Welcome to Page 22 of I Read That Book! On each Page, I’ll tell you a little about a book I read, often in a fun and informal manner, with the hope that you also may become interested enough to read it – or perhaps read it again if you’ve already enjoyed it once. The books I’ll be featuring come from a variety of genres at differing stages of my life, so whether you prefer history, literature, science fiction, or horror, there’s a good chance you’ll get some interesting ideas for your personal “To Be Read” list. Thank you for joining me on this journey as we flip through the pages of some of my favorite books. But before you start reading below, I invite you to grab a cup of your favorite beverage (coffee for me!) and find a comfortable place to sit, then turn to Page 22.
PETER PAN, THE STORY OF PETER AND WENDY by James M. Barrie
Publication Date: 1911
All children, except one, grow up.
The story of Peter Pan holds a magical place in my heart, from the Mary Martin musical to Disney’s delightful, animated version, to a number of more modern movies, and, of course, the novel. The image below is a picture of my copy, and though the ends are frayed, and the dust jacket is long gone, this was my mother’s, making it all the more valuable in my heart.
This Grosset & Dunlap publication features a number of pictures from the photoplay, as explained on the right-side page in the image below.
The story of the boy who wouldn’t grow up has influenced many creators over the years, and you can find Peter Pan themes in various genres of fiction, along with movies and TV shows. And though it seems to me that kids often do want to grow up, —unlike Peter Pan—once we’ve been an adult for a while, we often feel wistful for those days of childhood that now seem so far away. Hence, this is a story that adults can enjoy every bit as much as children.
The melancholy song Never Never Land may make you sad, or perhaps it instills a sense of joy to your inner child; either way, it’s more than likely going to evoke an emotion in your heart and soul and take you away to a different time and place. If the song made you a little melancholy, perhaps you’re accusing me of bad form.
I appreciate it when film versions use “form,” as it’s found several times in the novel; whether good form or bad form, of course, it’s dependent upon the speaker’s perspective.
“Good form, Mr. Smee? Blast good form! Did Pan show good form when he did this to me?” ~ Captain James Hook
And even as he met his end, Hook stayed true to…form.
“Bad form,” he cried jeeringly, and went content to the crocodile.
There is a lot to love about the adventures of Peter and the Lost Boys, Wendy and her brothers, Tinker Bell, Tiger Lily, and even those rotten Pirates! And who doesn’t want to fly?
Of course Peter had been trifling with them, for no one can fly unless the fairy dust has been blown on him. Fortunately, as we have mentioned, one of his hands was messy with it, and he blew some on each of them, with the most superb results.
“Now just wriggle your shoulders this way,” he said, “and let go.”
They were all on their beds, and gallant Michael let go first. He did not quite mean to let go, but he did it, and immediately he was born across the room.
“I flewed!” he screamed while still in mid-air.
It’s been over a dozen years since I read James M. Barrie’s magical story of Peter and Wendy, and just like Pan refusing to grow up, the book captured my heart, refusing to let go.
And don’t forget to join us here again when I flip to the next Page!
Note: The first 32 pages of I Read This Book! originally appeared on Substack.
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