I try to read at least one 'classic' book each month. Now, I obviously know the story of Peter Pan. It's been adapted to television, movies, and book re-tellings many times over the years. Despite that, I had never actually read the source material.

When I am reading a classic, I really try not to put my 21st-century, politically-correct glasses on, because literature is a reflection of the time it was written. Now, if I was judging this books based on the values of today, I would find it incredibly sexist and racist. Wendy is treated like a servant and the entire 'redskin' subplot is so extremely stereotypical and racist that it's difficult to read at some points. However, considering the fact that Peter Pan was written over 100 years ago, I'm going to give Barrie's would-be racist rhetoric a pass.

Now that that's out of the way...I liked this book. I didn't love it, but it wasn't a bad book by any means. Barrie writes the book almost as if he's telling a story. He speaks to the reader on several occasions, and will go back and forth in stories he tells just as someone might if they were telling a bedtime story.

The story itself is entertaining. Some of it is very strange, but it's not like I wasn't expecting to see Nana as the nursemaid or a person's shadow being captured. After all, I've seen the movie. But I tried to imagine if I lived a hundred years ago and I was experiencing this story for the first time. I would've been thoroughly confused.

I found it interesting the change in Mr. Darling from the book to almost every adaptation I've seen. He is always portrayed as a strict, no-nonsense, impatient man. In the book, he is downright obnoxious. Feeding Nana his medicine and then pouting when he gets caught; complaining because he doesn't feel like he's getting enough attention; throwing a tantrum because he can't get his tie tied...I don't quite understand what Mrs. Darling sees in him.

One other thing. I know that this story was inspired by stories that J.M. Barrie told his adopted sons. But I can't imagine reading this as a young child. The first couple of chapters with the Darlings figuring out their expenses to determine whether they can keep their children would be very confusing as a child. Also there are passages in the book that get a little bogged down in exposition, using language most children today would have a difficult time comprehending.

Also, the level of violence is pretty shocking for a 'children's story'. There is an Indian massacre and almost all the pirates are killed during the final battle. Peter Pan talks about killing like it's no big deal. He doesn't even remember the people he's killed after he does it.

I did like this book, and it was fun to read all of the iconic quotes from this book that I've seen in various adaptations. I also love the edition I got of this book. It's a puffin classic book with a beautiful illustration printed right on the hardcover.