Peter Pan (Oct 2013)

[Christine]

In which we discuss about the boy who never grew up.

...Even though I haven't started it yet. In my defense, I have read the book 3 times I think so even if I get behind I think I'm covered. Yeah? Yeah! :D

[deborah]

Yes! :D

I've read it at least twice I think... (Plus my little brother had the audio book out of the library awhile back and listened to it about a billion times, so I re-heard lots of it over and over at that point. XD)

I read the first two chapters yesterday... *cheers*

[Linda]

Thanks Lauri for creating the thread! :)

I've now read the first two chapters and so far the story seems good.
But I'm having hard time with the Finnish translation: Tinker Bell is usually translated as Helinä. I like that translation. I'm used to it. I think Helinä sounds beautiful.
So, to my horror and shock, the edition that I'm reading has translated Tinker Bell as Raikuli.
...
...
It just has to be one of the worst name translations ever. To me, Raikuli sounds horrible. D:

But I guess I just have to get used to it...

[Linda]

So, how’s your reading going on? :)
I finished chapter 6 today. I like the story. I like the style of writing. But I don’t really like Peter Pan as a character. He seems pretty selfish and so far he hasn’t been very likeable. But maybe that is going to change. Also, Tinker Bell doesn’t seem to be a nice person either. Actually, in that sense, Raikuli is a better translation than Helinä.

My favorite characters so far are Wendy and her brothers. And of course Nana! :)

[Christine]

Ack! I've been so busy NaNo plotting I haven't had a chance to come over here.

I've read the first seven chapters and am enjoying reading it again immensely. It's been way too long since I've read it last. I've forgotten how WEIRD this book is though. It's so...silly. XD Lots of nonsense, but I love nonsense, so that's okay.

Odile, that's funny you said you're not crazy about Peter Pan because I came over here to say the exact same thing and then saw you did. It's weird, I love the character Peter Pan, he's one of my favorite fictional characters. He's a fascinating character. And then I forget the original Peter Pan, the book version. When I go read the book most of the time I'm all, "UUUGH, Peter, STOP." He's just so annoying. And painfully prideful. He really gets on my nerves through most of the book, but I always forget that until I go back to read it, because there's something about Peter that's still appealing. I don't knooow, I have weird views on things.

Tinker Bell is also a character I somehow manage to love and hate at the same time... I agree with you, Odile, Helinä is a beautiful translation but Raikuli? *grimaces*

I also forgot how morbid the book can be. It's a children's story and yet it can get awfully gruesome at times. It has a very dark humor to it. Like saying how even while Hook is ripping you apart he has a grand air about him. It's all very strange for a children's story. This whole book has a very...peculiar style to it. I kind of like it, it's just unexpected I guess.

One thing I've always loved about it though is how the author acts as if he is talking to you directly, almost breaking the fourth wall. Do you know what I'm talking about? It's not something you ever really see and I think it's fun. I wouldn't want it in most books, but it somehow works for Peter Pan.

I adore Wendy and Nana! I love how Wendy gets so thrilled about being "Mother". She takes to her role very seriously.

Anywhoozle, I'm thoroughly enjoying going through this book again!

[Miriam]

Ahhh. I really need to start reading but... this week is not time enough and I am ahhhh. yeah. Going to start reading sooner or later....

[deborah]

Hey! How are we doing? My internet was out for a week so I'm behind on stuff...

Also, I'll try to join the conversation when I can but at the moment every time I'm on the internet I'm busy doing Nano stuff. :-/

I'm still only a couple chapters into the book, but I'm going to finish this week because I'm camping so I should have plenty of time to read. :)

[Linda]

I’m sorry I haven’t been here more often! :(
I finished reading Peter Pan today and I gave it 3 stars.
(view spoiler)[
It was well-written and I felt like there was a deeper meaning behind the story. I disliked Peter although I felt sorry for him in the end. And I felt sorry for Tinker Bell since Peter had totally forgotten about her.

Peter didn’t become any nicer during the story so I just couldn’t like him. I agree with Lauri; he really got on my nerves. He was so full of himself. He didn’t think about consequences of his actions.
However, I think he is a very interesting character. He lives in the moment. He goes through amazing adventures and meets a lot of people. But eventually he forgets them since there is always new adventures and new people. He didn’t forget Wendy, though. At least not when she was alive.
At the end I felt sorry for Wendy when she couldn’t go to Neverland. It was heartbreaking. :(

I also thought it was strange for a children’s story to be so dark and violent. Peter Pan killed those pirates like it was nothing. It was just a game for him.
But I also liked the writing style. It made the book different.

I also loved that the author was talking directly to the reader. One book I really loved as a child had same kind of style and it suited well for that book too. Like Lauri said, it’s something you don’t see often in books.

So, overall, I gave 3 stars for great writing style, interesting story and making me emotional at the end. I would probably have liked this more when I was a child. There were some things that I didn’t like so much. I think some characters (like Tiger Lily and the lost boys) had much more potential but they only played a small part (or almost no part at all) on the plot.
(hide spoiler)]
After finishing I’m very happy we chose this book. I had a nice reading experience and I’m looking forward to December when we’re reading our next book! :)