Classics for Beginners discussion

Hope people enjoy this more than I did.

Way to open up a discussion, Nicolle! ;)

Sorry, I'm just not expecting anyone to like it enough for five stars as it isn't as good as the movies in my opinion... :)

Don't suppose it occurred to you that that might unfairly and negatively influence others' opinions of it?

It's a rather dated classic in its particular way. There's a lot of very old fashioned ideas in the book about motherhood and the writing is rather simplistic, a fact which is made easier by the films having a faster pacing.

I agree with Jonathan that the movies have kind of wrecked it as they give you (or at least me) false expectations. I just found the writing quite dull whereas other classic children's books I've found captivating. Also I think the language is way advanced for children but the story line is for children.

I'd hope people's opinions are their own. I did tell others of my average rating during the poll but it still won so people must want to read it and if they enjoy then great. :)

Oh I'm sorry to hear this, I haven't read it yet but was curious to.

Nicolle wrote: "I agree with Jonathan that the movies have kind of wrecked it as they give you (or at least me) false expectations. I just found the writing quite dull whereas other classic children's books I've f..."

But Nicolle, about the language. Do you think it's the structure that makes it advanced, or simply the age of the book? I'm asking because I didn't think about that when I read it myself. (and my copy is at my parent's home so I can't check)

I read the free ebook kindle version. It included notes explaining the meanings of some of the words.

I knew the story already.

Hello everyone! I watched the Disney movie as a kid, but have never read the book. I just started it on the weekend and thought oh what a cute story, I can read this to my kids! Then I got to the part about the Lost Boys and quickly changed my mind. I'm going to blog about the book and compare it to a movie adaptation. What do you think is better? Hook or Peter Pan from 2003?

As far as a target audience, Do you think the author had adults in mind as much as children when he wrote this tale?

Joseph (Millennium Man) wrote: "As far as a target audience, Do you think the author had adults in mind as much as children when he wrote this tale?"

Hello Joseph, I think he had both in mind (children and adults), just like a lot of cartoons today.

I found it sad at the end.

Now If Dicken's co - wrote the story...

I agree it was probably written for adults and children.

Marie, I think from memory I mean the language, there were a lot of 'big' words.

I liked the conversational style of the writing, I could see how engaging it could be for a parent to read with their children.

That said, I didn't find it terribly interesting once they got to Neverland. I am probably in the minority that I never really watched the Disney version either. As luck would have it, it was aired over the weekend... sadly, it did not draw me in anymore than the book. I guess I am more an Aladdin, Lion King, classic Pooh fan...

Who wouldn't want to stay in Neverland?
spoiler: (view spoiler)[.. The alternative would be having to go to school and later being enslaved at a job. The children returning back home to see Mom and Dad is wonderful. The worst part of returning - work, school and growing up was overlooked. . (hide spoiler)]


I guess adults can visit Neverland though their children.

I found the part about Peter Pan having his first teeth almost as creepy as if he had fangs.

I am lamenting the fact I didn't read this to my kids when they were young. I think we could have acted out a lot of the scenes as they were always putting on plays and shows for us. The characters' personalities mirror someone we know personally. It is easy to read as an adult and interesting to see, for me at least, the desire of Wendy to want to go with her daughter back to the adventures she herself had as a child. I think we all can find something in our childhood that is comforting and or adventurous to think on, and believe in if we try. Great book! Looking forward to next months selections. I enjoy reading the comments about the books. Food for thought!

HI...lurker chiming in. Thanks for the incentive to finally read this}! It has been on my shelf for years.
I am about 100 pages in.
I'm enjoying it but I also understand what those of you who didn't like it are saying.
It isn't as entertaining as the Disney movie, but both the book and the film are sexist and racist by today's standards. It was a different time.
Neither of my kids were interested in reading it with me, which is kind of a bummer.

I really liked the film about the writer's life and the production of this play...Finding Neverland, starring Johnny Depp and Kate Winslet. At the time, it was unheard of to write a play for children.
I also noticed inside the front cover that the author donated all the royalties from the book to a Childrens' Hospital in London, and when the copyright expired 50 years after his death, a special act of Parliament extended the copyright so that the hospital could continue to get the funds. Barrie really loved children and I think it's cool that his book is still helping them.

There appeared to be just two categories of female; either motherly, or a possessive, moody 'Tinker Belle.'

No soccer moms during this time period?

Could this story be a warning to parents in a typical fairy tale style, that they should keep screens on their windows and listen to their nannies?

I don't think it is because the children enjoyed their adventures - to the extent Wendy remembered fondly her adventures and then allowed her own daughter to visit Neverland as well. I think if it were intended to be a warning the kids would have had a horrible time and would be desperate to return home.
I think it is the opposite - that there is a richness to fantasy life that is valuable for children to have, and this should be encouraged by parents.

The kids had a fun time in Neverland. The parents were worried sick. Yes, I see what you are saying Wendy let her daughter visit.

I find it rare to see children at play. When I was young there were loads of kids playing together outside. I believe the current trend is organizing your kids free time or something?

I was also surprised by how sad and dark this story is. I can see kids loving it for the exciting adventure, but for adults it goes much deeper. And I agree, Peter's teeth creepy!

Well, I finished it.
I think it's an important book to read in a historical sense. The story has become a real part of modern culture. Everyone knows it, even across the world over here in Japan. It was interesting to read the original, which is quite different from the Disney version...as is another of my favorites from the time period, Mary Poppins.

That said, I really didn't like the sexism, which sometimes comes across as downright misogyny. Some of the author's comments about mothers in the last couple of chapters were just hateful. The racist portrayal of Indians was unacceptable by today's standards, too. Racism and sexism are still serious issues in the world today but we have come a long way in 100 years!
Joy, I agree with what you said about parents having to let our kids make their own choices. That means we have to let them take some risks and make some mistakes.
Joseph, I lived in downtown Los Angeles as a child in the 70's. We absolutely played outside. I would have been happy to read books in my room all day, but once I was about 8 or 9 my parents would basically kick me out the door and tell me not to come back till it started to get dark. One thing I love about raising my kids in Japan is that kids do still walk to and from school on their own, and play outside with their friends around the neighborhood without constant supervision,
even right here in central Tokyo. It is 2014, so they do have cell phones for emergencies, but there just isn't the level of anxiety I have noticed when I go back for visits to the States.

Yes, the story does feel sad. Neverland is a wonderful place but you can's stay forever.

I think it rare to find a work that has such innocence.

I love the classics.

Cartoons Saturday mornings and after school. Mom nagging me to get out of the house... "It is a beautiful day out..."