Peter Pan in Scarlet

by Geraldine McCaughrean

Scott M. Fischer (Illustrator)

In August 2004, the Special Trustees of Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital launched the search for a sequel to JM Barrie's timeless masterpiece, Peter Pan. The Special Trustees own the copyright and other intellectual property rights to Peter Pan, and to mark the work's centenary, they authorized the creation of a new work that would share the same enchanting characters as the original, and bring as much pleasure to children and adults universally as Peter Pan has done. Fighting off fierce competition from over 100 other writers, Geraldine McCaughrean has been commissioned to write this official sequel. In her entry, the judges found something that captured the elusive spirit of the original whilst offering a fresh and astounding creative response. Like Barrie's story, it will appeal to readers the world over.

• ISBN10: 1416918094
• ISBN13: 9781416918097
• Publish Date: 6 May 2008 (first published 1 October 2006)
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: Simon & Schuster
• Edition: Reprint ed.
• Format: Paperback (US Trade)
• Pages: 320
• Language: English

Reviews

[Silvara]

Check out my other reviews, discussions and link ups at Fantasy of the Silver Dragon.

I have loved the Peter Pan mythos ever since I was a little girl. I have a great many copies of the original book, all of which are just slightly different. So when I saw that this book is the first authorized sequel, I had to read it.

I think it did a pretty good job of staying true to the voice of J. M. Barrie's Peter Pan. And it still had unique twists of it's own. I loved that the adult Lost Boys were able to become children and travel to Neverland again by putting on the clothes of their own children. The part where they all tried to chase down a fairy in Kensington Gardens was funny, and I could totally picture it in my head.

The illustrations were neat as well. They were solid black, like shadows, and each chapter had it's own. There were a few others scattered through the book as well.

Tinker Bell didn't show up until nearly the end of the book, and she barely had a part at all. Which was one of the only things I didn't much care for. Instead we have a new fairy named Fireflyer, a boy fairy that helps them return to Neverland.

Neverland is a bit darker than we've seen it before, but it all fits once you know all the pieces as to why. The Raveling Man is a better choice for Peter's foe than the description on the book jacket makes him out to be. And we even get to know a little bit more about Hook himself.

If you love Peter Pan, you need to read this book.

This review was originally posted on Fantasy of the Silver Dragon