Lost Boy

(The True Story of Captain Hook)

By: Christina Henry

Narrated by: Samuel Roukin

Published by Recorded Books 07/04/2007

7 hrs and 43 mins

Lost Boy Audiobook Sample

Lost Boy Audiobook

(The True Story of Captain Hook)

5 Hearts

What if we got it all wrong all this time? What if Peter Pan were the villain? And that was enough of a premise to whet me appetite for this book. I’ve always been a fairy tale fan both the light recent adaptions and the darker historical ones. Taking the anti-hero, Captain Hook, telling of how it all began, and turning him into a dark hero from the classic Peter Pan story really kept me riveted from the beginning.

Jamie’s story is not an easy or light one. He’s one of Pan’s Lost Boys- no, he’s THE Lost Boy. He was the first and the best loved- or so he thought. Jamie learns over time that Peter doesn’t always tell the truth and he doesn’t care about the boys like Jamie does. He can always go get more if these ones don’t survive his ‘games’, right? Jamie has gradually gone from happy go lucky little boy playmate to the only one keeping the boys well-being at heart. So many losses that begin to really weigh on his soul. As he slowly learns the truth about Peter and the magical island, horror dawns for him.

This story is told all from Jamie’s point of view and I loved the young boy slowly growing up voice that the author gives him. He’s had to mature on his own and grasp adult concepts on his own and it’s awkward and sometimes he makes mistakes or doesn’t quite get all the nuances of what is going on. After being stuck in this darker fantasy world of Peter’s for so long, Jamie is dark and vicious himself in ways, but he’s also a caregiver and compassionate. He’s a natural leader which is what draws the boys to him in spite of Peter’s winsome ways that promises forever fun. I really enjoyed being right alongside him as everything played out. I was cheering for him and grew to loathe Peter.

While the story edges along the sidelines of being a horror throughout the story, I’d categorize it more as a grittier fantasy. It’s about young boys, but this is very much a tale for adults. The author cleverly provides a story in which the reader can peel back the layers on his or her own. I enjoyed figuring parts out, but also getting those twists that reveal the whole picture- and boy was it a doozy.

For those looking for the elements of the Peter Pan tale, they are here- mermaid lagoon, the pirate camp, the crocodile, the lost boys, fairies, the boy who never grows up- but some are also missing or just not addressed. The focus is Peter’s boys and their adventures which are harrowing and deadly. I’ve actually not read the original Pet Pan play so I can only go on the newer children’s books and play adaptions I’ve seen and read so maybe there are more elements or even less.

All in all, I found Lost Boy an engaging dark tale that stayed with me for some time afterward. Those who enjoy grittier fairy tale style fantasy should definitely give this one a go. Meanwhile, I’ve got my eye on the author’s others works that take on other fairy tale stories.

Lost Boy Audiobook Narration

5 Hearts

I had not experienced Samuel Roukin’s narration work before, but he was a fabulous fit for this bloodthirsty tale. He caught the gravity, the sense of impending peril, pacing and tension, and oh so well done emotions of Jamie and the others. I look forward to seeing what other works he has.

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