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3.8 AVERAGE
3.8 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
J.J Barrie’s Peter Pan is a legendary tale, children for generations will enjoy its magic. It was always one of my favourite stories as a child and it still captivates me as much as the first time I was told the story. Who wouldn’t want to avoid adult responsibilities and never grow up? I had the pleasure of seeing the Peter Pan statue in London’s Kensington Gardens a couple years ago, and it was as magical as seeing it in Robin William’s ‘Hook’ film. The statue was placed secretly overnight in 1912, but Barrie was reportedly disappointed with the statue, believing it doesn’t show “the devil in Peter” as he imagined him. Despite this, I think it is whimsical and enchanting. Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens is Barrie’s prequel Peter publication, where Peter is only a week old and used to be a bird. He lives in Kensington Garden’s with the Solomon Caw, a crow and the fairies and is unable to leave the gardens. As he begins to gain the fairies trust through music, (playing the panpipes) and the fairy queen, Mab grants him a wish. He decides to return home to his mother and although the fairies are reluctant, they help him fly home. He sees her asleep in his old bedroom, and feels immensely guilty for leaving her to be in the gardens, so he plans to say his goodbyes to the garden then head back home permanently. However, he accidently stays too long in Kensington and when he returns home, his mother has had a new baby in his absence. Peter is heartbroken and returns to the fairies and Solomon Caw. Peter then meets a girl called Maimie Mannering, who is lost in the garden. Maimie is the literary predecessor to Wendy, and mirrors a lot of her character traits. Peter proposes that they get married and live there happily together, but Mamie knows her mother must be missing her so similar to Wendy, she returns home. Although this story provides some nice backstory to Peter Pan, and explains Peters anger and jealousy towards mothers/fathers and family units, the plotline and action is no where near as strong or as entertaining as Peter Pan and Wendy, and I can understand why these two stories have been published together as one novel.
Peter Pan and Wendy is the well known story, made into multiple films including the animated Disney version and is regularly performed in theatre. The story is so well known, I won’t repeat the details. But the novel’s history is just as fascinating. Peter Pan was inspired by Barrie’s friendship with the Llewelyn Davies families children. Barrie would make up Peter stories for their sons, and after both Llewelyn Davies parents died, Barrie became the co-guardian of the boys, Peter’s name originated from Peter Llewelyn Davies and Pan, the Greek god of the woodlands. Additionally, it has been suggested that Barrie’s elder brother, David who died aged 14 inspired the Peter Pan stories as a way of keeping his memory alive.
I love the themes presented in Peter Pan and how Peter and Wendy play out domestic parental and marital roles with one another and the Lost Boys. This is a safe way for Peter to play pretend while safely remaining a child. As Wendy, Michaels and John spend more time in Neverland, the younger boys begin to forget about their real parents and original home. Wendy is horrified by this, and insists they must return home immediately, realising that their mother will be concerned about them. It is easy to see the similarities between Wendy and Maimie, and although the Lost Boys jump at the chance of being adopted and having a real mother, Peter decides to stay in Neverland. He is terrified of the idea of becoming a man and being sent to an office – completely reasonable, who would chose that over having fun? I could discuss Peter Pan and Wendy for pages and pages, it really is an amazing work and filled with so many literary devices, it is an outstanding creation and will always be a firm favourite.
Peter Pan and Wendy is the well known story, made into multiple films including the animated Disney version and is regularly performed in theatre. The story is so well known, I won’t repeat the details. But the novel’s history is just as fascinating. Peter Pan was inspired by Barrie’s friendship with the Llewelyn Davies families children. Barrie would make up Peter stories for their sons, and after both Llewelyn Davies parents died, Barrie became the co-guardian of the boys, Peter’s name originated from Peter Llewelyn Davies and Pan, the Greek god of the woodlands. Additionally, it has been suggested that Barrie’s elder brother, David who died aged 14 inspired the Peter Pan stories as a way of keeping his memory alive.
I love the themes presented in Peter Pan and how Peter and Wendy play out domestic parental and marital roles with one another and the Lost Boys. This is a safe way for Peter to play pretend while safely remaining a child. As Wendy, Michaels and John spend more time in Neverland, the younger boys begin to forget about their real parents and original home. Wendy is horrified by this, and insists they must return home immediately, realising that their mother will be concerned about them. It is easy to see the similarities between Wendy and Maimie, and although the Lost Boys jump at the chance of being adopted and having a real mother, Peter decides to stay in Neverland. He is terrified of the idea of becoming a man and being sent to an office – completely reasonable, who would chose that over having fun? I could discuss Peter Pan and Wendy for pages and pages, it really is an amazing work and filled with so many literary devices, it is an outstanding creation and will always be a firm favourite.
Reading this, you can easily tell it is meant to be read aloud. The flow of the words, the pacing, and even the narrator's little asides all lend themselves beautifully to being read aloud. And J. M. Barrie's tale of a timeless boy is a timeless tale for all to read and enjoy.
Like many, I was first familiar with Peter Pan through the Disney adaptation. While good in its own right, the book has so much more depth and so many more layers to Peter Pan and the Neverland than Disney was able to touch on. Despite the whimsicality of Peter and his adventures, there are some dark undercurrents too, like references to the thinning out of the Lost Boys. It is innocence and gaiety wrapped up prettily with a bow which shimmers at one angle and absorbs light in another angle.
This was the first time I had read Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens, and I thoroughly enjoyed learning about Peter's origins and how he came to be the boy we know from Peter Pan and Wendy's story. We had inklings of what happened from their story, but there is really so much more to Peter than just he flew away from home for so long that when he finally went back his mother had another child and the window was barred instead of open.
Between both stories, the narrator occasionally makes a moral remark regarding the behavior of children or of mothers, or others. But then he would also say such things as, "There is almost nothing that has such a keen sense of fun as a fallen leaf." (page 187)
"Every living thing was shunning him. Poor little Peter Pan! he sat down and cried, and even then he did not know that, for a bird, he was sitting on his wrong part. It is a blessing that he did not know, for otherwise he would have lost faith in his power to fly, and the moment you doubt whether you can fly, you cease for ever to be able to do it. The reason birds can fly and we can't is simply that they have perfect faith, for to have faith is to have wings." (page 203)
Unless, of course, you have faith, trust, and pixie dust - and as long as children are gay and innocent and heartless.
Like many, I was first familiar with Peter Pan through the Disney adaptation. While good in its own right, the book has so much more depth and so many more layers to Peter Pan and the Neverland than Disney was able to touch on. Despite the whimsicality of Peter and his adventures, there are some dark undercurrents too, like references to the thinning out of the Lost Boys. It is innocence and gaiety wrapped up prettily with a bow which shimmers at one angle and absorbs light in another angle.
This was the first time I had read Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens, and I thoroughly enjoyed learning about Peter's origins and how he came to be the boy we know from Peter Pan and Wendy's story. We had inklings of what happened from their story, but there is really so much more to Peter than just he flew away from home for so long that when he finally went back his mother had another child and the window was barred instead of open.
Between both stories, the narrator occasionally makes a moral remark regarding the behavior of children or of mothers, or others. But then he would also say such things as, "There is almost nothing that has such a keen sense of fun as a fallen leaf." (page 187)
"Every living thing was shunning him. Poor little Peter Pan! he sat down and cried, and even then he did not know that, for a bird, he was sitting on his wrong part. It is a blessing that he did not know, for otherwise he would have lost faith in his power to fly, and the moment you doubt whether you can fly, you cease for ever to be able to do it. The reason birds can fly and we can't is simply that they have perfect faith, for to have faith is to have wings." (page 203)
Unless, of course, you have faith, trust, and pixie dust - and as long as children are gay and innocent and heartless.
As imaginative as this novel was, there were a lot of issues with it. A lot. Racism, sexism, etc., etc. I’ve had it on my bookshelf for so long that it definitely needed to be either read or thrifted. Fortunately, I got through this one quickly with the help of audiobook and read along with my physical copy. It was a surprisingly dark novel, even though it was meant for children. It gave me Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland vibes with all the nonsense that was happening, but I definitely prefer Alice.
Tbh, I liked Disney Peter Pan as a child, but I grew up (lol) and definitely didn’t enjoy him as much. Book Peter Pan is almost 5x more painful to me.
Reading Challenge Prompt: A book about adventure.
Tbh, I liked Disney Peter Pan as a child, but I grew up (lol) and definitely didn’t enjoy him as much. Book Peter Pan is almost 5x more painful to me.
Reading Challenge Prompt: A book about adventure.
"Will they reach the nursery in time? If so, how delightful for them, and we shall all breathe a sigh of relief, but there will be no story."
This book was so wild........ I clearly need to read more non-contemporary books because my brain was constantly overloading trying to comprehend this seemingly lovely abstract narration with the blatant racism and misogyny.
This book was so wild........ I clearly need to read more non-contemporary books because my brain was constantly overloading trying to comprehend this seemingly lovely abstract narration with the blatant racism and misogyny.
I only read Peter Pan in this bound up version, but I found it quite interesting. I haven't watched the Disney adaptation in several years, so I went into the book with little expectations. Barrie told a unique, enthralling story with a very prominent, outspoken narrator's voice. Also, the story was never dull and the perfect length for a quick, enjoyable read. However, one thing that did shock me though is that Barrie shames the children and constantly calls them heartless due to them forgetting their parents. In the end it just wrapped up that this 'children's story' bashed children and pointed out their flaws instead.
2nd read: forced book club to read it hashtag no regrets I love love this book
Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens 3/5
Peter and Wendy 5/5
overall: 4/5
"Peter and Wendy" literally blew my mind. There are so many layers to the story that are missed in the adaptations- it does the book a great injustice. The underlying layer of violence, imperialism, is nearly completely lost in the Disney adaptation. The story is so much more than the "fun" adventures in Neverland. It is more-so about the horrors of Neverland and child-like innocence. I was deeply uncomfortable while reading it- partly because of the narration style (which is a whole other conversation), but also the mysterious origins of the lost boys (I don't believe for a second they only fell out of their prams), and Peter's extreme violence. It is just so clear in the novel. Its so gross but please read it!
The treatment of the natives on the island are absolutely charged, in no way do I support how Barrie treated a whole people group. Neverland is the land of make-believe; reducing whole groups to something that only exist in the "innocent" minds of children. It is very messed up indeed!! Don't even get me started on the entire character of Tiger Lily...
I literally have way too much to say about "Peter and Wendy" that i would end up writing a whole essay
"Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens" was interesting. I do not really have much of anything to say about it. It was cool to the the precursor (sorta) of Peter Pan.
Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens 3/5
Peter and Wendy 5/5
overall: 4/5
"Peter and Wendy" literally blew my mind. There are so many layers to the story that are missed in the adaptations- it does the book a great injustice. The underlying layer of violence, imperialism, is nearly completely lost in the Disney adaptation. The story is so much more than the "fun" adventures in Neverland. It is more-so about the horrors of Neverland and child-like innocence. I was deeply uncomfortable while reading it- partly because of the narration style (which is a whole other conversation), but also the mysterious origins of the lost boys (I don't believe for a second they only fell out of their prams), and Peter's extreme violence. It is just so clear in the novel. Its so gross but please read it!
The treatment of the natives on the island are absolutely charged, in no way do I support how Barrie treated a whole people group. Neverland is the land of make-believe; reducing whole groups to something that only exist in the "innocent" minds of children. It is very messed up indeed!! Don't even get me started on the entire character of Tiger Lily...
I literally have way too much to say about "Peter and Wendy" that i would end up writing a whole essay
"Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens" was interesting. I do not really have much of anything to say about it. It was cool to the the precursor (sorta) of Peter Pan.
Marvelous, even at the age or 23 I still found wonder and such joy at the exciting adventures of the boy who never grew up and the Wendy Bird!
It takes some getting used too I suppose. It is very much a children's book, but also strangely gruesome at times, though it is rather blasé about death and the like.
The second story, Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens is a bit like the first one in that it mostly deals with a new adventure every chapter, though only the kiss/thimble discussion is copied directly and the rest is new material. That one is probably more suited for a younger audience than the first, if your worry about reading "gory" (and do take that word with a grain of salt) stories to your children.
The second story, Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens is a bit like the first one in that it mostly deals with a new adventure every chapter, though only the kiss/thimble discussion is copied directly and the rest is new material. That one is probably more suited for a younger audience than the first, if your worry about reading "gory" (and do take that word with a grain of salt) stories to your children.
