The Grumpy Old Bookman on Peter Pan.

From The GOB:

I have several times previously mentioned Sir James Barrie and his disturbing story about Peter Pan: notably when I agreed with the eminent critic Amanda Craig in describing it as 'terrifying'. The story emerged in several versions, early in the twentieth century, but it soon became a hugely successful stage play, with a prose version to match. The edition that I have is the Everyman edition of the version of 1911, which was originally published as Peter and Wendy.

Here, to be more forthcoming, is the full note of what I scribbled in the back of my copy of Peter Pan after I had finished reading it -- well, re-reading it -- perhaps ten years ago:

Terrifying. Appalling. It is the confusion of mother/wife role, in Wendy, which is so disturbing. The story does not so much reveal, as give a horrifying glimpse of, the author's dreadful confusion of mind. Painful to contemplate. It is the embodiment of the fear of maturity -- the dread of adult responsibility -- of having to take command of one's own life.

Not the best quote for a book cover, really, is it?

I hate to admit this, but I've never read Peter Pan.  Disney's Captain Hook terrified me as a child, and the newish live action Peter Pan wrecked me.  (I sobbed all the way through it.  In the effing theater.  At the time, I blamed it on hormones, but I refuse to watch it again to test my theory.) 

Anyway, now I don't know if I'll EVER get around to reading it.

Comments

[Kelly Fineman]

People are afraid of Peter Pan? Really? I find that funny. But I saw the live action movie of the stage show starring a small woman as Peter Pan a bunch of times as a kid, so it really never freaked me out. I found it more curious that the role of Peter was being played by a grown-up female.

And the Wendy thing never really threw me, because as a kid, I played lots of Wendy-like roles during imaginative play with other kids. It's only if one assumes that the adult male has actual mommy issues that it gets icky.

[Leila]

And, I think, people now associate Michael Jackson with Peter Pan, which adds to the yick factor.

[Brian F.]

I have nothing to add to this. I just want to see if this sticks. I've posted a few comments here and around the blogosphere that have vanished and I'm starting to feel like I'm getting the Gaslight treatment.

Please stay comment. Please stay.

[Leila]

You're here! Hooray!

[a Paperback Writer]

I've seen several versions of the stage play, which can be quite charming. But the book is dull. The story is told and not shown. I had to slog my way through the thing.
The character that disturbs me most in the Disney version is Tinkerbell because she's so obsessed with a guy that treats her like dirt. At least Wendy has the sense to grow up and leave.

I have the same HORROR of the Alice in Wonderland books, and to some extent the Oz books. I've read all of them (old old used copies of the Glinda of Oz, etc..). I don't understand WHY these are classics and required reading in grade schools. *shudder*

But I do agree the Disney version is icky -- Tinkerbell is a sexed up little vixen?

Seems like JM Barrie and Lewis Carrol both had an appauling fascination with young children. (excuse the mispellings)

[J. L. Bell]

Peter Pan is a most deliciously twisted book. It's well worth reading and rereading, but one must not expect to avoid do so without squirming in wonderment.