Growing up, Peter Pan was one of my favorite fairy tale classics. I remember having a well-thumbed Little Golden Book of the Disney cartoon, which was also a great favorite of mine. I also remember playing Peter Pan with my younger brother — he was Michael, I was Wendy, and we had an imaginary Peter Pan. I would sprinkle some baby powder around us then we would romp about pretending to fly, chorusing, “second star to the right and straight on ’til morning!”
When I was in second grade, I also faithfully watched Saban’s The Adventures of Peter Pan (Peter Pan No Boken), which came on every morning at ten-thirty. It was a great series with lots of little stories, but I really loved the character of Luna, the princess of darkness and the scary elements her story added to the cartoon. I was so obsessed with the cartoon that my mom bought me the Peter Pan book by Apple Classics, and I read it from cover to cover in one sitting.
Steven Spielberg’s “Hook” is also another favorite from childhood. I really loved Tinkerbell in this movie, especially when she says to Peter, “You know that place between sleep and awake? That place where you still remember dreaming? That’s where I’ll always love you, Peter Pan. That’s where I’ll be waiting.” Aww…
Anyway, this love for Peter Pan drew me to Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson’s retelling of the classic story of the boy who never grows old, starting with Peter and the Starcatchers (book #107 for 2009).
When I went into quarantine last week (respiratory tract infection, not AH1N1), I grabbed a bunch of books from my TBR shelf, including Peter and the Starcatchers, and I’m glad it was in the pile because it was perfect for reading after recovering from a nasty fever.
Peter and the Starcatchers is a unique retelling of the origin of Peter Pan. Peter is an orphan from St. Norbert’s Home for Wayward Boys (which reminds me of St. Brutus’ Secure Centre for Incurably Criminal Boys), sold as a slave to King Zardoff III of Rundoon, sent off on a disreputable ship named The Never Land.
Aboard The Never Land, Peter discovers a magical trunk under the protection of a girl named Molly, whom he befriends. The trunk contains powerful starstuff — the stuff that comes from shooting stars. Molly is part of the Starcatchers, a group of people who protect the starstuff from The Others, who misuse its magical powers. Also hot on the trail of this treasure is the pirate Black Stache and his band of pirates, aboard The Jolly Roger, who will stop at nothing to get this treasure.
The starstuff switches hands and as Peter has sworn to help Molly protect it, he comes into contact with the starstuff, and it alters him forever — giving him the ability to fly, as well as eternal youth. Starstuff also changes a tropical island to the Never Land we know, with mermaids and floating rocks and all.
I’ll stop there, before I give away anything more. It’s a great adventure story, with lots of action and exciting twists.
I’d been hesitant to pick up the books for over a year because it’s quite thick, and I thought it would take me a long time to finish it. I’m glad I finally got around to reading it, as it’s one of the nicest retellings I’ve read in a long time.
I liked this book because it reminded me of the Peter Pan of my childhood, who hasn’t been out to play in my imagination for a long time now. After reading this book, he’s back, and with a snazzy new look too. More human, although I expect he’ll lose more of it as he grows into the Peter Pan character.
The book is from Hyperion, a Disney subsidiary, and while it takes a different (and darker) route from the Disney film, the imagination of this series appeals to the Disney kid in me. The pace is great, the humor is intelligent, and all the great elements from Peter Pan are there — thrilling chases, daring swordfights, friendship, Captain Hook and Smee, the giant crocodile, the lost boys and mermaids, and then some more: The Starcatchers and The Others, the Ladies, Alf, etc. Small kids might find it too scary, but middle graders and older readers are sure to enjoy the thrilling adventure.
It’s quite exciting, and as this is only the first of the series, I expect the story will only get better in the next three books: Peter and the Shadow Thieves, Peter and the Secret of Rundoon, and Peter and the Sword of Mercy. I also think Molly might be Wendy’s mum or grandmum, but no clues have been dropped yet, so I guess I have to read on to find out. Will have to get copies of the sequels. I also have a sub-story in my TBR, Escape from the Carnivale (a Never Land story) that I have to read soon.
Peter and the Starcatchers is a great tribute to the beloved classic, and brings Peter Pan to life for new generations of readers. Peter Pan flies again!
***
My copy: trade paperback, rummaged at the Powerbooks VIP Sale
My rating: 4/5 stars
I loved that Peter Pan cartoon too, and that Luna arc was also my favorite. I think my favorite episode back then was “Wendy Becomes Evil”, when Wendy accidentally wears this bracelet meant for Luna after they exchanged their outfits. I remember trying to re-write the entire script so I would remember it all — I got as far as “Bukal ng Bula ng Sabon.” =))
I loved Hook! one of the best Peter Pan movies out there. Good review. I always wanted to try that book :)
A fun adventure, yes. A prequel to Peter Pan, no.
Pan already had a backstory and this is not even close.
Plus, there are MANY mistakes as compared to Barrie’s original tales.
It’s like Barry & Pearson never bothered to read them.
And if it’s supposed to be a prequel to the Disney version, they have contradictions to that, too.
“Hook” also has loads of contradictions.
There is a Pan novel that’s faithful to Barrie:
http://www.peterpansneverworld.com/
BELIEVE!
Peter Pan is also my favorite charater. Sobrang favorite ko sa lahat ng World Masterpiece yun Peter Pan No Boken. Matagal ko ng gustong bilhin yun Peter and Starcatchers. Thanks for a great review.
That looks great! I love the books that take us back to our earlier years! How great!
@Tina- Cool! I remember that episode! The ghouls slipped the bracelet on Wendy by mistake and it couldn’t be pried off her!
@Karoline- As cheesy as it is I really loved Hook, We had a video of it when I was a kid and I remember watching it over and over again
@The Never Fairy – I think all Peter Pan fans, and all authors who write stories based on Peter Pan for that matter, would agree that there is no replacing the classic.
I appreciate the originality of Peter and the Starcatchers — and even Spielberg’s Hook — because instead of duplicating the classic story (which I don’t think they meant to do), it offers a different point of view and reprises the spirit of Peter Pan and makes him known to a new generation of readers. It may not be Peter Pan as we know him, but I think it would generate sufficient interest in the character that the reader would want to read the classic story as well. In fact, I am looking for a nice edition of J.M. Barrie’s Peter Pan so I can reread it as an adult :)
Thank you for your suggestion on Pan’s NeverWorld. I haven’t seen the book here in the Philippines, but I will keep an eye on it.
:)
@Ray-ann – Madami pala tayong fans ng cartoons na yun. Shucks, it makes me want to watch the whole series again!
@Sheila – I love those types of books too, because it keeps us from getting old, at least in spirit :)
Nalaman ko na nag karon ng reruns yun last year July. Grabe na obliga ako gumising ng maaga nun para mapanood ko lang sya ulit… Hahaha…
@Ray-ann: really?!? Where?!?
Sa ABS-CBN. Last year every 9:30am nag karon ng reruns lahat ng World Masterpiece nila.
Yes, it’s true that it may lead people to read the original stories.
I just meant that as authors borrowing another character’s work, the very least they could do is not have MISTAKES regarding SIMPLE facts. And Barry/Pearson even change the very reason he doesn’t grow up! I just don’t see how that’s okay. It’s disrespectful.
Just my two cents. :)
@Ray-ann- Maaaaan,I wouldn’t have been able to watch it either because of work. They should sell dvds, they’d make a fortune. Hahaha.
@The Never Fairy – Point taken. I think I understand how you feel, that’s the reason I don’t watch Harry Potter movies anymore :)
Hi Blooey! I must admit, I’ve never read a Peter Pan book in my 35 years (oh my. I’m, like, old). I really wanted to pick up this book because I’ve been hearing good reviews about it, and the series in general. Hmmm… Perhaps it’s about time I give it a try.
@Peter – And your name is Peter, too!!! :) That’s okay, no matter how old we are there’s always that kid inside us!
Hi Blooey! I must admit, I’ve never read a Peter Pan book in my 35 years (oh my. I’m, like, old). I really wanted to pick up this book because I’ve been hearing good reviews about it, and the series in general. Hmmm… Perhaps it’s about time I give it a try.
I’m due to reread the original as well. It’s been decades since I read it and I don’t even remember!