The Dark Side of Peter Pan is a great read focusing on the life of JM Barry and the people that he met that influenced his writing. Fascinating read for any biography or Peter Pan fan. I read this in one sitting as I was completely mesmerised in the history behind one of the best childrens novels/plays ever

NetGalley, Claire Wilson

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

As a child, I loved the Peter Pan story. I was fascinated by the concept of never growing up and loved the illustrations in the volume I was gifted. It’s a perennial theme and over the years it’s given name to a medical syndrome amongst other things. But I knew little or nothing about JMBarrie other than the fact that he was Scottish. I was intrigued by this title and I’ve enjoyed the insight into the man behind the timeless classic.

Olivia Camozzi appears to have undertaken meticulous research and much of the content is based on fact rather than conjecture. It’s very well written and places the man in context of time and place. I’d never considered many of the darker themes touched on or explored in his work, but clearly, there was a darkness within him and the reasons for this are objectively considered. This is a very readable account of a conflicted and brilliant individual. I’ve enjoyed it and will be revisiting his works with a rather different insight and eye. It perhaps explodes some of the innocence with which I’ve always approached the stories, but it adds rather than detracts from my appreciation. A fascinating biography.

NetGalley, Anita Wallas

Fascinating. I never knew about the actual life of the Peter Pan author. I had heard many takes on the original story and knew the Disney version to not be true to the tale. To hear so much about before, during, and after the creation of this enduring story was truly interesting.

NetGalley, Jessica Hembree

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

This was an excellent biography. I have listened to several podcasts about Barrie's life before but never read a full biography and learned so many new facts.

NetGalley, Rebecca Stewart

As seen in 'The dark side of Peter Pan's J. M. Barrie, the man who couldn’t grow up'.

Read the article here!

British Heritage Travel

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

A really enjoyable read from a thoughtful writer. Everything you would wish for from a biography, little known stories along side the more well known. A perfectly balanced review of Barrie’s life, work and personality. It was evident that the writer had done a significant about of research. I felt she approached her subject with a neutral stance wanting to portray the real Barrie as much as possible without judgement. I would love to read further books from this author.

NetGalley, Gemma Lynn

As seen in 'Peter Pan author JM Barrie ‘cleared’ of being a paedophile'.

Read the article here.

The Times

The Dark Side of Peter Pan: J. M. Barrie, the Man Who Couldn’t Grow Up by Olivia Camozzi offers a compelling and respectful exploration of J. M. Barrie’s life and his relationships, particularly with the Davies boys. Olivia Camozzi approaches the often-controversial aspects of Barrie’s life with a fresh, modern perspective that is more reflective and less burdened by outdated prejudices.

What stands out is Camozzi’s dedication to accuracy and context, as she carefully assembles letters, journal entries, and well-established facts to bring a nuanced understanding of Barrie’s complexities. The use of primary sources and historical documentation lends the narrative a solid foundation, but it’s the author’s empathetic and measured tone that adds a layer of dignity to Barrie’s portrayal.

The writing itself is dynamic, making it not just an academic exploration but a well-paced, engaging read. Camozzi never rushes to judgment but instead allows the facts to speak for themselves, inviting the reader to consider Barrie in all his dimensions. For anyone interested in a fair and meticulously researched examination of J. M. Barrie, this book offers a valuable and thought-provoking journey into the life of the man behind Peter Pan.

NetGalley, Natalia Weissfeld

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

This was a fascinating book about J.M. Barrie, it had that concept that I was looking for and enjoyed from this type of nonfiction book. It was researched well and shared the dark side of J.M. Barrie. Olivia Camozzi wrote this perfectly and can't wait to read more.

NetGalley, Kathryn McLeer

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

I found this book really thought-provoking and very well-researched. Although many people know the classic story of Peter Pan, fewer are aware of the sad life led by J M Barrie. It was interesting to see where some of his ideas for stories came from and the inspiration for the characters in Peter Pan and Wendy. An enjoyable read.

NetGalley, Rachael R

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

This is a fascinating account of the life and work of J M Barrie and the family which inspired what was arguably his greatest work. Reading about the tragic lives of the Llewlyn-Davies family was truly moving and the impact of WWI, mental illness and suicide on the family as a whole was simply devastating. To some extent, Barrie himself remains an enigma with so much of him known only through how he interacted with and felt towards others. The author’s careful research and sourcing of materials in invaluable in this respect.

NetGalley, Louise Gray