Peter and Wendy

by J. M. Barrie

Overview

All children, except one, grow up. Thus begins a great classic of children's literature that we all remember as magical. What we tend to forget, because the tale of Peter Pan and Neverland has been so relentlessly boiled down, hashed up, and coated in saccharine, is that J.M. Barrie's original version is also witty, sophisticated, and delightfully odd. The Darling children, Wendy, John, and Michael, live a very proper middle-class life in Edwardian London, but they also happen to have a Newfoundland for a nurse. The text is full of such throwaway gems as "Mrs. Darling first heard of Peter Pan when she was tidying up her children's minds," and is peppered with deliberately obscure vocabulary including "embonpoint," "quietus," and "pluperfect." Lest we forget, it was written in 1904, a relatively innocent age in which a plot about abducted children must have seemed more safely fanciful. Also, perhaps, it was an age that expected more of its children's books, for Peter Pan has a suppleness, lightness, and intelligence that are "literary" in the best sense. (Amazon)

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9783985310333
Publisher:	Otbebookpublishing
Publication date:	03/27/2021
Series:	Classics To Go
Sold by:	Bookwire
Format:	eBook
Pages:	121
File size:	2 MB

About the Author

Sir James Matthew Barrie, known as J. M. Barrie, was born on May 9, 1860, in Kirriemuir, Scotland. He is best remembered as the creator of Peter Pan, the boy who wouldn't grow up, a character that has become an enduring symbol of childhood and escapism. Barrie's early life was marked by the tragic death of his older brother David, which profoundly affected his family and influenced his literary themes of loss and eternal youth.Barrie's career began in journalism, but he soon transitioned to writing novels and plays. His works often explore the complexities of human relationships and the interplay between reality and imagination. The whimsical yet poignant nature of his storytelling has captivated audiences for generations.One of the most intriguing aspects of Barrie's life is his relationship with the Llewelyn Davies family, who inspired the characters of the Darling children in Peter Pan. This relationship has been the subject of much speculation and controversy, particularly regarding Barrie's intentions and the nature of his bond with the boys.Despite these controversies, Barrie's influence on contemporary literature and popular culture is undeniable. His creation of Peter Pan has inspired countless adaptations, including stage plays, films, and even theme park attractions. Barrie's exploration of themes such as the innocence of childhood and the inevitability of growing up continues to resonate with modern audiences.Barrie was knighted in 1913 and later became the President of the Society of Authors. His legacy is not only preserved in his beloved works but also in his generous spirit; he bequeathed the rights to Peter Pan to the Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, ensuring that his creation would continue to bring joy and support to future generations.
Sir James Matthew Barrie, 1st Baronet, (9 May 1860 – 19 June 1937) was a Scottish novelist and playwright, best remembered as the creator of Peter Pan. He was born and educated in Scotland and then moved to London, where he wrote a number of successful novels and plays. There he met the Llewelyn Davies boys, who inspired him to write about a baby boy who has magical adventures in Kensington Gardens (first included in Barrie's 1902 adult novel The Little White Bird), then to write Peter Pan, or The Boy Who Wouldn't Grow Up, a 1904 "fairy play" about an ageless boy and an ordinary girl named Wendy who have adventures in the fantasy setting of Neverland.

Table of Contents

1. Peter breaks through; 2. The shadow; 3. Come away, come away!; 4. The flight; 5. The island come true; 6. The little house; 7. The home under the ground; 8. The mermaids' lagoon; 9. The never bird; 10. The happy home; 11. Wendy's story; 12. The children are carried off; 13. Do you believe in fairies?; 14. The pirate ship; 15. 'Hook or me this time'; 16. The return home; 17. When Wendy grew up.