You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.85 AVERAGE
3.85 AVERAGE
***Caution. Spoilers ahead***
A young, magical, narcissistic sociopath named Peter meets a well-grounded kind girl, named Wendy, and her two brothers. Peter brings them to the magical land of stereotypes, where he rules over a murderous group of young boys whose membership is based upon the agreement that they will never grow up. This is ruthlessly enforced by Peter, who kills anyone who tries.
Wendy is quite enamoured by this cheery young despot, and he makes her the mother of the boys. They live in a kind of domestic bliss in Peter’s underground hideout, while venturing out and having many crazy adventures, mostly revolving around their rivalry with one of the stereotype gangs.
Although Peter does what he can to stop them, eventually Wendy and her brothers manage to return home to their parents, bringing all the young boys in the gang with them. Wendy can then happily grow up, while the young boys grudgingly do so. Only Peter remains a child in the magical land, periodically visiting Wendy when his selfish moods move him too. Over time they fall into a pattern of annual visits where Peter takes Wendy’s children, and then grandchildren, and on through the generations to the magical land of stereotypes, but for no longer than one week.
If there is a moral to this story, perhaps it is that children really should grow up because they’re selfish little tyrants, and though it may be a joyful way of being in short doses, perhaps it’s not so great long term.
I really quite liked this book. It’s well written and entertaining, and the author’s way of normalizing the absurdly unreal is almost magical in itself.
A young, magical, narcissistic sociopath named Peter meets a well-grounded kind girl, named Wendy, and her two brothers. Peter brings them to the magical land of stereotypes, where he rules over a murderous group of young boys whose membership is based upon the agreement that they will never grow up. This is ruthlessly enforced by Peter, who kills anyone who tries.
Wendy is quite enamoured by this cheery young despot, and he makes her the mother of the boys. They live in a kind of domestic bliss in Peter’s underground hideout, while venturing out and having many crazy adventures, mostly revolving around their rivalry with one of the stereotype gangs.
Although Peter does what he can to stop them, eventually Wendy and her brothers manage to return home to their parents, bringing all the young boys in the gang with them. Wendy can then happily grow up, while the young boys grudgingly do so. Only Peter remains a child in the magical land, periodically visiting Wendy when his selfish moods move him too. Over time they fall into a pattern of annual visits where Peter takes Wendy’s children, and then grandchildren, and on through the generations to the magical land of stereotypes, but for no longer than one week.
If there is a moral to this story, perhaps it is that children really should grow up because they’re selfish little tyrants, and though it may be a joyful way of being in short doses, perhaps it’s not so great long term.
I really quite liked this book. It’s well written and entertaining, and the author’s way of normalizing the absurdly unreal is almost magical in itself.
adventurous
dark
funny
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
✨3.8 stars✨
This story is ridiculously fun. Definitely the most fun I had whilst reading a book.
The darker theme surprised me, but it was a good surprise. I knew it was going to be dark, but to be that dark? And disturbing, too. Damn. There were a lot of tidbits and sprinkles of lore as well that I had fun discovering that wasn't in the 2003 movie adaptation (BEST MOVIE EVER!) and gosh... the nostalgia! This story was a big part of my childhood after all. Believe me, I was one of those kids who dreamt of flying away to Neverland with Peter Pan.
Peter Pan. This boy. I feel like I can make a thesis out of his character alone. He has got to be the most curious and fascinating character I've ever encountered both fictional and in real life. Just wow. This boy is a piece of work and I mean it as a compliment. He's literally the epitome of a wanderlust and I'm here for it.
In conclusion... loved it, adored it, made me cry both happy and sad tears... just *chef's kiss*
This story is ridiculously fun. Definitely the most fun I had whilst reading a book.
The darker theme surprised me, but it was a good surprise. I knew it was going to be dark, but to be that dark? And disturbing, too. Damn. There were a lot of tidbits and sprinkles of lore as well that I had fun discovering that wasn't in the 2003 movie adaptation (BEST MOVIE EVER!) and gosh... the nostalgia! This story was a big part of my childhood after all. Believe me, I was one of those kids who dreamt of flying away to Neverland with Peter Pan.
Peter Pan. This boy. I feel like I can make a thesis out of his character alone. He has got to be the most curious and fascinating character I've ever encountered both fictional and in real life. Just wow. This boy is a piece of work and I mean it as a compliment. He's literally the epitome of a wanderlust and I'm here for it.
In conclusion... loved it, adored it, made me cry both happy and sad tears... just *chef's kiss*
Ummmm this is not the Peter Pan from my youth.
This was all a bit ... unsettling.
A boy who refuses to grow up and takes children to a strange, dangerous land where time doesn’t exist? This felt much more whimsy when I was little.
Also was Peter always such a brat?
In any case I still loved it, it was very nostalgic even if it's making me rethink my entire childhood.
This was all a bit ... unsettling.
A boy who refuses to grow up and takes children to a strange, dangerous land where time doesn’t exist? This felt much more whimsy when I was little.
Also was Peter always such a brat?
In any case I still loved it, it was very nostalgic even if it's making me rethink my entire childhood.
After watching the Disney version and the Warner Brothers one countless time I decided to actually read this book. I must say that if both films were put together, it would a more close to the book than either versions. This book was a bit hard to understand with the different words, but I was glad that I took up to reading it. It gave me a different view of things and actually enjoy the story as a novel instead of a film. I would recommend anyone who wants to read about adventure and youth to read this book.
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
sad
tense
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
I was surprised by how well I knew the story, even though the Disney version is definitely less gruesome. It was entertaining to read, but I did not really connect to the story or any of the characters.
Having read this for book club, I enjoyed the discussion about the writing style and whether or not the whole Peter Pan and Neverland event was a dream or not.
Having read this for book club, I enjoyed the discussion about the writing style and whether or not the whole Peter Pan and Neverland event was a dream or not.
Peter is a terrible child. Wendy is forced into heteronormative mommyhood. First Peoples are made into racial stereotypes (time context obviously, BUT STILL). Basically, this is all the things I don't like packaged into a "children's book." It seriously lacked Christopher Walken's drunken acting, which added some needed hilarity to the 2014 live production.
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No