Dear Brutus

J. M. Barrie

Apr 2021 · Good Press

About this ebook

In J. M. Barrie's 'Dear Brutus', the reader is taken on a mystical journey to a magical woodland where a group of characters find themselves facing their innermost desires and regrets under the moonlit sky. The whimsical and fantastical setting mirrors the author's unique writing style, blending elements of realism with supernatural elements. The play can be categorized as a modern fantasy, exploring themes of second chances, human nature, and the choices we make in life. Barrie's use of symbolism and metaphor enriches the narrative, inviting readers to reflect on their own lives and the paths they have chosen. J. M. Barrie, best known for creating Peter Pan, drew inspiration from his own personal experiences and observations of human behavior to craft the intricate storyline of 'Dear Brutus'. His ability to infuse fantasy with profound insights into the human psyche makes this play a timeless classic that continues to resonate with audiences today. I highly recommend 'Dear Brutus' to readers who appreciate thought-provoking literature that delves into the complexities of human nature and offers a glimpse into the transformative power of self-reflection.

About the author

James Matthew Barrie, the creator of Peter Pan, was born on May 9, 1860, in Kirriemuir, Angus, Scotland. His idyllic boyhood was shattered by his brother's death when Barrie was six. His own grief and that of his mother influenced the rest of his life. Through his work, he sought to recapture the carefree joy of his first six years. Barrie came to London as a freelance writer in 1885. His early fiction, Auld Licht Idylls (1888) and A Window in Thrums (1889), were inspired by his youth in Kirriemuir. After publishing a biography of his mother Margaret Ogilvy and the autobiographical novel Sentimental Tommy, about a boy living in a dream world (1896), he concentrated on writing plays. The Admirable Crichton (1902), the story of a butler who becomes king of a desert island, helped to establish Barrie's reputation as a playwright. Meanwhile, he began to relive his childhood by telling the first Peter Pan stories to the sons of his friend, Sylvia Llewellyn Davies. The play Peter Pan was first performed in 1904 and published as a novel seven years later. Its imaginative drama, featuring the eternal boy's triumph over the grownup Captain Hook, idealizes childhood and underscores adults' inability to regain it. These resonant themes made it a classic of world literature. Barrie's later work shows his increasingly cynical view of adulthood, particularly in Dear Brutus (1917). Often considered his finest play, it concerns nine men and women whose caprices destroy a miraculous opportunity to relive their lives. Barrie married the former Mary Ansell in 1894. They divorced in 1909, never having any children. Barrie died in London on June 19, 1937.