Anita C. reviewed Neverland: J. M. Barrie, the Du Mauriers, and the Dark Side of Peter Pan on + 32 more book reviews
Very interesting account of the families behind Peter Pan and the sinister secrets that lurked behind J.M. Barrie's classic "Peter Pan." If you've seen the movie "Finding Neverland," you will find this book fascinating.
Cheryl (boomerbooklover) -
Fascinating book about J. M. Barrie & the DuMaurier family. George DuMaurier, dabbler in new ideas of his day, including the occult, hypnosis, etc., wrote the book Trilby, which introduced the character Svengali and the concept of mind control. His granddaughter Daphne authored many classic mysteries, including Rebecca, several of which were made into Alfred Hitchcock movies. Barrie is depicted as a very strange character, enamored of Daphnes young male cousins, one of whom was the inspiration for Peter Pan. This is not the easiest of reads; the first 1/3 or so is about George DuMaurier. But it all ties together, and is entertaining as well as disturbing. Two points to consider: 1) Hypnotist performers have their subjects demonstrate that they respond to suggestions by having them sing or cluck like chickens. At the snap of fingers, they wake up and have no memory of what theyve done. What if the hypnotist suggests that their subject behave a certain way (you will think fondly of X; you will visit X whenever you are in London, etc.) and never wakes them up? 2) Why do people love the story of Peter Pan? Peter steals into homes uninvited in the middle of the night, and takes away the children!
I found this a very memorable, if somewhat disturbing, read. If Peter Pan or J.M. Barrie are your favorites, you should probably pass on reading this book unless you're interested in the dark side of both.
I found this a very memorable, if somewhat disturbing, read. If Peter Pan or J.M. Barrie are your favorites, you should probably pass on reading this book unless you're interested in the dark side of both.
