We are so used to the Pantomime, Disney version of Peter Pan that this was certainly a shock! Whilst the first couple of chapters lured you in with their innocence, quaintness and sheer level of adorable, the story certainly took a rather sinister turn!

The main story has this brilliant juxtaposition of childhood innocence against cruelty and trickery; J. M. Barrie apparently didn't like the now famous statue of Peter in Kensington Gardens because it "doesn't show the devil in Peter". The body of the story has the air of an out-of-control game of make-believe, and reflects some of the violence apparent in children's games. Peter's famous line, "To die would be an awfully big adventure", has a slightly different resonance when he has already killed several times in the story, without it phasing him one bit. Peter's manipulation and carelessness did have a certain innocence to it, in that it was like he was innocent to the effect he was having on others. The book also touched on themes such as the relationship between a mother and child, painting it in an exploitative, unequal light, but nevertheless positive.

An interesting read - especially considering the book's effect on popular culture! With some very interesting ideas behind it, that are often lost.