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Peter Pan

Book 1 in the series:Peter Pan

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"Peter Pan" by J.M. Barrie follows the adventures of three siblings who travel with a boy named Peter Pan to a magical island called Neverland. Peter Pan, a boy who never grows up, leads them on thrilling escapades with the Lost Boys, Captain Hook, and TinkerBell. The story touches on themes of childhood wonder, the fear of growing up, and the importance of family and loyalty. The writing style is described as charming, whimsical, and engaging, with Barrie's language evolving as the story progresses.

Characters:

Characters in the story, such as Peter Pan, Wendy, and Captain Hook, display complex traits that challenge traditional character roles, with Peter being both a hero and a brat.

Writing/Prose:

Barrie's writing style is characterized by whimsical, playful prose, and rich descriptive language that captures childhood imagination.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot centers on Peter Pan's adventures with the Darling children in Neverland, combining themes of childhood innocence and danger.

Setting:

The setting alternates between the bustling nursery of London and the fantastical, perilous land of Neverland.

Pacing:

Pacing in the book varies, with rapid adventures contrasted by slower, more detailed narrative moments.
ALL CHILDREN, EXCEPT ONE, grow up. They soon know that they will grow up, and the way Wendy knew was this. One day when she was two years old she was playing in a garden, and she plucked another flowe...

Notes:

Peter Pan first appeared as a character in J.M. Barrie's 1902 novel 'The Little White Bird'.
The play 'Peter Pan, or The Boy Who Wouldn’t Grow Up' premiered in 1904 before the novelization in 1911.
Peter Pan is portrayed as selfish and childlike, lacking understanding of adult emotions and relationships.
Barrie's writing includes dark themes; characters face violence and abandonment, contrasting with the lighter Disney adaptations.
Tinker Bell is depicted as jealous and spiteful, differing greatly from the Disney portrayal.
The original story does not mention the iconic quote regarding Neverland's location as 'second star to the right'—that phrase was popularized by Disney.
The relationship between Peter Pan and Wendy highlights themes of motherhood and the complexities of growing up.
Hook is portrayed with a blend of charm and villainy, representing the dangers of adulthood in contrast to Peter's eternal youth.
Barrie explores the idea of childhood innocence being intertwined with darker elements like loss and mortality.
The character of Peter Pan can be seen as a commentary on the tragedy of perpetual childhood and the selfishness often found in youth.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

The book includes themes of violence, death, and complex gender roles which may be unsettling for modern readers.

From The Publisher:

"All children, except one, grow up."

And so begins the story of one of the most cherished characters in children's literature, Peter Pan. In J.M. Barrie's classic unabridged tale, the lives of Wendy, John, and Michael Darling change forever the night that Peter Pan and Tinkerbell the fairy fly into the Darling home looking for Peter's shadow. Once he teaches Wendy, John, and Michael how to fly with him back to the Neverland, imaginations and adventures unfurl.

Ratings (56)

Incredible (11)
Loved It (16)
Liked It (17)
It Was OK (5)
Did Not Like (5)
Hated It (2)

Reader Stats (107):

Read It (62)
Want To Read (23)
Did Not Finish (1)
Not Interested (21)

2 comment(s)

Incredible
1 week

Have loved the Peter pan story sense I was a kid but don't think I read the original back then.

 
Loved It
3 months

I've always loved the story of Peter Pan, in its many forms - from the Disney version, to Mary Martin's version, to the newer Peter Pan with Jason Isaacs, to the movie Finding Neverland. I read the original when I was a child and was horrified by the word "ass" and recently reread it. Still a great story, great read, and great adventure.

 

About the Author:

J.M. Barrie, the son of a weaver, was born near Dundee, Scotland, in 1860. He was a journalist and novelist and began writing for the stage in 1892. Peter Pan, first produced in London on December 27, 1904, was an immediate success. The story of Peter Pan first appeared in book form (titled Peter and Wendy, and later Peter Pan and Wendy) in 1911. Barrie died in 1937, bequeathing the copyright of Peter Pan to the Great Ormond Street Hospital in London, a hospital for children.

 
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