The Last Unicorn by Peter S. Beagle Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of The Last Unicorn
Book Review: Another impatient reader -
Summary: 5 Stars
Oh, for heaven's sake. "Not as good as the movie?" I want to hit my head against the wall. Almost as brain-numbing as the same phrase applied to The Princess Bride. If I weren't so dang verbal, I'd be speechless. I will admit I have not been as engaged with Beagle's other stories. But this book is one of a very few I've come across in my long history of reading-odd, moving, entertaining on the surface, but provoking in the most philosophical sense-lyrical, controlled, well-played, witty and haunting. You don't get to write this kind of book often in your life. In the play of the language there are shadings and suggestions of truth that could NEVER come out in a visual presentation of the "story." When you strip the plot of its verbal constructs, you lose the essential joy, the possibility of discovery, the amazing chance to see a little more deeply into what your life may mean.
This story is romantic. But in the most classic sense. The unicorn's journey is away from a world that has grown too sure of its own reality, fascinated with the work of its own hands-blind, limited, short teathered and terrified of losing what it thinks it owns. Beagle is right about us. You could think he is talking about something as simple as growing up; certainly, growing up has hobbled my senses. But stopping at that would be stopping short.
The sacrifice offered is archetypal, and I believe that is the source of the story's depth. For this book is more parable than fable, and magic in a true way.
And there is this: why would the unicorn have made the journey, unless it was hope driving her? And that, I think, is what I was left with when I finally finished the book. I could feel hope. And I could feel wonder. This alone is worth the price of admission.
But I make the book sound too serious and heavy. The language flows beautifully. The book is a joy to read. Best to read it in springtime, though. About the time the lilacs blow -
I've never met Mr. Beagle and probably never will. But there is something about the writing in this book that makes me curious about what kind of person could have done it. And that, I must say, is part of the pleasure-
Book Review: Beautiful Fantasy Fairy Tale
Summary: 5 Stars
"The unicorn lived in a lilac wood, and she lived all alone. She was very old, though she did not know it, and she was no longer the careless color of sea foam, but rather the color of snow falling on a moonlit night. But her eyes were still clear and unwearied, and she still moved like a shadow on the sea."
So begins Peter Beagle's, The Last Unicorn. What a fantastic book! This one has been on my to be read list for a long while.
The Last Unicorn is everything that a fantasy should be. It has unicorns to begin with, magicians, gypsies, old kingdoms, kings, princes, magic, an old castle on top of a hill, and a giant red bull.
It is the story of a unicorn who is on a quest to find others like herself. Along the way, she meets a magician and a gypsy sort of woman. They are on a quest to find The Red Bull who must be defeated in order for her to find the other unicorns. Plenty of magic, fighting, wizardry, love and loss occur along the way, all in breathtaking fashion.
The unicorn is a wonderful, powerful character. Unicorns are one of the first things that pop into my mind when I think of fantasy. Even white horses look magical in real life because of the idea of a unicorn. Peter Beagle's unicorn is the definition of what a unicorn should be. She's mysterious, powerful, beautiful, glowing, and magical. She reminded me a lot of Yvaine from Stardust even though Yvaine wasn't a unicorn. Read the book and you'll understand why. I thought of Stardust a lot while reading this book. It has the same magical theme, and is a classic fantastic fairy tale like Stardust is. In fact, I'm hoping that there's one scene involving a unicorn in Stardust that does not make it to the film because it was very upsetting just reading it.
The red bull was a wonderful character in The Last Unicorn. He is described as an enormous red bull who's size is more than one can imagine with horns like lightning and a sort of electricity coming off of him. He is also blind. He herds unicorns into the sea. Wonderful fantasy character and even though he's somewhat of a villain I still loved him.
The illustrations are done by Mel Grant and I loved them. They were exactly what they should be and I can't describe them much better than that. Black and white illustrations with a very "sketched" look that fit perfectly with the story.
This was my first book of Peter Beagle's. The man is an extraordinary writer. His descriptions are so detailed and beautiful and so different from any other authors I've read. He has a wonderful way with words and creates a beautiful story here. The next issue of Orson Scott Card's online magazine Intergalactic Medicine Show is supposed to have an interview with him and a new short story by him. Can't wait for that.
There's also an animated version of The Last Unicorn out there that I'd like to check out. It's always good to see a book translated into a movie and I believe that Peter Beagle wrote the screenplay for the movie.
Book Review: Beautiful and Fantastic
Summary: 5 Stars
No matter how many fantasy books you have read, The Last Unicorn is a fantasy unlike any other. Unlike many other denser books, The Last Unicorn is light in both tone and content. There is a fey air of the absurd about it that makes it all the more magical.While I can put other fantasy books aside, I simply had to read The Last Unicorn from cover to cover in one sitting. It really drew me into its own unique world; a world both beautiful and elusive.
The story is a simple one revolving around a unicorn (she is never named) who leaves her enchanted lilac wood only to find that she is the last surviving unicorn. She decides to go on a quest in order to discover why, and is soon joined by Schmendrick the magician and Molly Grue, a scullery maid. Together, this motley group travels to the castle of King Haggard where they believe the Red Bull has imprisoned all the other unicorns of the world. All does not go as planned, of course, and adventure follows.
I think many people make the mistake of thinking The Last Unicorn is exclusively a children's book. Nothing could be further from the truth as this beautiful, little tale can be read on many levels: as an adventure story or as an exploration of the nature of truth, beauty, reality, immortality and the ultimate purpose of life.
Of all the fantasy books I have ever read, this is my alltime favorite and the one I find most beautiful as well as possessing the most depth and emotion. It is a lovely tale that brings the secrets of life and love into wonderful focus.
Book Review: Best adult and child-proof fantasy book I have ever read.
Summary: 5 Stars
I grew up on the movie and didn't know that it came from a book until 5th grade. When I read the book I felt so many emotions. Pain, pleasure happiness. Now a college freshman I realize that the book hold alot of meaning. I have had all my friends read my copy, and most have bought their own.Book Review: Breaks your heart while making it soar...
Summary: 5 Stars
I've now read this book twice, and I've started to read it a third time. I never ever read books more than once, even when I think they are excellent. This book never fails to make me cry, even though it seems to lack great tragedy. This book is simply so beautiful that it makes you cry. On the surface it is a child's story, but beneath the fairy tale exterior lies a testimonial to truth, love, life, and lost innocence. Do not read this book and let the deeper meaning evade you. If you enjoy this book I highly reccomend the animated movie version of it, which is also remarkably beautiful, while leaving out some important details. Also, I'd like to inform other TLU lovers that a live action movie is in the making and will be released in Fall/Winter 2003. This version will not be made after the original animated movie, but will be more thoroughly based on the book itself. I, and other fans, are eagerly awaiting its arrival.