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jadaleigh's review against another edition
3.0
faithtrustpixiedust's review against another edition
5.0
As usual, this was golden ❤️
(Original review)
This is honestly so wonderful. I read this mostly because I am writing a dark fantasy Peter Pan retelling (you can vote on a title here), but it really exceeded my expectations. I knew it would be enjoyable--it is a classic that has stood the test of time--but it was really a fantastic story told so wonderfully. It feels like it is being told to you, and it feels like there's even more to tell, which is probably why it has become so iconic. Peter's character is so interesting because he's almost an antihero sometimes, and quite similar to Hook in so many ways. If you've only seen the Disney movie, you really should read the book because it is significantly better in every conceivable way (except for the singing--there isn't a lot of singing lol).
sade's review
4.0
So i picked up this book because i'd just read [b:All Darling Children|30462067|All Darling Children|Katrina Monroe|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1465531934l/30462067._SY75_.jpg|50995582] and i wanted to see how far from the original the author had strayed from Barrie's work. While Monroe presents Peter Pan as blood thirsty, most times for the sake of it, Barrie presents Peter Pan more as a selfish but brave child who has rather grand adventures with or without the lost boys.
You would think that such negative qualities would hurt Pan's general lovability and make him less likable but even with the negative, Barrie uses words to make such negative traits seem admirable. Observe:"it is humiliating to have to confess that this conceit of Peter was one of his most fascinating qualities". Being conceited is obviously negative but on Peter it's fascinating.
You have to wonder at how a boy who "thins out" the lost boys when they seem to be growing, has forbidden others to look in the least like him, who is soley interested in his own cleverness, forgets his friends
Spoiler
(i mean he even freaking forgot Tinkerbell existed and she drank poison for him, ugh)Spoiler
.Peter helped Hook along to his death and took over the jolly roger becoming captain, he treated the boys the same way Hook treated his crew"some of them wanted it to be an honest ship and others were in favour of keeping it a pirate; but the captain treated them as dogs, and they dared not express their wishes to him even in a round robin. instant obedience was the only safe thing."
Micheal and John's characters were not developed past the fact that they were Wendy's brothers. With or without them the plot would have moved along. I can't in all honesty begrude Wendy's character being that at the time the book was written, that's probably all girls' were taught to do.
All in all, I'm frankly i'm of the opinion that Peter Pan is psychotic. It was an interesting read though and i'm glad I finally got to read the real story of Peter Pan.
jayal's review against another edition
5.0
ruby_99's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
mermaidmaity's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
readwithchloev's review against another edition
3.0
This is v v v v of its time, uncomfortably so. I think all of my love for Peter Pan ultimately comes from my adoration of the 2002 live action film, which I watched from a very young age and still adore. I did not realise how gross some of the language is towards indigenous communities, and also the gender roles and expectations upon women. Cmon Wendy, we are not here to mother someone else’s son. But as I say, VERY of it’s time.
Of course it’s still magical and immersive, and quite dark in places. I listened to the audiobook narrated by Lily Collins - which I didn’t mind considering she’s got an American accent. It felt nice to return to Neverland in some respects, but I have SO much more appreciation for all the retellings I read which are progressive, fun and unproblematic.
paigehf's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
2.0
Graphic: Cultural appropriation, Misogyny, Colonisation, Xenophobia, Sexism, Racism, and Racial slurs
Moderate: Classism, Murder, Violence, and Death
Minor: Death of parent and Animal cruelty
z0el0u_'s review against another edition
3.0
A family favourite, easy and smiley read.