![Book Cover of Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens](/image/book/peter-pan-in-kensington-gardens.webp)
Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens
by J. M. Barrie
'Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens' Summary
Peter is a seven-day-old infant who, "like all infants", used to be part bird. Peter has complete faith in his flying abilities, so, upon hearing a discussion of his adult life, he is able to escape out of the window of his London home and return to Kensington Gardens. Upon returning to the Gardens, Peter is shocked to learn from the crow Solomon Caw that he is not still a bird, but more like a human – Solomon says he is crossed between them as a "Betwixt-and-Between". Unfortunately, Peter now knows he cannot fly, so he is stranded in Kensington Gardens. At first, Peter can only get around on foot, but he commissions the building of a child-sized thrush's nest that he can use as a boat to navigate the Gardens by way of the Serpentine, the large lake that divides Kensington Gardens from Hyde Park.
Although he terrifies the fairies when he first arrives, Peter quickly gains favour with them. He amuses them with his human ways and agrees to play the panpipes at the fairy dances. Eventually, Queen Mab grants him the wish of his heart, and he decides to return home to his mother. The fairies reluctantly help him to fly home, where he finds his mother is asleep in his old bedroom.
Peter feels rather guilty for leaving his mother, mostly because he believes she misses him terribly. He considers returning to live with her, but first decides to go back to the Gardens to say his last good-byes. Unfortunately, Peter stays too long in the Gardens, and, when he uses his second wish to go home permanently, he is devastated to learn that, in his absence, his mother has given birth to another boy she can love. Peter returns, heartbroken, to Kensington Gardens.
Peter later meets a little girl named Maimie Mannering, who is lost in the Gardens. He and Maimie become fast friends, and little Peter asks her to marry him. Maimie is going to stay with him, but realises that her mother must be missing her dreadfully, so she leaves Peter to return home. Maimie does not forget Peter, however, and when she is older, she makes presents and letters for him. She even gives him an imaginary goat which he rides around every night. Maimie is the literary predecessor to the character Wendy Darling in Barrie's later Peter and Wendy story.
Throughout the novel, Peter misunderstands simple things like children's games. He does not know what a pram is, mistaking it for an animal, and he becomes extremely attached to a boy's lost kite. It is only when Maimie tells him that he discovers he plays all his games incorrectly. When Peter is not playing, he likes to make graves for the children who get lost at night, burying them with little headstones in the Gardens.
Book Details
Language
EnglishOriginal Language
EnglishPublished In
1906Author
![J. M. Barrie image](/thumbs/image/author/j-m-barrie.webp)
J. M. Barrie
Scottish
Barrie knew that he wished to follow a career as an author. However, his family attempted to persuade him to choose a profession such as the ministry. With advice from Alexander, he was able to work o...
More on J. M. BarrieDownload eBooks
Listen/Download Audiobook
- Select Speed
Related books
![Veronica Cover image](/thumbs/image/book/veronica.webp)
Veronica by Johanna Spyri
Published in 1886, this novel encompasses a small community wherein Veronica, having lost her own mother, is “adopted” by a neighbour, Gertrude, who h...
![Tom Swift and His Big Tunnel Cover image](/thumbs/image/book/tom-swift-and-his-big-tunnel.webp)
Tom Swift and His Big Tunnel by Victor Appleton
Tom Swift and His Big Tunnel, or, the Hidden City of the Andes, is Volume 19 in the original Tom Swift novel series published by Grosset & Dunlap.
![Bannertail: The Story of a Graysquirrel Cover image](/thumbs/image/book/bannertail-the-story-of-a-graysquirrel.webp)
Bannertail: The Story of a Graysquirrel by Ernest Thompson Seton
In the heart of an enchanting forest, a tale of courage, friendship, and the wonders of nature unfolds. "Bannertail: The Story of a Graysquirrel" by E...
![The Story of the Treasure Seekers Cover image](/thumbs/image/book/the-story-of-the-treasure-seekers.webp)
The Story of the Treasure Seekers by Edith Nesbit
The Story of the Treasure Seekers is a novel by E. Nesbit. First published in 1899, it tells the story of Dora, Oswald, Dicky, Alice, Noel, and Horace...
![Otto of the Silver Hand Cover image](/thumbs/image/book/otto-of-the-silver-hand.webp)
Otto of the Silver Hand by Howard Pyle
Otto of the Silver Hand is a children's historical novel set in the Middle Ages written and illustrated by Howard Pyle. It was published in 1888 by Ch...
![Tik-Tok of Oz Cover image](/thumbs/image/book/tik-tok-of-oz.webp)
Tik-Tok of Oz by L. Frank Baum
Tik-Tok of Oz is the eighth Land of Oz book written by L. Frank Baum, published on June 19, 1914. The book has little to do with Tik-Tok and is primar...
![Emma Cover image](/thumbs/image/book/emma.webp)
Emma by Jane Austen
A comedy of manners, Emma portrays the spoilt, snobbish, yet charming Emma Woodhouse as she delightfully interferes in the relationships of others wit...
![Pollyanna Cover image](/thumbs/image/book/pollyanna.webp)
Pollyanna by Eleanor H. Porter
This is a timeless classic expressing the universal message that every aspect of life should be looked at in a positive way. It follows the actions of...
![The Velveteen Rabbit Cover image](/thumbs/image/book/the-velveteen-rabbit.webp)
The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams
The Velveteen Rabbit is a British children's book written by Margery Williams and illustrated by William Nicholson. It chronicles the story of a stuff...
![David Copperfield Cover image](/thumbs/image/book/david-copperfield.webp)
David Copperfield by Charles Dickens
Charles Dickens is one of the most appreciated Victorian writers, his novels gaining worldwide recognition by both critics and readers. First publishe...
Reviews for Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens
No reviews posted or approved, yet...