This book is a literary analysis of J.M. Barrie-s Peter Pan in all its different versions -- key rewritings, dramatisations, prequels, and sequels -- and includes a synthesis of the main critical interpretations of the text over its history. A comprehensive and intelligent study of the Peter Pan phenomenon, this study discusses the book-s complicated textual history, exploring its origins in the Harlequinade theatrical tradition and British pantomime in the nineteenth century. Stirling investigates potential textual and extra-textual sources for Peter Pan, the critical tendency to seek sources in Barrie-s own biography, and the proliferation of prequels and sequels aiming to explain, contextualize, or close off, Barrie-s exploration of the imagination. The sources considered include Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson-s Starcatchers trilogy, R-s Loisel-s six-part Peter Pan graphic novel in French (1990-2004), Andrew Birkin-s The Lost Boys serie
