Book Review: Peter Pan

I just finished Peter Pan,  the centennial edition (2003), reprint of the 1987 version of the book by J.M. Barrie and illustrated by Michael Hague.  This is the classic story, with pencil, pen, ink and water color illustrations.  This is the most popular work of J.M. Barry, which was originally produced as a play, and later written as a book, although Barrie had mentioned this character in several earlier books.  It tells the story of Peter Pan, and the Darling children, who almost forget their mother after being in Never Land, but eventually do come home, and grow up, while Peter remains a boy.  This version is much more bloody than I had supposed, as in the book are people actually dying, while in the Disney version people don’t seem to really die much.  The pirates are intent on killing Peter Pan and the Lost Boys, and do get the better of the native Americans.  They take the Lost Boys and Wendy prisoner with the intent of their walking the plank.  However Peter Pan intervenes before this can happen, dispatching several of the pirates, in fact all of the pirates, except the two that swim to shore. 

Peter hopes to spoil Wendy’s return home by shutting the window, but then takes pitty on Mrs. Darling and reopens the window.  Wendy is to come every year for Spring cleaning, but most years Peter forgets to get and get her.  Wendy grows up, but Jane her daughter goes every Spring, and then Jane’s daughter and so on through the years.  Very enjoyable read and to illustrations are very nice.