Book Review: Peter Pan in Scarlet

Peter Pan in Scarlet by: Geraldine McCaughrean, Alladin Paperback, 2008.

 

This book is reported as the first-ever authorized sequel to Peter Pan.  The author won the honr via a contest.  J.M. Barrie gave the rights to Peter Pan to Great Ormond Street Hospital in 1829.  In 2004 they authorized a sequel and sponsored a contest seeking an author. 

 

It took me some time to get into this book.  For the first half, it seemed like someone was trying to be clever and copy Barrie, but never quite hitting the mark.  However, as the adventure of the story and the intrigue of the story, began to take over, then I was drawn into the book.  If I wasn’t so vested in reading the book, I may have never reached the point where it drew me in.  I am glad I finally got there. 

 

The plot is set with the “Lost Boys” now as adults, are having dreams of Never Land.  Nightmares, and these dreams leave things behind, wet sheets, or a sword or other implement her or there.  Something has to be done.  They take their concerns to Wendy, now a mother herself, and the answer is obvious—they must go back to Never Land.  To return to Never Land they must find a faerie, and they must become young again.  When they arrive there, everything is changed.  The land has been poisoned.  The mermaids all died from the poison, the Indians are not seen.  They meet Pan, and go adventuring chasing dragons.  This adventure quickly changes to one of seeking Hooks treasure.  Pan has put on Hooks second best coat, and slowly transforms into Hook himself.

Music Review: Peter Pan with Mary Martin

This is the music based on the Broadway musical; not the Disney version.  Of course we have children singing about not growing up, and pirates and Hook singing their songs.  There is Wendy singing a nice lullaby to the children, which along with Pan singing his mysterious lady song, thwarting Hook with different voices in his plans to do away with Tiger Lily.  The music from the Disney version is more familiar to me, and I think I prefer it.

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.

Movie Review: ***^ Peter Pan 2003

  This movie follows the story of Peter Pan quite well, but puts a bit darker spin on it.  This spin is accomplished by the characters being a bit rougher, and meaner than the characters in other versions of Peter Pan.  It also plays on the idea of believing leading to being able to over come.  There is a scene where Peter loses his faith that Wendy likes him and believes in him, and consequently he begins to loss his battle with Captain Hook.  However Wendy is able to get the message to him that she does believe in him, and things turn out OK.