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A review by romankurys
Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie
3.0
Obviously, this one’s a classic.
After reading it in a few different languages over the last few decades (finally, this last re-read in its original English), watching cartoons and movie adaptations, and seeing/reading so many modern books that this story inspired I still found myself enjoying the original Peter Pan in my 40’s as an adult (arguably).
Did this book age well? No. It certainly did not. But I expected that going in. Frankly any classic, I pick up the very basic expectation is that it did not age well and I switch to read the story from the lense of the time when it was written.
Hugo’s descriptions, for example, drive me MAD MAD. Like really? We’re going to spend 20 pages describing a bridge? But then I remember that he had no idea what internet was, and many of his readers would never see the Norte Dame so, a writer’s detailed descriptions were all they had and it makes me feel better.
HOWEVER!!!
Peter Pan is a pretty good story at heart and a stellar concept. I know, I often thought about what it would be like to not have to grow up. To have that choice, at least. An eternal life, in a way. (A relatively non-violent alternative to being a vampire...soooo).
The answer varies individually, obviously but, I still found myself enjoying the tale for what it was: a good adventure.
It’s simple and yet complex at the same time.
I really like how our protagonist is morally grey and still there’s a villain at play and a variety of adventures to be had. There’s a good amount of magic, a capricious fairy and a bunch of kids looking for an escape from the realities of life and pirates. Aaarrrrgghhh.
And now I just made myself nostalgic for yet another re-read of R.L.Stevenson’s “Treasure Island”. One day my brain will stay in one lane and not dance all over the 6 lane highway. One day.
Overall, I think this is a great re-read that will never stop being fun, if for nothing else, then for the nostalgic memories of childhood when this story was a perfect 5 stars.
I would suggest avoiding reading this as a “new” story to today’s kids, as it’ll probably be boring and not very relatable to them. (Are pirates still a thing nowdays?)
Roman
After reading it in a few different languages over the last few decades (finally, this last re-read in its original English), watching cartoons and movie adaptations, and seeing/reading so many modern books that this story inspired I still found myself enjoying the original Peter Pan in my 40’s as an adult (arguably).
Did this book age well? No. It certainly did not. But I expected that going in. Frankly any classic, I pick up the very basic expectation is that it did not age well and I switch to read the story from the lense of the time when it was written.
Hugo’s descriptions, for example, drive me MAD MAD. Like really? We’re going to spend 20 pages describing a bridge? But then I remember that he had no idea what internet was, and many of his readers would never see the Norte Dame so, a writer’s detailed descriptions were all they had and it makes me feel better.
HOWEVER!!!
Peter Pan is a pretty good story at heart and a stellar concept. I know, I often thought about what it would be like to not have to grow up. To have that choice, at least. An eternal life, in a way. (A relatively non-violent alternative to being a vampire...soooo).
The answer varies individually, obviously but, I still found myself enjoying the tale for what it was: a good adventure.
It’s simple and yet complex at the same time.
I really like how our protagonist is morally grey and still there’s a villain at play and a variety of adventures to be had. There’s a good amount of magic, a capricious fairy and a bunch of kids looking for an escape from the realities of life and pirates. Aaarrrrgghhh.
And now I just made myself nostalgic for yet another re-read of R.L.Stevenson’s “Treasure Island”. One day my brain will stay in one lane and not dance all over the 6 lane highway. One day.
Overall, I think this is a great re-read that will never stop being fun, if for nothing else, then for the nostalgic memories of childhood when this story was a perfect 5 stars.
I would suggest avoiding reading this as a “new” story to today’s kids, as it’ll probably be boring and not very relatable to them. (Are pirates still a thing nowdays?)
Roman