Book rec: Peter Pan in Scarlet by Geraldine McCaughrean

[amanuensis1]

While I am still in a stew over Megaupload (hell, I'm still stewing over the livejournal comment page changes--don't think I'm not refreshing lj_releases, waiting for you to fill all those damn tickets, lj!), writing a coherent defense of the New Model of Media is going to take a solid day out of my life, and I don't have that day right now. So I've sensibly sat on my notes and tucked my dismay into the corner for now and will carry on with business as usual on the lj. For the moment that means more YA/Juvenile fiction recommendations.

Had anyone heard of Peter Pan in Scarlet by Geraldine McCaughrean? Its book jacket proclaims it "The first-ever authorized sequel to J. M. Barrie's Peter Pan"; in 2004 the copyright holders of Peter Pan searched for an author to write an official sequel, and McCaughrean got the honor. This is not like the Dave Barry or Ridley Pearson pastiches, nor is it one of those sideways twists on the Peter Pan story; the language is meant to reflect J.M. Barrie's original work, and so is the feel of the fantasy, with sly jokes and nostalgia touches adults will get. (If you haven't read the original Peter Pan and Wendy I recommend you drop what you're doing and have a look now; you won't believe how much of it's aimed at adults.)

I thought this sequel was enchanting. As a sequel it retcons nothing of the original work and yet still manages to slip Wendy and the Lost Boys back into the work neatly. There are 1930s England sensibilities crossed with Neverland familiarities. There's clever child-logic-magic. And there's darkness and heartbreak poking at the edges, too. Very much recommended.

Comments

[dody08.livejournal.com]

I will definitely check it out. Thanks for the review. First, I'll dig out my copy of PP and W. It's been years since I've read it.

[amanuensis1.livejournal.com]

It always deserves a good reread! I find something new every time.

[a-big-apple.livejournal.com]

I LOVE that book! My favorite of the many Peter Pan continuations/sequels/prequels. I'm so glad I'm not the only one on the planet who's read it!

[amanuensis1.livejournal.com]

Yay, at least two of us who read and liked it!

[mybrokenlocket.livejournal.com]

I read Peter Pan and Wendy a few months ago, and so many parts made me think "Wait a minute, isn't this supposed to be for kids?" I will be giving Peter Pan in Scarlet a look, thanks for the rec!

[amanuensis1.livejournal.com]

so many parts made me think "Wait a minute, isn't this supposed to be for kids?"

I think my most memorable bit is on the very first page, when it's explained that Mr. Darling won Mrs. Darling because when all the young men decided simultaneously that they were all in love with her, they ran to her house to propose, but Mr. Darling took a carriage and got there first, so he got her.

[avashida.livejournal.com]

I've read a bunch of Peter Pan 'sequels'/spin-offs/reinterpretations - the one that sticks out most is Child Thief, by Brom, which was absaloutely NOT enchanting. Compelling, but really dark and twisted.

Along the 'enchanting' lines - have you read Peter and the Star-Catchers? I think that was the last pre-Child Thief one I read.

[amanuensis1.livejournal.com]

Oh, man, I have to confess--I read most of Child Thief and it was SO grim that I didn't want to finish it--I couldn't bear it! I couldn't remember the title when I was putting this post together, thank you! It really is a horror book, not just a dark fairy tale.

I read the first of the Barry/Pearson books and it was nice but it didn't capture me to go on to others in that series.

[avashida.livejournal.com]

It was one of those rare books I regretted finishing; I should have stopped around chapter three. I had nightmares for a week >.> Ah well. I know not to go near that author's work again!

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

Thanks for that rec, I've had it on my shelf for a few years meaning to reread the original and then get to it, will do both faster now!

[amanuensis1.livejournal.com]

Hope you enjoy it if you do!