Peter Darling, Austin Chant
Peter Darling takes the story of Peter Pan and imagines what might be the reasons behind Peter’s insistence that he’ll never grow up, his wildness and casual cruelty. What if Peter comes back to Neverland — how have things been without him?
I don’t want to say too much about it, because I think this exploration of Neverland is best taken as it comes, allowing the story to make it clear what exactly it wants to explore in its own time. I found it really enjoyable, though, and loved that the nature of the relationship between Hook and Peter was explored, developed and deepened.
I think their time alone together — and the way their relationship changes as a result — is nicely done, and the only reason I’m not sure about the ending is that it doesn’t entirely feel right that Peter “has to” grow up and accept — well, you’ll see. At the same time, the novel never denies Peter’s assertion that he is not Wendy, and not a girl, so it was more of a slightly off note for me than something which spoiled it.
