Have you ever wondered about the story behind Captain Hook? When I finished this book, all I could say was, “Wow!” If you’re used to thinking that Peter Pan was a good boy, this story might give you a bit of a shock. This dark and bloody book is not one you want to share with your children.
The first sentence of the book told me that this wasn’t the same Disney Peter Pan that I grew up watching and reading about. That fun-loving image of him is forever gone from my mind. Peter Pan might have been a boy, but he was not innocent and full of fun.
How did he populate his island? He would steal children off the streets and take them to live with him, promising them a life of fun away from grownups. And they will never grow up themselves but will always stay young.
But Peter kept secrets, and Peter lied. He never tells them about the monsters, the crocodile pond, or the pirates before taking them there. He doesn’t fill them in on all the fighting they will do and the blood they will shed. And he definitely doesn’t let them know that one day, their blood might be shed as well.
Boys will be boys, and the island was full of boys that didn’t like to bathe. And some of the boys who had been with him a while. I imagine that wherever they were, it would stink.
This story is told through the eyes of the very first boy that Peter Pan took, Jamie. Jamie is the one who cares for the others that Peter brings to his island. Jamie is known for cutting off one of the hands of each pirate he fights. Everything is great until Jamie quits believing in Peter and starts to grow up.
But Jamie can never leave the island, and the island won’t allow Peter to die.
I read reviews on Amazon where people did not like this book and said it was a waste of time. I’m not sure what book they read, but it couldn’t have been the same one that I just finished. Lost Boy hooked me on the very first sentence— Sometimes I dreamed of blood. During the two days it took me to finish this book, it was a struggle to take a break from reading it for any reason.
Those of you who are the least bit curious about where Captain Hook came from will love this book. Lovers of tales that are dark don’t want to miss this one. If you would like to purchase this book, I’ve provided an Amazon link for you below.
Amazon Link: Lost Boy: The True Story of Captain Hook
Favorite Sentences:
I’d never been able to tell if they hated to wash because Peter did or because they liked feeling the bugs in their hair. (NOTE: This sentence made me cringe.)
He was a worm inside the sweet fruit, and when you found a worm, you tossed it to the ground and stomped on it.
No matter how many times we fought there, or how much blood was spilled, the rock remained white and smooth.
The moon was full, like it always was on the island, watching with its cold, cold eyes.
New Words Learned:
mummers – people that wear masks or fantastic costumes while merrymaking or taking part in a pantomime
pupilless – This word is an adjective that means not having pupils. I had to look this one up even though the meaning was obvious. To my surprise, it really is a word.
About the Author:
Christina Henry is the author of the Chronicles of Alice books, Alice and Red Queen (The Chronicles of Alice), a dark and twisted take on Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, as well as Lost Boy: The True Story of Captain Hook, an origin story of Captain Hook from Peter Pan.
She is also the author of the national bestselling Black Wings series (Black Wings, Black Night, Black Howl, Black Lament, Black City, Black Heart, and Black Spring) featuring Agent of Death Madeline Black and her popcorn-loving gargoyle Beezle.
She enjoys running long distances, reading anything she can get her hands on and watching movies with samurai, zombie,s and/or subtitles in her spare time. She lives in Chicago with her husband and son.
You can visit her on the web at www.christinahenry.net, facebook.com/authorChristinaHenry, twitter.com/C_Henry_Author, and www.goodreads.com/CHenryAuthor.
1 comment for “Lost Boy: The True Story of Captain Hook – a Review”