"Peter Pan is a great and refining and uplifting benefaction to this sordid and money-mad age."—Mark Twain
One hundred years after J. M. Barrie published the novel Peter and Wendy, Maria Tatar revisits a story that, like Alice in Wonderland, bridges the generations, animating both adults and children with its kinetic energy. The adventures of the Darling children with Peter Pan and Tinkerbell in Neverland are the seminal tale of escape and fantasy. Inspired by Barrie's real-life adventures with the five Llewelyn Davies boys he adopted, the story of Peter Pan has a deep and controversial history of its own that comes alive in Tatar's new edition. This brilliantly designed volume—with period photographs, full-color images by iconic illustrators, commentary on stage and screen versions, and an array of supplementary material, including Barrie's screenplay for a silent film—will draw readers into worlds of incandescent beauty, flooding them with the radiance of childhood wonder and the poignancy of what we lose when we grow up. 125 black-and-white and 125 four-color illustrations
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Editorial Reviews
Review
The juxtaposition of so many Peters only emphasizes the book's timelessness, making The Annotated Peter Pan as effective a vessel as fairy dust and lovely thoughts for immediate transport to Neverland.--National Post
"While Martin Gardner's groundbreaking "The Annotated Alice: 'Alice's Adventures in Wonderland' and 'Through the Looking-Glass' " remains the nonpareil of the genre, I would place Tatar's "The Annotated Peter Pan" a close second." Michael Dirda, Washington Post
“Starred review. ...the story of Peter Pan benefits greatly from Tatar’s extensive contextualizing as well as the supplemental material she includes. Of this, much is rare, and it is a treat... Bibliophiles and casual readers alike, and of course all who love Peter Pan or are fascinated by his creator, will want this gem. Recommended.” (Library journal )
"While Martin Gardner's groundbreaking "The Annotated Alice: 'Alice's Adventures in Wonderland' and 'Through the Looking-Glass' " remains the nonpareil of the genre, I would place Tatar's "The Annotated Peter Pan" a close second." Michael Dirda, Washington Post
“Starred review. ...the story of Peter Pan benefits greatly from Tatar’s extensive contextualizing as well as the supplemental material she includes. Of this, much is rare, and it is a treat... Bibliophiles and casual readers alike, and of course all who love Peter Pan or are fascinated by his creator, will want this gem. Recommended.” (Library journal )
About the Author
J. M. Barrie (1860-1937) was a Scottish author and dramatist, best remembered today as the creator of Peter Pan.
Maria Tatar chairs the Program in Folklore and Mythology at Harvard University. She is the author of Enchanted Hunters: The Power of Stories in Childhood, Off with Their Heads! Fairy Tales and the Culture of Childhood and many other books on folklore and fairy stories. She is also the editor and translator of The Annotated Hans Christian Andersen, The Annotated Brothers Grimm, The Annotated Classic Fairy Tales, The Annotated Peter Pan, The Classic Fairy Tales: A Norton Critical Edition and The Grimm Reader. She lives in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Maria Tatar chairs the Program in Folklore and Mythology at Harvard University. She is the author of Enchanted Hunters: The Power of Stories in Childhood, Off with Their Heads! Fairy Tales and the Culture of Childhood and many other books on folklore and fairy stories. She is also the editor and translator of The Annotated Hans Christian Andersen, The Annotated Brothers Grimm, The Annotated Classic Fairy Tales, The Annotated Peter Pan, The Classic Fairy Tales: A Norton Critical Edition and The Grimm Reader. She lives in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
17 of 17 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This is a handsome keepsake book for devotees of Peter Pan and those who you would desire to be. This is more than the story of this boy who never grows up, it is the adventure behind the fantasy. J.M.Barrie was as fascinating a character himself, as his creation.
There are many period colour Illustrations in the book, programs, black and white period photos of Barrie and the Davies boys, productions, stage and film. We also read of the appeal of fairy dust and of flying.
Included is an introduction to Peter Pan and Barrie, the chapters on Peter and Wendy. Barrie's `The Boy Castaways of black Lake Island', his introduction to play Peter Pan, words on Arthur Rackham, including the not to be missed stature of Pan in Kensington Gardens, Barrie's scenario for a proposed film and a survey on Peter Pan in the cinema, adaptations, sequels and spin offs and the legacy of Peter Pan.
There are helpful footnotes throughout, no index; but a 10 page bibliography.
What a special Christmas present, or for another occasion this book would be; or as an addition for your own bookshelf. This is almost as complete a book as one could get on the subject of Peter Pan.
There are many period colour Illustrations in the book, programs, black and white period photos of Barrie and the Davies boys, productions, stage and film. We also read of the appeal of fairy dust and of flying.
Included is an introduction to Peter Pan and Barrie, the chapters on Peter and Wendy. Barrie's `The Boy Castaways of black Lake Island', his introduction to play Peter Pan, words on Arthur Rackham, including the not to be missed stature of Pan in Kensington Gardens, Barrie's scenario for a proposed film and a survey on Peter Pan in the cinema, adaptations, sequels and spin offs and the legacy of Peter Pan.
There are helpful footnotes throughout, no index; but a 10 page bibliography.
What a special Christmas present, or for another occasion this book would be; or as an addition for your own bookshelf. This is almost as complete a book as one could get on the subject of Peter Pan.
10 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Peter Pan must be one of the best known stories nobody has actually read. The numerous stage plays, pantomimes, and movies have given most of us a fairly good idea of the basic plot line, while J.M. Barrie's biographers and the movie Finding Neverland have ensured that thestrange life story of the creator of Peter Pan has had an airing. This Centennial Edition of Peter Pan, ably annotated by Maria Tatar, does much to cast light on what have been unknown or at least shadowy aspects of the story.
One of the first surprises about Peter Pan is how slim the actual story really is. It is less than 200 pages in this volume, which includes the annotations and many of the original illustrations. Be advised that the language of books written for children in the Edwardian era often seems cloying to today's readers, but nevertheless those who persevere will find the story's legendary charms are fully deserved. The annotations enhance and do not drown the text.
The rest of this fine volume is just as fascinating. There is a long biographical essay which chronicles Barrie's difficult early life, his success as a playwright, and most importantly his obsession with the Llewellyn Davies family, particularly the five young boys whom Barrie first met in Kensington Gardens. Naturally this tends to give rise to speculation on the depth of Barrie's feelings for the boys, but Tatar, like every other writer and dramatist who has tried, can provide no definitive answer. There are many wonderful pictures of Barrie, his family, and his proteges, along with other illustrations that enhance our enjoyment. There are also long segments devoted to illustrations by various artists, including Arthur Rackham's beautiful contributions, and reprints of Barrie's introduction to one edition and his scenario for a proposed film. Most importantly, Barrie's photographic memoir of a summer spent with the Llewellyn Davies family, The Boy Castaways of Black Lake Island, is reprinted here, as it should be since it was one of the origins of the story that became Peter Pan.
This opulent and densely illustrated volume does full justice to the original story and to its creator and his inspirations. It ably reintroduces its readers to a classic that has become better known in its dramatic versions than in its originals.
One of the first surprises about Peter Pan is how slim the actual story really is. It is less than 200 pages in this volume, which includes the annotations and many of the original illustrations. Be advised that the language of books written for children in the Edwardian era often seems cloying to today's readers, but nevertheless those who persevere will find the story's legendary charms are fully deserved. The annotations enhance and do not drown the text.
The rest of this fine volume is just as fascinating. There is a long biographical essay which chronicles Barrie's difficult early life, his success as a playwright, and most importantly his obsession with the Llewellyn Davies family, particularly the five young boys whom Barrie first met in Kensington Gardens. Naturally this tends to give rise to speculation on the depth of Barrie's feelings for the boys, but Tatar, like every other writer and dramatist who has tried, can provide no definitive answer. There are many wonderful pictures of Barrie, his family, and his proteges, along with other illustrations that enhance our enjoyment. There are also long segments devoted to illustrations by various artists, including Arthur Rackham's beautiful contributions, and reprints of Barrie's introduction to one edition and his scenario for a proposed film. Most importantly, Barrie's photographic memoir of a summer spent with the Llewellyn Davies family, The Boy Castaways of Black Lake Island, is reprinted here, as it should be since it was one of the origins of the story that became Peter Pan.
This opulent and densely illustrated volume does full justice to the original story and to its creator and his inspirations. It ably reintroduces its readers to a classic that has become better known in its dramatic versions than in its originals.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
We're off to Neverland and you're invited for the behind-the-scenes tour.
December 30, 2011
By Krista
Format:Hardcover
As a long-time lover of the animated film and the Hook remake, I was aglow with fairy dust when co-recommending this book to my book club. Not only did it present an opportunity to read the original Peter Pan story, it also offered insights to the original play (and it's many variations over the seasons) along with historical notes, translations, and biographical details. With beautiful illustrations, stories behind the story, and shared communications from Barrie's contemporaries, fans, critics, and even those who lived beyond his time, this centennial edition brings a magical adventure into reality while also allowing it to maintain it's child-like glee.
Having never read Peter Pan previously and having just come off of reading Brom's re-imagining in The Child Thief, I was surprised to find I knew so much about Pan and Barrie, and I was also delighted to still see the magic beyond the sinister undertones. Sure Pan is riddled with child stealing, pirate killing, a strong dislike of parents, and racial offenses, yet it's also filled with play, creativity, imagination, and a call to believe. If one takes the story at face value, as being a magical bedtime tale for children then it's easy to see how Pan, Wendy, Hook, Smee, and the ticking Croc have captured the hearts of so many.
And now for me, I'm off to follow the second star to the right and straight on til morning. Of course, you know my destination. ;o)
Having never read Peter Pan previously and having just come off of reading Brom's re-imagining in The Child Thief, I was surprised to find I knew so much about Pan and Barrie, and I was also delighted to still see the magic beyond the sinister undertones. Sure Pan is riddled with child stealing, pirate killing, a strong dislike of parents, and racial offenses, yet it's also filled with play, creativity, imagination, and a call to believe. If one takes the story at face value, as being a magical bedtime tale for children then it's easy to see how Pan, Wendy, Hook, Smee, and the ticking Croc have captured the hearts of so many.
And now for me, I'm off to follow the second star to the right and straight on til morning. Of course, you know my destination. ;o)
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Awesome Book
It's like getting getting a Blu Ray with all the extras but it's printed material. The best of both worlds!!!
Published 1 month ago by Freddie Hernandez
5.0 out of 5 stars
Grown-ups are pirates ...
From the great life and imagination of J M Barrie comes an amazing and timeless classic story about Peter Pan and Wendy -- and the Lost Boys and Captain Hook and the rest of the... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Alan Agardi
5.0 out of 5 stars
Beautiful volume
purchased this book as a gift hoping it would look as good as it did online. Beyond expectations, very nice presentation of the story, nice extras, quite pleased.
Published 4 months ago by Angry Badger
3.0 out of 5 stars
Not what I was expecting
I like the fact that there are so many historical passages about J.M. Barrie in this book. The layout of the book is a little hard to read when your actually reading the story. Read more
Published 5 months ago by keaulani
4.0 out of 5 stars
Pan
Enjoy the traditional story of Peter Pan accompanied by exquisite illustrations. The essay at the beginning of the book gives an insight into Barrie's life however is a little long... Read more
Published 15 months ago by Shan
4.0 out of 5 stars
Only the gay and heartless
Everybody knows and loves Peter Pan -- the immortal, flying imp who lives in a floating otherworld, battles pirates, and never has to grow up.
And J.M. Read more
And J.M. Read more
Published 18 months ago by E. A Solinas
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