The Darker Story of Neverland

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: I have a thing for Peter Pan. I loved the books and the movies and the idea behind Peter Pan and Neverland. I’ve even written a short story featuring Peter.

There’s a new mini series on Syfy called Neverland. The show is a prequel to J.M. Barrie’s Peter Pan. It’s about Peter before he became Pan, Hook before he became a captain, and the story that led them to become enemies.

This version of Peter Pan is darker, more complex, and more human. 

It’s Peter’s origin story and, though I haven’t watched it yet, it looks good.

Peter Pan

In case this story and my booklist didn’t tip you off, I’m a bit fascinated by Peter Pan.

Because of the infinite possibilities of Neverland (I like real food as much as the next person, but nothing beats the wide range of imaginary food).

Because the story is rife with psychological nuances and brilliant insights.

Because who doesn’t want Peter Pan to appear at her bedroom window to fly her (fly!) to Neverland?

Because as fantastical as the world of Peter Pan is, there are pearls of truth strung throughout.

Peter Pan Grows Up

The change came slowly for Peter. It was so slow that Peter himself didn’t realize it until after it had happened. Of course, when Peter realized that the change had happened, he told everyone that he’d known it all along, for Peter Pan was a very cocky boy. So he would talk, and as he talked he nodded sagely, and that air of authority that surrounded him shivered delightfully.

The change is this: Peter Pan started to remember things. Or rather, he ceased to forget.

Oftentimes, Peter would have whole adventures and then simply forget them. He would forget killing villains, like his arch-enemy Captain James Hook, pirate extraordinaire. He would forget the Lost Boys and his mother, Wendy. And sometimes Peter even forgot bosom friends, like his fairy, Tinker Bell.

Peter was good at forgetting. This is what made him stay a boy for so long. Because, as everyone knows, it’s when you start remembering things that you start to grow up. You can’t remember something without learning from it, or changing. You become sad when someone you love has died, or been lost. You become wiser after falling for a trap. When you remember something that has happened, you become a different person from the person you were before you experience the thing that happened.

Peter Pan did not want to be different. Peter wanted to remain a boy forever and have adventures.

Let us eavesdrop on Peter and observe the moment he realizes that he’s changed.