2019 EDIT: Yeah, what a sexist and racist children's book. If you replace the number of times the word "mother" is used with the word "slave", then there is a whole new level of terrifying. Barrie was obsessed with the idea that every young girl needs to be a mother to unruly, lonely boys someday. "A product of its time" cannot be used as an excuse anymore. I wouldn't read 'Peter Pan' as a bedtime story. Tiger Lily deserved better, too (even in her own book, 'Tiger Lily' by Jodi Lynn Anderson, which I dislike greatly). Rating change.
Still an interesting fantasy read. Watch out for Captain Hook and Mr Darling. The author might also have been aware of how bloodthirsty Peter Pan is. He is a tragic figure, not one to be looked up to. I still somewhat have an admiration for the level of violence in 'Peter Pan', for a classic children's tale.
Final Score: 3/5
Original Review:
No need to mention what this story is about and what an impact it has had on Popular culture. I just knew I had to read the original source material, as a fantasy and classics lover.
'Peter Pan' by J.M. Barrie is a wonderfully-written magical tale about childhood, imagination and growing up. The iconic themes and characters are all here; I have never read of a 19th-20th century author possessing so much creativity and passion. And I didn't know beforehand that it was indeed Mr. Barrie who invented the name "Wendy".
He clearly knew a lot about children and their relationship with parents.
The heart of the story is, of course, Peter Pan - the boy who never grew up. Like the narrative, he is cheeky, selfish, impulsive, conceited and cocky - much like all children with no adults to guide him through life. And in this creation lies Barrie's darker themes:
Peter continually loses himself in a moment of adventure and excitement. But he will likely forget all about it when the next adventure comes along. He won't remember anything or anyone once they are gone from his attention, even when someone tries to talk to him about them. This gradually happens to the Darling children also once they are in the never-changing world of Neverland. Their past home becomes irrelevant to them and so they forget, like children sometimes do.
Peter hates grown-ups, and he thinks he doesn't need a mother to look after him. His biggest fear is becoming a man, with no play or innocence. Neverland gives him escapism - no responsibilities or rules, unless he makes them. His leadership over the lost boys shows he wants control of his own life, and bars himself from the real world so as not to risk getting hurt.
So perhaps he forgets things deliberately sometimes; like with children who repress bad memories and the feelings that come with them. In 'Peter Pan' lies Barrie's tragic theme in the book - the tragedy of a child with no clear identity. Throughout the whole story he is an enigma, even to himself. He has friends and followers, but he is lonely without any guidance.
I have a theory that perhaps Peter and Mr Darling (and Captain James Hook) are linked by this theme. Mr Darling is the authoritative man of the Darling house, but he has deep insecurities. He gets overly emotional, and does impulsive and childish things when he is not given the attention he thinks he deserves. He could be a representation of a child who has not grown up properly - a man-child, as it were: someone who is not as in control as he wants to be. Like Peter, he may still want to be a child, free of responsibilities and full of favourable attention from peers. But in the end he turns out to be a good, loving father; showing that a male parent is as important as a female parent.
Captain Hook is a tragic figure also, full of depth and insecurities despite his dark outward personality. Good form, bad form... tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock...
So the book is good as a whimsical children's story, and as a psychological piece. Darkness lurks in 'Peter Pan', no matter what some adaptations omit...
'Peter Pan' is a violent book - best be prepared for that. Peter and the lost boys - and even John and Michael Darling - have no qualms whatsoever about killing pirates brutally. I'm not a fan of censorship, but I can see why most adaptations would downplay this.
Now, as other reviewers have mentioned already, this could signify children's views on death in general. They like to play at "killing" each other, and don't really understand the subject or its seriousness. And since Peter and the lost boys have no parents or adult figures teaching them about responsibilities and consequences of actions, they feel they can kill simply because they can.
Another thing to address: 'Peter Pan', despite its being loved and cherished even to this day, is still a product of its time. So in some instances it comes across as being very sexist and racist. Others have already spoken about the portrayal of the Native Americans in Neverland, so I will talk about the sexism:
'Peter Pan' conveys the message that all women, even little girls like Wendy, have only one useful role in life: to be mothers or mother figures. And with that comes sewing, washing, drying, bathing and cooking. Wendy does not participate much in the boy's adventures.
But I have to remind myself that this book is, again, a product of its time. It was published in 1911 - women weren't even allowed to vote then. Also, Wendy as a character isn't bland. She is a kind but stern little madam who takes injustice from no one (mostly). The narration frequently tells her perspective, where she observes Peter Pan and his oddities and mysteriousness.
I may be a feminist, but I am not against motherhood, if that's what a woman chooses (though they didn't have much of a choice in the days when this book was written). Mothers can be strong, capable women anyway, and 'Peter Pan''s main theme is about the importance of children needing a mother's love and care to set them right; lest they become like the poor and confused Peter Pan, who is not as happy as he appears.
There is also Tinker Bell's characterisation. While I do love her and her feisty personality, the narration clearly sets her out to be a scorned woman stereotype. Her life revolves around Peter, and she tries to get innocent little Wendy killed because she's jealous of the girl getting his attention.
However, the narrative also says that little fairies have room for only one emotion at a time; so they are dangerous creatures in general.
Still chauvinistic though.
Then there's the ending. It's one of those conclusions that might be happy and satisfying for children, but for adults who know better it can come across as disturbing. Horrifying even. But maybe Barrie intended it to be that way, to further illustrate that 'Peter Pan' is a tragedy in pixie dust frosting.
So I'm glad I've finally gotten to know the true 'Peter Pan' story. It is one of the most imaginative, exciting and clever children's books I've ever read. While I don't exactly recommend reading it to modern day children at bedtime, they should perhaps read it on their own whenever they like, as I think they are smart enough to take away what is relevant/dated/offensive today and what isn't.
An enjoyable and dark experience all in one.
Now I have to read the modern YA novel 'Tiger Lily' - I'd love to read a story about her.
Final Score: 4/5
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