A Delightful and Moving Experience

Listening to Peter Pan read by Christopher Cazenove was a delightful and moving experience, a story of exuberant childlike imagination (in which the line between make-believe play and real adventure is blurry) with an undercurrent of painful adult loss. One moment we are laughing at the pathetic pirate Smee, the unlucky Lost Boy Tootles, the conflicted Captain Hook (who can never resolve the dilemma of "good form"), or the playful narrator (who likes to hint at doom on the horizon or to remind us that we are after all only spectators), the next moment we are sighing at the sadness of Peter Pan's existence or at the inevitability of maturity and mortality. Wendy and Peter playing at being and almost becoming the parents of the Lost Boys is affectingly humorous and sad, because it is not quite the real thing and because it cannot continue.

Christopher Cazenove's reading of the book is flawless and engaging (just as is his reading of Howard Pyle's The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood). He doesn't need to change his voice dramatically to represent different characters, because his emotional engagement with them is so affecting.

I love Barrie's fusion of ideal (joyful innocent play) and real (heartless selfishness and forgetfulness) childhood. He channeled his conflicting feelings for children, childhood, parents, and adulthood into a charming and moving classic. If you've only ever seen the Disney version of the story, or if you've never experienced Peter Pan in any form, I highly recommend this audiobook version of it. I know that I'll listen to this book again many times.

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22 people found this helpful

I will listen again and again

This is perhaps my favorite audible so far. I have listened to this with my daughters three times now. It is much more fascinating than the Disney version of Peter Pan. The story is interesting enough to keep both adults and children engaged. The narrator is also very good. He adds a lot of value to this book. I will likely listen to this a few more times at the least, and this was money well spent!

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13 people found this helpful

The most artistic reading, great for ESL listeners

English is not the first language for my daughters and me, so I was looking for a very clear and dramatic reading of this book. The intricate over-a-century-old language, and complex phrases with unique twist of Barry's humor may be difficult to grasp for a non-native speaker, but Christopher Casenove's voice and his talented dramatic representation of each character made this book not just approachable, but my kids' and mine favorite! I've listened for the examples of other actors' readings of this book, but chose Christopher Casenove's for his artistic approach to reading of the book, his clear pronunciation, and his mazing, voice, and I've got all I expected plus more. Christopher Casenove's artistic reading makes "Peter Pan" shine as a true masterpiece this book is!

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6 people found this helpful

Blood thirsty

Amazingly blood thirsty, racist, and loaded with gender stereotypes. Hardly what we would consider an appropriate children's book a century after publication.

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4 people found this helpful

Classic book, that is much better than the Disney

This is an amazing book. I listened to this with my daughter numerous times. It's a way different story than what you are used to with Disney. I would listen to this if I didn't have kids, but it's so wonderful to listen to this with your child.

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2 people found this helpful

It is shockingly good storytelling.

What made the experience of listening to Peter Pan the most enjoyable?

The narrator, Christopher Cazenove, is so — so, so — fantastic. The ideal person for this book.

Any additional comments?

I had heard Whoopi Goldberg recommend this book on TV. And, I thought, "Really...'Peter Pan'!" What could she find fascinating about "Peter Pan"? So, I clicked on the book here, and "oh...my gosh!" 10 sentences in and I was hooked — terrible pun but true. Now, I am so glad I took her suggestion: it is storytelling magic at its best. J.M. Barrie's imagination and fluidity of thought and word is irresistibly powerful.

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2 people found this helpful

Peter Pan - better than the movies

This is a fabulous narration of the story. The writing is witty and engaging. I highly recommend this recording!

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1 person found this helpful

Wonderful

My first “reading” at 71. A marvelous story, truly well written and marvelously read by the late Christopher Cazenove. I was dismayed by the Indian tribe’s name so be forewarned. But I would not deprive myself of the pleasures of this book anymore than I would refuse to read ‘Oliver Twist’ because of Fagin.

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Amazing reading

Just what I was needing since my Wendy days have long flown away!
Christopher Cazenove has to now be one of my favorite performers! Highly recommended!

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A Classic

I really enjoyed listening to this book. The narrator was not irritating during the children’s voices, which was very much appreciated. I haven’t read it in many years, so it was nice hearing an unabridged version.
The book itself was very much as I remembered, though Tinker Bell calls Peter a silly ass a few more times than I remembered, and there were also more mentions of death than I recalled. If you’re sensitive to outdated writings of race, there are bits especially in regards to the natives that may offend you, but I don’t think it came up that much.
I really like the story of Peter Pan, as an adult I find myself much more sympathetic to the parents than I did as a child, but I still can’t help feeling a bit sad that I never got an adventure to Neverland. It really is a story to inspire young imaginations, but an enjoyable book for adults to listen to as well.

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