Once Upon a Time... discussion

Hello Fellow Fairy Tales Readers,


Welcome to our discussion about Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie.
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about spoilers

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Summary

One starry night, Peter Pan and Tinker Bell lead the three Darling children over the rooftops of London and away to Neverland - the island where lost boys play, mermaids splash and fairies make mischief. But a villainous-looking gang of pirates lurk in the docks, led by the terrifying Captain James Hook. Magic and excitement are in the air, but if Captain Hook has his way, before long, someone will be walking the plank and swimming with the crocodiles...

Oh my, I could just squeeeee. My library has an audio version of this selection with Jim Dale as the narrator. He is my all-time favorite. There is a four-week hold time, but I'm going to wait because of Jim Dale.

I hadn't even thought of audiobook for this! I naturally have read Peter Pan (as I told Gem the whole Neverland/Pan genre is a family favorite), but it has been decades now. I do have the illustrated/interactive version (second on the list above) that Adriel got for my grandson that I was going to read, but don't think I will have time to actually read it this month. I just checked and I can get both the Jim Dale narrated audiobook and the one narrated by Christopher Casanove, who I prefer. I put a hold on that, which is supposedly a two week wait. I can listen to it while doing other things and look at the illustrations in the book at my leisure. Thanks for the suggestion, Gem!

By the way, love the new profile pic for the group!

Lisa wrote: "Thanks for the suggestion, Gem! By the way, love the new profile pic for the group!"

You're very welcome. I will often listen to audiobooks if available, provided it's not a detailed book (like a mystery, I usually read those). That way I can do chores and "read" at the same time.

I thought Tink was appropriate for this month. I like to change the fairy each month to match the month (April Showers, May Flowers) and when I searched "fairy with flowers" that was one of the pictures that came up. Tinkerbell is one of my favorite characters (the newer one in the Disney movies vs. the one in Peter Pan... she can get annoying, lol).

I first read this book sitting in the second desk in the second row of my second grade classroom. I don't know how I had time to do this much reading during school hours, but somehow I did. I've reread it a number of times since, and it is fair to say that I know passages nearly by heart.

I'd love to hear what people think about how the original Barrie differs from the so-familiar Disney animation, and what people think of Barrie's narrator voice.

I only read this a few years ago and didn't like it. The racism is awful and not excusable because it's old. Violent, too.

I didn't listen to the audiobook after all because I really do want to read the illustrated version that I have. I will be travelling the month of June and will be taking it with me to read in my downtime.

I could finally download the copy from the library I'd been waiting for. I adore most things written by Barrie, this is no exception. I adore the lost boys and I'd volunteer to be their mother if I could live in Neverland, but Pixie Hollow would be better. I hope I'll never lose the childlikeness that allows me to enjoy fairy tales and tales about fairies.

The fact that Jim Dale narrated just added the icing to the cake. HE DOES VOICES, and that just makes this even more enjoyable for me.

Susan wrote: "I'd love to hear what people think about how the original Barrie differs from the so-familiar Disney animation, and what people think of Barrie's narrator voice"

Disney rarely stays true to the stories as written, and that used to bother me, but I've decided to view their movies as retellings. That processes better in my brain. I haven't seen this movie in0 such a long time, I can't make the comparison. But that just means I'll have to watch it and come back with my thoughts.

I totally agree with you about Disney, Gem - I enjoy them as retellings, not true to the originals. I have started reading my illustrated version and am enjoying immensely. I too haven't seen the Disney movie in a very long time, but from what I remember of the movie beginning and the book a lot is on target. Nana being tied outside and unable to get to the children is right, although I seem to remember some pixie dust being sprinkled on her and her floating in the movie - that isn't in the book. Tink's sassy attitude is kept in the movie and that was always one thing I loved.

Gem wrote: "I could finally download the copy from the library I'd been waiting for. I adore most things written by Barrie, this is no exception. I adore the lost boys and I'd volunteer to be their mother if I..."

Jim Dale is certainly one of the audiobook stars.

But I wasn't clear with my original question--which was to ask about the author's own voice in the written text. I mean the way he inserts his own attitudes towards the characters.
It's a very particular (and I think old-fashioned--not that I mind it) style of writing, to have the author's attitudes come through so clearly. And I wondered whether anybody felt it too wordy, or too opinionated, or too anything else?

I personally love Barrie's writing style. I think his tongue in cheek comments about the characters make the book even more entertaining. It's kind of like listening to a favorite uncle tell you a bedtime story.

Lisa wrote: "I personally love Barrie's writing style. I think his tongue in cheek comments about the characters make the book even more entertaining. It's kind of like listening to a favorite uncle tell you a ..."

I love it too, but I'm weird.

Susan wrote: "I love it too, but I'm weird."

Me too! That's what makes people fun.