[On May 10, 2021 Strange Horizons officially expressed its political support for Palestinian solidarity. The views of Tangent Online reviewers are not necessarily those of Strange Horizons. Fiction critiqued at Tangent Online is, as much as is humanly possible, without prejudice and based solely on artistic merit.]

Strange Horizons, February 2, 2026

“Mother, Darling” by Allison Pottern

Reviewed by Victoria Silverwolf

“Mother, Darling” by Allison Pottern is a sequel to the various works of J. M. Barrie that feature the character of Peter Pan. Not long after the Great War, Wendy is married and the mother of a rebellious adolescent daughter who escapes to Neverland. Wendy journeys back to Neverland to rescue her daughter.

The author is clearly very familiar with Barrie’s works, particularly in their darker aspects that are often left out in later adaptations. Peter is completely selfish and heartless, treating Wendy and her daughter as servants in his endless games of war. (Tellingly, he no longer fights pirates but recreates the Great War with the Lost Boys as British soldiers and Captain Hook as a German officer. The fact that Wendy’s brother was killed in battle and that her home was destroyed during the bombing of London plays an important part in the story.)

The story not only provides a suspenseful fantasy adventure, but also deals with issues of childhood and maturity, the joys and sorrows of motherhood, and the role of women as caretakers. (Notably, Wendy’s husband is a kind and loving man, but ineffectual at practical matters.) These themes are handled in a mature and thoughtful manner, without easy answers.

Victoria Silverwolf recently wrote a seventy-five-word sequel to the stories about Peter Pan for a contest at the SFFChronicles forum.