Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
On the centennial anniversary of the publication of Peter and Wendy, editor, translator, and Harvard professor Tatar presents the novel along with a wealth of information and commentary, including an introduction outlining the story's central themes and symbols, the circumstances of Barrie writing the play Peter Pan, and its critical reception. Barrie was a peculiar, but generous man who adopted the five Llewelyn Davies boys when they were orphaned, and bequeathed the copyright for Peter Pan to a London children's hospital. Tatar has included illustrations from Peter and Wendy by F.D. Bedford, illustrations by Arthur Rackham from Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens (published four years earlier), and photographs of the Llewelyn Davies boys taken by the author himself. In a dedication to the boys, Barrie wrote: "I made Peter by rubbing the five of you violently together, as savages with two sticks produce a flame." Readers of all ages will delight in the adventures of Peter and the Darling children, from Peter leaving his shadow behind in the nursery to the epic battle with Hook and his cohorts. As Tatar notes, Barrie invented a genre in which "adults and children could together inhabit a zone where all experience the pleasures of a story." (Oct.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
Review by Library Journal Review
Tatar (folklore & mythology, Harvard Univ.; The Annotated Hans Christian Andersen) delivers a beautiful package of introductory and explanatory material along with a newly annotated text of what J.M. Barrie originally published 100 years ago as the novel Peter and Wendy (later made into the play Peter Pan). She provides a grand introduction to the man who created the character of Peter Pan and offers a wealth of insight into the origins of Barrie's invention. With its startling reversals of childhood and adulthood, its exploration of innocence and heartlessness, and its underlying sadness, 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. In addition to containing the original Peter and Wendy, this handsome oversized volume reproduces the contents of the sole surviving copy of The Boy Castaways of Black Lake Island (the genesis of the Peter Pan idea) and includes Arthur Rackham's illustrations for Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens. Barrie's own extensive film treatment for his story, along with an essay on the cinematic appearances of Peter Pan, round out the book. VERDICT Bibliophiles and casual readers alike, and of course all who love Peter Pan or are fascinated by his creator, will want this gem. Recommended. [See Prepub Alert, 4/15/11.]-Audrey Snowden, Orrington P.L., ME (c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
