Book Challenge Day 6: A book that makes you sad

I have read many bittersweet stories, but the one that hits me the most is Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie.

 I have always been a kid at heart, and a fan of Peter and Wendy. 

It's not only sad that Peter doesn't go with Wendy, but also that he forgets her. That forgetfulness becomes an emptiness, and Peter becomes a wanderer.

Another scene that makes me sad is when Peter returns to take Wendy's daughter away. The realization that Peter feels betrayed by Wendy growing up strikes a chord in my heart, and I pity him. No matter how much Wendy tries to explain the world to him, Peter Pan refuses to be a part of the world. Instead he remains alone, with only fading memories to comfort him. He even forgets Tinker Bell, and that moment makes him truly helpless.

For some reason the fact that Peter is frozen in childhood makes this story magical and bittersweet. Forgetting people and always craving a place to belong, Peter goes from adventure to adventure, but he can't use the wisdom that comes with looking back on the past. He is made of the present, fleeting and fragile. He is a lonely character, and a tragic hero. 

I still love Peter Pan as a novel, play and wonderful tale, but the ending of this story always makes me sad. I feel sorry for Peter, and Wendy. 

Peter and the Starcatcher: a review

(Official still of Peter and the Starcatcher)

I had the wonderful opportunity to watch Peter and the Starcatcher this evening in Downtown Denver. Being a fan of the series written by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson, I knew what I remembered from the novel, and what was told during the event at the Tattered Cover: the play had a pace, and everything had to be timed perfectly. I also knew that the play was set up to help you feel like a kid again, encouraging you to use your imagination. 

I enjoyed this play very much. The plot stays true to the novel's important events, and has a balance between clever dialogue, charming presentations and the serious events of the story. 

I must admit that I felt nostalgia while watching this play. When I worked at the Disney Parks, I often went to watch their shows and noticed that balance between the story and the modern day humor. I felt like this play did a good job appealing to an audience of all ages, and the creative actors deserved the standing ovation they got after their performance. 

Peter Pan's story is timeless in itself, but the story of Molly and Peter is something special that tugs at your heart and recreates that moment when a person realizes that they must make a decision between staying a child or growing up. 

I highly recommend this play to Peter Pan lovers, Disney fans and people of all ages. There really is something in this play for everyone. Whether it's the heartwarming story, clever comedy or the imaginative tricks that create the illusions for the audience, Peter and the Starcatcher is an entertaining and charming way to spend some time in Neverland.

(Me Disneybounding as Peter Pan for the event)

Ship of Clouds

The wind was brutal as the ship passed the setting sun. Peter knew that a storm was coming, but he wasn't afraid. Everything was an adventure just waiting to happen. The Lost Boys followed his orders and ran about the ship, watching the horizon.

"Alright you lackeys!" Peter said with a loud booming air. "It's time to sail into that storm!"

The Lost Boys watched as lighting appeared in the distance, and held on as the ship hit a bump of air on the breeze.  They were headed toward dark clouds and rougher winds. Soon they would sail through the stars, back to Neverland, but for now, Peter wanted to race the sunset and brave the storm  that surrounded them. Once the storm whipped on all sides of the ship, Peter grinned and yelled

"Hold steady!"

The Lost Boys held the ropes tightly and stood their ground as rain, wind and clouds met them. The wind rushed through the ship, while a loud boom of thunder warned them to turn back. 

"Steady now!" Peter yelled while turning the helm. A lightning bolt went past them, missing the ship by barely an inch. The winds and thunder grew louder and more menacing. Rain began to escape the clouds above them and fall in loud showers across the ship. 

"Hold on!" 

Peter laughed as the ship dove past another lightning bolt. They had passed the eye of the storm. Ahead a clear path formed between the dark clouds. Stars twinkled at them, as if they were marveling  in their success. For Peter, nothing was impossible. 

"To Neverland!" He yelled, and the boat sailed smoothly through the sky, toward the second star, and out of sight. 

The Point of Peter Pan

I feel like clarifying this, because I just got back from a class that literally picked Pan's character apart as a violent and abusive bully. This is not the point of Peter Pan. Peter himself is representative of two things, childhood and denial. Peter is a child who wants to be a child forever. His extreme case can often be a complex tragedy. He forgets things, people and make believes so often that he has no constant in his life except to make believe. He is also incredibly lonely because he has no family structure, hence why he creates one. Wendy's character represents the transition from childhood to adulthood. This is why Peter and Wendy cannot be together. During the story Wendy is sitting on the fence about whether or not she wants to grow up, but she eventually realizes that she must grow up, as all children must. This realization is a rite of passage that anyone child or adult can relate to. I don't think that children's literature should be dissected with such a biased view that it has to have some sort of "adult" or "mature" element. To do so seems to defeat the purpose, because it is an immature act in of itself. There, my rant is over.
Peter Pan is a very interesting piece of literature that has lasted so long because it contains a universal theme. Everyone must grow up. I think in all honesty that the reader envies Peter and would love to go back to childhood and not have to worry about so many complications in life. But Peter also is portrayed as a complicated character who sort of lives a lie. In all honesty, Peter is an empathetic character who is in denial of reality. This type of personality is a major fault, but it also makes him endearing. He does care about others, but always masks it when he feels like his pride has lowered. He is human, and yet he isn't human. He doesn't age, but still has faults. So to sum this up, I love Peter Pan, both the character and the story. I think it hits home in the rite of passage in growing up.
The point of Peter Pan's story is that all children must grow up, because if they don't they will be stuck in a constant cycle of forgetfulness. Even so, I still love Peter Pan, because I feel that childhood is an important part of your life, and it doesn't need to be dissected into "adult" minds.

The Bridge to Never Land

Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson are at it again. Their new book is a more modern day story about finding Never Land. I haven't read the book yet, but I did see it in the store and read the first two chapters. I was unable to put it down through Sarah and Aidan's sibling fight. I will say this. All their children's books have interesting plots, great characters and exciting twists. One day I hope to write stories like that, and entertain many Disney fans and children ^_^ So, I guess the scoop of the day is: if you like Peter Pan, humor and adventure, this book is for you!