Photograph: aerhion/Illustrations by Gwynedd Hudson, Courtesy of SP Books. She said she thought this indicates that Barrie originally wanted to emphasise the distance between the world of grown-ups and that of Peter Pan: “Neverland is really a Never Never Land, a land which grown-ups can never, never reach.” “It seems more mysterious in the manuscript,” said Nelson. It is also named later than in the 1911 book. In the manuscript, Neverland is called Never Never Land and features a “desolation bay”. He was also trying to show that children can be fierce,”said Nelson. “Barrie was not afraid of going to some dark places. He then takes Wendy’s daughter off to Neverland, leaving Wendy behind, desperate to be allowed to come. This depiction is arguably more consistent with the ending of the book, where Peter callously reveals to Wendy that he has forgotten Tinkerbell entirely. Peter is also more of an “egoist” in Barrie’s manuscript, compared with the final published version, she said: “I would say he is more mean.” Jessica Nelson, who edited the new edition, said that the characterisation of Peter in the manuscript reminded her of Mary Shelley’s original version of Frankenstein: “The creature in the manuscript was darker, with less human qualities.”

For example, he deleted descriptions of him as “an elfish boy” who speaks “defiantly” to Wendy and tries to be “more contemptuous than ever”.

The new edition demonstrates how Barrie toned down Peter Pan’s character to suit audiences in 1911, after having second thoughts about how negatively Peter should be portrayed.

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