The novel I’m reading, A Separate Peace by John Knowles, has an interesting setting that makes the events of the story seem more stark and relatable. Most of the story takes place at Devon school during the second world war, though the introduction of Gene revisiting the school actually takes place 15 years later. School life takes on more of a background role, grounding the otherwise aimless adventures of Gene and Phineas in a semblance of reality. The summer days are a bright backdrop for brighter events, and as the story goes on, the warmth of the seasons fade, along with much of the happiness and security the characters wish to find. Gene and his friends can feel the pressure of the war throughout the story. The fun they have often seems