incidents that happened during their summer session. He is also reflecting over on Finny’s death, as a result of his hatred and jealousy. The story goes around with envy, religion, and war.

This novel is a fiction. But, the experiences and memories of the author share the same with Gene. These became the center of events in this story. And this novel is truly a coming-of-age, drama and tragedy that deal with the conflicts of youth.

The story begins when Gene returns from his old preparatory school fifteen years after he graduated. He returned to visit two places which he considered as “fearful sites” of his life: the marble stair case and the tree by the river. Then, the story goes with a flashback. He remembers his school boy years when he was sixteen. Finny created a "Super Suicide Society of the Summer Session,” created a game called "Blitz Ball” and created a rite of induction by having members jump into the Devon River from a large, high tree.

As the summer continuous, Gene becomes resentful of Finny's natural gifts. He convinces himself that Finny doesn't want Gene to be able to rival him in academics and is deliberately trying to destroy Gene's academic career. One night, Finny decided to jump on the tree together with Gene. While on the limb, Gene unconsciously bounces the limb. And as a result, Finny loses his balance and falls out on the tree breaking his leg.

While Finny is recovering, Gene is contemplating in his actions. Finny showed no anger towards Gene until Gene tries to confess about the incident. And Finny refuses to believe.

With the injury, Finny is not capable of doing any sports activity. He trained Gene instead. He is preparing Gene for the coming 1944 Winter Olympics, which is cancelled due to the current war.

The next event is when a boy named Brinker Hadley and a group of students is suspecting that there is something dark from Gene. They dragged him and Finny to an empty classroom and puts Gene on a mock trial. They are trying to force Gene to tell the truth from his guilt. While Finny realizing Gene’s betrayal, runs out the room and falls down on a nearby marble stair case and breaking his injured leg for the second time. After Finny is taken to the infirmary, Gene tries to go and see him. But, Finny refused. The next morning, Gene sees Finny and finally reconciled. Afterwards, Finny went to a surgery. But when Gene meets Dr. Stanpole, he receives news that Finny had died.

Gene was shocked. But he never cried. He explains that there are points in our lives that we realize that there is evil in the world and we must fight these to control ourselves. It is at that time when one’s innocence is lost forever.

The feeling of jealousy should be avoided in every one’s lives. It is the main reason of Gene’s failure, and every failure of those other people who will fall from it. Finny, has a good natured-spirit. Had never perceived anyone as an enemy, and never strived to defeat others. A very positive attitude which assumes why people like him so much, that fortune gives him lots of achievements.

This Novel is a best seller and a classic. It is full of realities for everyone that everyone can relate into. It also offers lessons especially for the youth.