Through the Looking Glass Children's Book Reviews

Peter Pan Audio

Peter Pan Audio

J.M. Barrie
Fiction
For ages 6 and up
Unabridged audiobook (CD)
Performed/read by: Tim Curry
Simon and Schuster Audio, 2006   ISBN: 0743564529

Generations of children and adults have been captivated by the story of Peter Pan, the boy who never grows up, who can fly, and who lives in a magical place called Never Never Land. Prequels and sequels of J.M Barrie’s original story have been written. There  have been films, plays, musicals, and animated cartoons. There is even a statue of Peter in a park in London, which serves as a tribute to Barrie and his boy character.

Now fantasy enthusiasts, both young and old, can enjoy listening to Barrie’s original story. They can hear the story of the magical boy who comes to visit the Darling household one night and loses his shadow. The boy, Peter, then returns to retrieve his shadow, and he meets Wendy Darling and her brothers, John and Michael. Being a basically selfish child, Peter lures the Darling children away with tales of his home in Never Never Land, and off the children fly “Second to the right, and straight on till morning,” until they get to the island where there are pirates, mermaids, Indians, and a group of lost boys who need a mother.

Tim Curry has delighted audiences for years with his television, film, and theatre performances. For this audiobook, Curry has created a rich and colorful narrative that is a sheer delight to listen to. Listeners will soon get caught up in Barrie’s story, and some may even wish that they too could fly to Never Never Land.