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3.59 AVERAGE
3.59 AVERAGE
I enjoyed the Disney movie of Peter Pan when I was little.
I don't think I ever read Barrie's original play, but when I was slightly older, I enjoyed reading the book. Then I became old enough to understand what sexism was, I didn't enjoy the memory of it so much.
Older still, I enjoyed this retelling, with Wendy finally getting some of her own back. "Never grow up" sounds fun while it lasts, but being an adult has its advantages and wisdom too.
I don't think I ever read Barrie's original play, but when I was slightly older, I enjoyed reading the book. Then I became old enough to understand what sexism was, I didn't enjoy the memory of it so much.
Older still, I enjoyed this retelling, with Wendy finally getting some of her own back. "Never grow up" sounds fun while it lasts, but being an adult has its advantages and wisdom too.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
A very well written retelling of Peter Pan. The trouble is, I think I completely missed most of the point. The writing was gorgeous, the plot confounding.
An excellent retelling of Peter Pan! I couldn’t put it down (except at night because it is creepy). Highly recommend to fans Peter Pan and fairytale retellings.
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Sexism, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Kidnapping
Moderate: Animal death, War
This is indeed a dark retelling of the Pete Pan story, and it is an excellent one. Very well written; we follow the story from the POV of Wendy now, Wendy then, and Wendy's daughter Jane, and each voice is distinctive. It is hard to put down, and gives you a good deal to think about after.
I really enjoyed the double timeline of Wendy's life and this retelling was fantastic. The darker view on Peter was great- and the twist of having Jane involved made it unique. Wendy's story feels real and I could really relate to some of her struggles. The question of when are we actually grown up was handled well and I appreciate the author for writing this.
As a person who was never interested in Peter Pan, nor loved the Disney movie, this book was for me!
I felt this novel validated my young feelings about Peter… I always felt he was odd and a little bit disturbing.
I loved how Wendy’s character was further explained and her experiences (good and bad) were detailed after returning from Neverland. Wendy’s story is one to focus on, a strong and resilient protagonist.
If you’re a fan of Peter Pan (the character), this book is not for you!
I felt this novel validated my young feelings about Peter… I always felt he was odd and a little bit disturbing.
I loved how Wendy’s character was further explained and her experiences (good and bad) were detailed after returning from Neverland. Wendy’s story is one to focus on, a strong and resilient protagonist.
If you’re a fan of Peter Pan (the character), this book is not for you!
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for gifting me an e-arc and a finished copy of this book.
I love a dark retelling so was instantly interested in this one as it sounded right up my street. Unfortunately while I did like this, I didn't love it like I expected to. This is also less a retelling and more a continuation as it follows Wendy's life after leaving Neverland.
I enjoyed the multi POV as we got to see the story from both Wendy on her journey back to Neverland to rescue her daughter, and also from Jane's point of view in Neverland. I felt like we had much more of Wendy's past in her POV chapters than we needed; we end up with detailed events of what happened to her during her time in the asylum that her brothers take her to, when she continues to try and make them remember their time in Neverland as children. While seeing some of those events was important to see how she got to where she is at this point, I feel like there was much more than we needed and it left me feeling disconnected from the actual plot of Wendy having to go and rescue her daughter from Peter.
The second half of the book - where Wendy makes it to Neverland, and while Jane is trying to remember who she is and that she needs to find a way home - is much more fast paced and we get to see a truly dark side of Peter and the island. However even with a stronger ending, this was not enough to bring up my overall rating of the book higher than a 3 star.
I love a dark retelling so was instantly interested in this one as it sounded right up my street. Unfortunately while I did like this, I didn't love it like I expected to. This is also less a retelling and more a continuation as it follows Wendy's life after leaving Neverland.
I enjoyed the multi POV as we got to see the story from both Wendy on her journey back to Neverland to rescue her daughter, and also from Jane's point of view in Neverland. I felt like we had much more of Wendy's past in her POV chapters than we needed; we end up with detailed events of what happened to her during her time in the asylum that her brothers take her to, when she continues to try and make them remember their time in Neverland as children. While seeing some of those events was important to see how she got to where she is at this point, I feel like there was much more than we needed and it left me feeling disconnected from the actual plot of Wendy having to go and rescue her daughter from Peter.
The second half of the book - where Wendy makes it to Neverland, and while Jane is trying to remember who she is and that she needs to find a way home - is much more fast paced and we get to see a truly dark side of Peter and the island. However even with a stronger ending, this was not enough to bring up my overall rating of the book higher than a 3 star.
Engrossing and enthralling -- this is a tale of Neverland for grown-ups, as pithy as that sounds. I love how AC Wise has taken motifs and elements from the original tale and explored what was *really* going on: the significance of one's shadow; the socialisation of boys to expect girls to play a maternal role; and the acts of remembering, reconciling, and letting go of our childhoods.