Substance: Peter Pan is not so charming in this book, with a disturbing psychological neurosis driving his refusal to grow up. Barrie's cynical interpolations in the novel version of his play give it a much darker and meaner aspect. Not a book I would give to children. A subversive fairy tale in the sense used by Jack Zipes about the 17th-18thc. French literary tales.
Style: Deceptively borrows the style of Victorian children's literature, with snide asides to keep adults sniggering. See Hilaire Beloc's "Matilda Who Told LIes and Was Burned to Death" and P.L. Travers' "Mary Poppins" series. ( )

a little twee. but quite unusual. the idea that children can fly and see peter but forget how or lose interest as adults. ( )

This is a great book for children on a fun day because most children have seen the Disney movie, Peter Pan!

I don't typically enjoy fantasy literature, which may explain why I didn't love Peter Pan. The story is a familiar one, because of all the attention it has received on the stage and in film, but there is another element added in reading the book. It is much darker and more depressing, and left me feeling dissatisfied. It seemed to me that this stemmed more from the author's internal issues than it did from the author's creative device. The writing style is interesting, though occasionally confusing, as it seems as if you are eavesdropping on a storyteller weaving a tale to a small, young audience.

Reading this was an interesting experience, one that I will probably not repeat or supply for my children. We'll stick to the movies, as they provide the story without the darkness. ( )

The illustrations in this version of Peter Pan greatly add to the charm and wonder of this classic. ( )