You Can Fly: A Sequel to the Peter Pan Tales

by Chuck Rosenthal

Thomas Pandora is the son of Peter Pan and Wendy, but Thomas doesn't know it. They've hidden it from him, wisely or not, to protect him, and they plan to hide it from him all their lives. On the eve of Thomas Pandora's thirteenth birthday he's visited by a mysterious fairy named Tink who tells him that Hook is back, and without Peter Pan there to protect Never Never Land, Hook will soon have it conquered and despoiled. He, Thomas Pandora, is the only one who can save them.

151 pages, Paperback

Published September 23, 2017

About the author

Chuck Rosenthal, also known as C.P. Rosenthal, is an American novelist, short story writer, and memoirist whose work spans several decades and genres. Since the 1980s, he has authored a rich body of literary fiction, blending philosophical inquiry with imaginative storytelling. A longtime Professor of English at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, Rosenthal is also known for his collaborative work with his wife, the poet Gail Wronsky.
Rosenthal’s bibliography includes the acclaimed Loop Trilogy—Loop’s Progress, Experiments in Life and Deaf, and Loop’s End—as well as a wide range of other novels such as Elena of the Stars, inspired by his daughter Marlena Rosenthal, Jack Kerouac’s Avatar Angel: His Last Novel, and The Heart of Mars. His fiction often explores themes of identity, language, and transcendence, sometimes drawing on iconic literary or mythological figures, as seen in You Can Fly: A Sequel to the Peter Pan Tales and The Legend of La Diosa.
In nonfiction, Rosenthal's memoir Never Let Me Go reflects on personal and familial relationships, while West of Eden and Are We Not There Yet? chronicle life in Los Angeles and travels through South Asia, respectively. His literary voice is both cerebral and playful, deeply philosophical yet grounded in the human experience.
Chuck Rosenthal’s body of work also includes The Shortest Farewells Are the Best, a noir flash fiction collection co-authored with Wronsky, and the speculative Tomorrow You’ll Be One of Us: Sci Fi Poems, further demonstrating his versatility and genre-crossing instincts.
A vibrant voice in contemporary American literature, Rosenthal is as dedicated to teaching and literary exploration as he is to writing, continuing to shape readers and writers alike with his thoughtful, inventive prose.

Reviews

[HighPrairieBookworm - Jonni Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a strange book. It’s a fairy tale/fantasy for adults. It’s definitely not for children.

I didn’t realize that when I first started reading. The first few pages were slow and I thought simple and eccentric. But I was in one of those rare moods where I was willing to put up with simple and eccentric and see where it went. It really wasn’t until Tinkerbelle showed up that I got really interested in what was happening.

Thomas P. Pandora is the son of Peter Pan and Wendy although he doesn’t know that. His personality is different from his father’s who was lighthearted, playful, and mischievous. Thomas is thoughtful, pragmatic, and understands strategy. Even so, he doesn’t want war and he doesn’t want to fight. All he wants is to not grow up.

But he has to fight in order to save Neverland, the Lost Boys, and the magic that keeps everything together.

This is a sad and violent story. It can be graphic. The “new” Wendy is a warrior and a fighter. Tinkerbelle is treacherous and duplicitous. Interestingly, Hook’s nemesis the crocodile was one of the more agreeable creatures in the story.

If you’re looking for something fun to read, this isn’t it. It’s an interesting and sad read. If you’re in the mood for a dark retold-fairy tale this may be one you might like.

In the interest of full disclosure, I received this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Kathy Duffy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sticks faithfully to the Pan Canon -- Hook is here, the ticking crocodile, the evil Smee, the mermaids, the gypsies, and Tiger Lily along with Tinkerbell and some lost boys. What is new is the new PAN the son of the original Peter Pan who grew older by flying back and forth bringing Wendy and Lost Boys to Never Never Land. The new Wendy is the grand daughter of a former Wendy brought back by Tinkerbell, although she soon regrets it since the new Wendy is skillful in shooting arrows and is not interested in mothering anyone.

A rollicking adventure as the new Pan confronts old grudges, magic, and discovers the Pirates and Hook really are evil.

Excellent for reading to 3rd graders and up. Personal reading level probably around 4th grade.

[Angela · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love the original Peter Pan story and have enjoyed updated versions of it so I had high hopes for this book. Unfortunately, I was very disappointed.

You Can Fly is a very short novel but I struggled to get through it because I simply could not stay focused. The story did not sustain my interest. Characters were reflections of the originals - Peter Pan, Wendi, Tinkerbell, the Lost Boys, Captain Hook, Tiger Lily - but had no depth of their own. I felt that the author was trying to convey some meaning about growing up or innocence or childhood but I never quite grasped what he was trying to say. The action felt choppy, repetitive, and ultimately pointless.

[Debbie Maskus · Rating 1 out of 5]

For a short book, the reading time continued like a plague. I expected fun and excitement, and only found boredom and clichés. I felt that I might be reading an uneventful children's author, but the constant mention of sex stopped those thoughts. The story read like one of the 1950's primers for elementary students, with battles and killing and violence. I have read J M Barrie's Peter Pan, and yes, Rosenthal presents the same characters, but with lack of emotion.

[Maryann · Rating 1 out of 5]

I couldn't finish this short novel. I got halfway through and lost all motivation to continue. The characters are wooden and strange, the writing felt choppy and while the characters in the original Peter Pan and Wendy story are similar/same, that's the only connection. I couldn't tell who the author's audience is, due to the more mature nature of some of the writing. Sadly, I have no interest in how the book ends.

[Kim Piddington · Rating 3 out of 5]

As other reviewers have mentioned- I think I expected this to be a book for teens based on the protagonists age and its length-it certainly is not. However, I found it engaging and thought provoking-I thought Peter was complex and it had a nice twist at the end.

[Tena · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won this in a GOODREADS giveaway.

[Tracey A. Stark · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed it. It basically piggybacks on the original tale. There was some good plots and it was a light read.