The Separation

by Christopher Priest
The Separation cover
Good Books rating 4.33
Science Fiction (Sci-Fi)
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  • ID: 9483
  • Added: 2025-12-24
  • Updated: 2025-12-30
  • ISBN: 9780575114951
  • Publisher: Hachette UK
  • Published: 2011-09-08
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 3

The Separation follows the lives of twin brothers, both named J.L. Sawyer, who experience the Second World War in vastly different ways due to alternate realities. One brother is a RAF pilot who becomes Churchill's aide-de-camp, while the other is a pacifist working with the Red Cross. The novel explores how the small man can make a difference and offers a savage critique of Winston Churchill. It's a story of how one perceives and shapes the past, set against the backdrop of a war that ends in 1941 in one reality and continues as we know it in another./n/nChristopher Priest, a genre-leading author of SFF fiction, crafts a compelling narrative that blurs the lines between history and fiction. The novel is not just a tale of war but a deep dive into the consequences of choices and the power of individual actions. It's a thought-provoking exploration of identity, culture, and the impact of historical figures.

Reviews
Infinity Plus · 2025-12-24
great 4.00

The book is described as a fine fable that explores the haunting nature of what-might-have-beens and the sense of powerlessness.

This reviewer sees the book as a fine fable that delves into the haunting nature of what-might-have-beens and the sense of powerlessness that comes with it. The exploration of these themes is both poignant and thought-provoking, making the novel a memorable read. The reviewer appreciates the depth of the narrative and the way it captures the essence of human vulnerability and the inevitability of certain events.

Quick quotes

    A fine fable of how the world is haunted by the ghosts of our what-might-have-beens

    The awful sense of our own powerlessness to control events

    The book is gripping and engaging

Vacuous Wastrel · 2024-06-09
excellent 4.50

The novel is praised for its unpretentiousness and solidity, appealing to a wide range of readers. The structure and themes are noted for their depth and complexity.

This reviewer found the novel to be extremely good, highlighting its unpretentiousness and solidity that appeal to many readers. The structure and preoccupations of the book are particularly noted for pushing readers to think deeply. The writing is engaging and the themes are rich, making it a compelling read. The reviewer appreciates the balance between accessibility and depth, which makes the novel stand out.

Quick quotes

    An extremely good novel, with the unpretentiousness and solidity to appeal to many readers

    The structure and preoccupations to push many of those readers

    The novel is gripping and engaging

Darren Goossens · 2013-12-31
brilliant 4.50

The book is gripping and plays with time within the timelines, making memories seem to go forwards as well as backwards.

This reviewer found the book to be gripping, keeping them up late into the night. The novel's unique handling of time within the timelines is particularly noted, as it makes memories seem to move both forwards and backwards. This creative approach adds a layer of complexity and intrigue to the narrative, making it a compelling read. The reviewer appreciates the vivid description and the way the book challenges conventional notions of time and memory.

Quick quotes

    The book is gripping. It kept me up late reading.

    It plays with time within the timelines

    Memories seem to go forwards as well as backwards

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