Peter Pan (Everyman's Library Children's Classics)

by J.M. Barrie

book data

6,199 ratings, 4.11 average rating, 673 reviews (more data...)

rating	frequency	%
5		41%
4		33%
3		19%
2		4%
1		0%

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published

October 29th 1992 (first published 1911) by Everyman's Library

binding

Hardcover, 218 pages

characters

Peter Pan, Wendy Darling, Captain Hook, Smee

setting

The United Kingdom

isbn

1857159020 (isbn13: 9781857159028)

description

Barrie's classic tale of the boy who wouldn't grow up. It started life as a series of stories made up for the five Llewelyn Davies boys, who were virt...more

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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 8,237)

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03/28/08

Janene rated it:

(review of isbn 1566197139)

Read in April, 2008

This was such a treat! Three things: 1. It made me realize what a perfect Pan-type Peter I married, so many similarities, some that made me laugh out loud. 2. It made me want to look into my 4-yr-old's imaginitive eyes a little longer. 3. I also occasionally picked up my 20-month-old while sleeping just to rock and enjoy him for extra minutes.

This book just so fully captures childhood and the problem of growing up, in a witty way. If you've never read it, really you must! ...more

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01/02/09

Nikki rated it:

(review of isbn 0140621415)

bookshelves: speculative-fiction, younger-readers

Read in January, 2009

I can't believe I've never actually read Peter Pan until now. I'd seen the Disney version, but this is both more charming and more sinister than that. There are lots of sweet little details, like mothers tidying up their children's thoughts, and the kiss on the corner of Mrs Darling's mouth.

But Peter is a monstrous sort of figure when you get past the romance of Neverland. He's a wild boy, selfish and cocky. Instead of being a kind of example of innocent childhood, he almost brings ...more

Like this review? yes (3 people liked it)

3 comments

08/26/08

Andrew rated it:

(review of isbn 0805072454)

Read in March, 2009

I was surprised by this book in many good ways. I was expecting something that glorified the Child and its imagination, and perhaps cursed the unstoppable destruction of our Childinity. I was surprised to see this was not truly so. Barrie loves the Child, but he does not hide its foolishness, its selfishness, its ignorance. The Child in this is almost pre-moral. They have some understanding of villainy, but do not grasp the virtue of a hero. Barrie deems a key attribute to being a child as...more I was surprised by this book in many good ways. I was expecting something that glorified the Child and its imagination, and perhaps cursed the unstoppable destruction of our Childinity. I was surprised to see this was not truly so. Barrie loves the Child, but he does not hide its foolishness, its selfishness, its ignorance. The Child in this is almost pre-moral. They have some understanding of villainy, but do not grasp the virtue of a hero. Barrie deems a key attribute to being a child as being heartless. All of this raises many points for potential argument and discussion and this is why this book so impressed me. Because I am still thinking about it.

It is interesting to think that Barrie was mostly a playwright because I highly enjoyed the playful narrative voice he employed and would mark it as one of my key enjoyments for the book. I love a remarkable narrative voice, though I can't say it is entirely unique. However I may be judging it by its followers as opposed to its peers or master. Regardless, I was entertained and thus I applaud.

It should be noted that the sensibilities of this book are not those of today's children entertainment. Most notably, Barrie does not sidestep the fact that the lost boys actively seek to kill pirates. This goes back again to one of my earlier comments, but it may seriously affect the reader. This could bring up many discussions of its own: the place of killing in the imagination of a child, how a child views the struggle between good and evil when they perhaps can't properly discern the two, the distinction between our modern censorship and older standards and they why of all of that, and plenty of other things. However if a parent is looking for a book to read to their child, I just figured this should be brought up.

As an aside: for those who know the premise behind the comic series Fables, the writer originally intended for Peter Pan to be the Adversary only to find out that they didn't have rights to the character if they published in the UK. After reading this book I can totally see the interpretation he was going with. It makes for a fun idea. He would have obviously had to constructed the means of the Adversary differently, but Pan as a villain is not unbelievable after this book.(less)

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06/04/08

Brad rated it:

(review of isbn 0805072454)

bookshelves: children

I am not sure I can see why Peter Pan is such a beloved "classic." J.M. Barrie's story of the boy who wouldn't grow up just didn't reach me. And I read it aloud to 4 year old boy-girl twins.

Oh, they enjoyed it, and I may have bred a love for the story in them that will last (which could be exactly why the story has endured -- parental readings), but no matter how much they liked Peter Pan I could not see the appeal.

Wendy drove me crazy; Peter grew increasingly a...more

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12/22/08

Noelani added it (review of isbn 0805072454)

This is my favorite book of all time. When you grow up with the "overly-nice" Disney version of the story, picking up this book for the first time can be quite a shock. The book will also shatter the image that most girls have of Tinkerbell but personally-I prefer the original. Johnny Corkscrew, Peter's idea of a kiss, sewing on a shadow, sifting through the thoughts of your children as they sleep... So many things about this book are missed by those who never bother to pick it up...more

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01/04/09

Jenn rated it:

(review of isbn 0881010693)

bookshelves: children-s

I am specifically reviewing the illustrated, unabridged Unicorn edition of Peter Pan, published in 1987, ISBN 0881010693.

In 1990, my grandparents sent me Unicorn editions of Robin Hood, Pinocchio, and a Christmas Carol. All three books are clothbound, with embossed gold lettering on the covers and spine that, almost 20 years later, are only beginning to fade. The books are large, unabridged, and heavy: each book in the Unicorn series is over a foot long, almost too tall to shelve co...more

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11/17/08

Wes rated it:

(review of isbn 1593082134)

bookshelves: adventure, fantasy, fiction, personal-favorite

Read in February, 2009

‘For me to describe to you now in black and white the happenings in “Peter Pan” would be a thankless task. One cannot communicate the magic of a dream. People who insist on telling their dreams are among the terrors of the breakfast table. You must go to the Duke of York's, there to dream the dream for yourselves.’ —Max Beerbohm, January 7, 1905 (excerpted from the “views” section of this edition)

Disney's animated Peter Pan seemed to be an obsession of mine as a ratty c...more

Like this review? yes (1 person liked it)

3 comments

10/24/08

Nola rated it:

(review of isbn 0553211781)

bookshelves: children-s, fiction---fantasy, fiction---young-adult

Read in October, 2008

recommends it for: parents

Michael and I have been reading Peter Pan as part of our nightly bedtime routine. In all honesty, I didn't have high hopes for it as a kids book, despite it being a classic, just because it is so long. But it has quickly become one of my children's favorite. The language is so lighthearted and humorous that it is funny to read, and as usual I am amazed by what my children understand. We were happy to meet our old pal, Captain Flint, of "Treasure Island" fame, even in passing, and it wa...more Michael and I have been reading Peter Pan as part of our nightly bedtime routine. In all honesty, I didn't have high hopes for it as a kids book, despite it being a classic, just because it is so long. But it has quickly become one of my children's favorite. The language is so lighthearted and humorous that it is funny to read, and as usual I am amazed by what my children understand. We were happy to meet our old pal, Captain Flint, of "Treasure Island" fame, even in passing, and it was enjoyable to see that <gasp> evil as he was, he was afraid of Captain Hook. The kids picked up on the whimsical nature of the story, and I think there were parts that I missed that they got!

In passing, it is worth noting how much times have changed since Peter Pan was first published. There were words and customs that I did not know the meaning of (shocking, I know); most of the problem, I think, came from the 19th century English setting and culture. I'm still trying to figure out where Captain Hook matriculated from - Eton? Oxford? Somewhere else? Of course, this was quite painful for my inquisitive children, who wanted to know what was being said, and while I wanted to say "let's look it up", the novel's role in our bedtime routine made that quite unlikely. However, there is a good chance that we will make liberal use of the dictionary and encyclopedia when we read it in daylight hours (Dawn is already clamoring to have it to herself).

It was interesting, as always, to note how many changes were made when Disney created the movie. I also appreciated how much the movie “Hook” brought back from the story; I think Dustin Hoffman’s portrayal was an excellent example of the vicious pirate, though I had never realized it before. I particularly enjoyed learning that Peter’s directions of “First star to the right, and straight on ‘til morning” are, in fact, NOT the coordinates of Neverland! Shocking, isn’t it? I won’t divulge its real location, however; you will have to open the book and find out for yourself.

Anyone familiar with the stage or screen versions will recognize many of the events in the novel. It is the characterization and attention to detail that really make this story shine, however. So much is explained in such colorful language that no child can fail to be charmed. And, though the Lost Boys and Peter Pan did not display the most excellent example, they provided a great discussion of how not to behave and (my personal favorite) why a mother is so very important, needed, and wanted. Children of all ages will be delighted by this classic, and, if mine are any indication, will clamor for it again and again.
(less)

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09/24/08

Melissa rated it:

(review of other edition)

My children wanted to do our read aloud outside this evening. So we went on the patio and I began reading "Peter Pan." I read about how the mermaids would play with the bubbles, but when the children would come they would all disappear, but they would secretly watch. Pretty soon I hear over the fence our 11 year old neighbor boy say, "Is that Peter Pan?" "Yes," I say, "Would you like to come listen?" "I've been listening from here," he says. So I...more

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02/20/08

Heidi rated it:

(review of isbn 0805072454)

bookshelves: 2009-book-challenge, audio, childrens, fiction

Read in March, 2009

Picked this for my "Read a classic" in my 2009 Book Challenge. About time I actually read the book instead of going off of movie/play adaptations and spin-offs.

I think I like the 2005(?) movie version better. It brought magic/romance/depth to the story where I thought it should be. Not that the book is awful. I guess I'm just familiar enough with the storyline that some of the telling dragged on. Some of the writing style was actually annoying (e.g. giving all these hints o...more

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01/19/08

Zigforas rated it:

(review of isbn 1566197139)

bookshelves: 1910s, before-high-school, fiction, for-children

A favorite exchange:

“I can’t come,” she said apologetically. “I have forgotten how to fly.”
“I’ll soon teach you again.”
“O Peter, don’t waste the fairy dust on me.”
She had risen, and now at last a fear assailed him. “What is it?” he cried, shrinking.
“I will turn up the light,” she said, “and then you can see for yourself.”
For almost the only time in his life that I know of, Peter was afraid. "Don't turn up the light,...more

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11/20/07

Kelly rated it:

(review of isbn 0553150855)

Read in December, 2007

The last three books I finished were all trauma-related nonfiction. So one morning before work, I scanned my shelves hoping to find something I hadn't read four times already, to occupy my morning commute - something light and untraumatic. Classic fiction for children seemed like a good idea, so I pulled down this copy of Peter Pan that I've had since about fifth grade.

I soon remembered why my fifth grade self couldn't stomach finishing even Chapter Three. By that point, Peter has...more

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03/10/09

Kassi rated it:

(review of isbn 0805072454)

bookshelves: read-in-2009

Read in May, 2009

I picked up what I thought would be a playful fairy tale and got just that; for I had forgotten about the cannibalistic witch in Hansel and Gretel, about the Sea Witch in The Little Mermaid, and about the Wolf in the original telling of Little Red Riding Hood. This is a haunting and horrific tale of abuse and neglect masked with the innocent ideals of childhood. It came to a chilling conclusion and will stay with me for quite a while.

I am quite impressed that the themes in this book...more

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06/01/09

Alethea rated it:

(review of isbn 0739336908)

bookshelves: anglophiles, audiobook, boys-and-girls, classics, fairies, funny, literature, love, magic, pirates, sci-fi-fantasy

Read in June, 2009

I just bought the Tim Curry version (bargain CD) but I can't resist a Jim Dale audio. Though now I am imagining a diminutive cast of Pushing Daisies as the characters of the book: Lee Pace as Peter Pan, Anna Friel as Wendy, Kristin Chenoweth as Tinkerbell (as if that's a stretch!), although that might make Chi McBride into Captain Hook. Oh! I can do one better. Swoosie Kurtz can be hook, her PD character already has an eye patch and a piratical mien.

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1 comment

12/01/08

Jeffrey rated it:

(review of isbn 0805072454)

Read in December, 2008

A wonderful book. As deserving of being remembered as it has been. For those with kids, I would suggest reading it before embarking on reading it out loud as standards for what is child appropriate has shifted from when it was written (largely to the child's detriment :) ). The book was written after the play, and you can still see some features of a live audience in the book. Having given my previous warning, I would suggest taking the opportunity to read outloud when appropriate, as the la...more

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02/04/09

Jessi rated it:

(review of isbn 0805072454)

bookshelves: amory-s-books

Read in February, 2009

I read this book to my daughter to put her down for naps and bed. It wasn't this particular edition, but this is the only one they have on the goodreads database.

This book is so messed up. I knew it would be right from the beginning when Wendy's mother somehow went inside her children's brains and organized their thoughts for them. I'm ashamed to say, but I was expecting this to be more like the Disney version. It wasn't at all. I was shocked at all the killing and gore going on. For...more I read this book to my daughter to put her down for naps and bed. It wasn't this particular edition, but this is the only one they have on the goodreads database.

This book is so messed up. I knew it would be right from the beginning when Wendy's mother somehow went inside her children's brains and organized their thoughts for them. I'm ashamed to say, but I was expecting this to be more like the Disney version. It wasn't at all. I was shocked at all the killing and gore going on. For a children's book, it sure is bloody. I do have to say that it is the single most imaginative story I have ever read. The part, where a fairy is born every time a baby has a first laugh, gets me right to the soul.

Speaking of fairies. Tinker Bell has quite a cult following especially now that these new movies are coming out about her. The way Tink is portrayed in the original version of Peter Pan is not flattering at all. In fact, she is my least favorite character. Beyond trying to kill Wendy, she is rude to everyone including Peter Pan. The phrase she uses the most is, "You silly ass." Of course, she saves Peter's life later, so I guess she's redeemed.

The way the redskins are portrayed is probably not considered politically correct these days. I think they were the most believable bad guys until Peter saved Tiger Lily, and they became allies.

The pirates were just funny. They were dumb and wishy washy in their loyalty to Hook. I don't really see how the children killed all the pirates coming out completely unscathed. For that matter, how could the children be so willing and excited to take another human life. Then after taking the life, they were more exhilarated by the fact that they were staying up past their bedtime.

It was also interesting to see Hooks ridiculous phobia of the crocodile. I think the crocodile is one of my favorite characters. The only way the boys could tell time was to follow the crocodile until the bell of the clock chimed. The croc's single minded determination to eat the rest of Hook was admirable.

The end of the book was very touching. It was like it was Wendy's legacy to all the girls in her line to become the mother of Peter Pan. That was a special privilege to them only.(less)

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02/04/09

David Edmonds rated it:

(review of isbn 0805072454)

Read in January, 2009

This was my first reading of J. M. Barrie's classic tale of the boy who would never grow up, Peter Pan. I'm pretty sure everyone is familiar with the story of Peter Pan, so I'll just highlight my thoughts about the book. Having always been steeped in the Disney version of the story, I was a little surprised by the darker and more violent elements of the original story, but found that they added an element to the story that really illustrates how much of a child Peter Pan truly is. I found myself...more

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07/26/08

Michaela rated it:

(review of isbn 0805072454)

recommended to Michaela by: Yet ANOTHER sister
recommends it for: Anyone with imagination

Now I know there are Very many different Book versions and plays, But my favorite is the First Novel version she ever wrote. And I'm picky about my illustrations. I like my edition, with Peter having Red, curly hair, and you can easily see is baby teeth. But that is the version that I connect with most, having grown up with it. This started my fascination with writing that could be taken literally or metaphorically. It has inspired some of my own Writing and poems.

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04/13/09

Purplycookie rated it:

(review of isbn 0140366741)

bookshelves: childrens-books, classics, fantasy

Read in December, 2008

"Do you believe in fairies?"
"You see, Wendy, when the first baby laughed for the first time, its laugh broke into a thousand pieces, and they all went skipping about, and that was the beginning of fairies. And so, there ought to be one fairy for every boy and girl."

Barrie's "Peter Pan" is a truly beautiful work. It is never too cloyingly sweet or too harsh, and the child's perspective of the world is beautifully crafted. It does, however, bring yo...more

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02/18/09

SJKessel Castleman rated it:

(review of isbn 0689866917)

Barrie, J.M. (2003). Peter Pan. New York: Aladdin Paperbacks.

0689866917

It seems with several movie versions, Hook, Finding Neverland, and the actual play, nobody could escape knowing something of the story of Peter Pan. However, it seems that only a small number of people actually read the book these days. Those that do, will discover a shockingly complicated and difficult text. Jumps in time and point of view, numerous metaphors, images, cultural and historic ref...more