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3.85 AVERAGE
3.85 AVERAGE
Most of the interpretations of Peter Pan we get today (and with which we are more familiar than the original novel) are safe and sanitized. The original novel is not. It reminds us that childhood is not some ideal romantic Rousseaun existence, but rather than children are "gay and innocent and heartless." Peter, perhaps, is more evil than Hook can ever imagine because what he does he does with fickle selfishness.
I read this book on audio and its style, conversational and more like that of a storyteller than a novel, is well-suited to that format. Highly recommended.
I read this book on audio and its style, conversational and more like that of a storyteller than a novel, is well-suited to that format. Highly recommended.
The first magic realism novel? Fantasy and reality are blended sublimely in this tale. It's more violent and, in some ways, much more cynical and wiley than I ever would have thought. No character is flawless, no emotion too base. For example, Tinker Bell is a full-on "bunny boiler," which I never suspected before. Very enjoyable.
This book has a great sense of wonder and felt like I was being read a story. It was surprisingly violent. Also, some of the treatment of women and Native Americans is questionable. Still highly entertaining though.
I really wanted to like this. I really did.
But, I didn't really. There were moments that I really enjoyed, but there were others that I just did not. I found this overall story quite confusing and there were parts that were a bit difficult to follow.
I also didn't like the imagery of Peter's "baby teeth" being repeated. It kinda confused me to about what age he was supposed to be.
There were bits of fun action which were really interesting, but there were also quite a few boring bits that I didn't really enjoy.
It was first published in 1911, so some of the language is a bit outdated. Some parts are also slightly sexist, but again, that is to do with the time period in which it is written, so I can't really judge it on that.
However, I have wanted to read this for a very long time, so I'm happy that I did.
But, I didn't really. There were moments that I really enjoyed, but there were others that I just did not. I found this overall story quite confusing and there were parts that were a bit difficult to follow.
I also didn't like the imagery of Peter's "baby teeth" being repeated. It kinda confused me to about what age he was supposed to be.
There were bits of fun action which were really interesting, but there were also quite a few boring bits that I didn't really enjoy.
It was first published in 1911, so some of the language is a bit outdated. Some parts are also slightly sexist, but again, that is to do with the time period in which it is written, so I can't really judge it on that.
However, I have wanted to read this for a very long time, so I'm happy that I did.
This is a sweet book that shows the grandeur of childhood fantasy while also allowing children to be okay with growing up. There is a lot of stereotypical imagery towards Natives and women that would be worth discussing with a child, but most of the story is good, swashbuckling fun.
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
lighthearted
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This is a hard book to rate. We read it for my daughters literature this year. It's well written, and in my opinion much better than any of the movies I've seen of the story, but it's also just a super strange story. It's casually violent, especially for a child's story. It also has some pretty big racist tendencies, which is unfortunately not uncommon for the time frame, but still very jarring. Overall worth reading, but requires discussion to read with kids.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Violence
adventurous
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes