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The Last Unicorn (The Last Unicorn, #1)

Peter S. Beagle

Start date: January 1, 2019

Finish date: January 30, 2019

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Why we're reading this: Group Classic Novel discussion January 2019
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#55 on NPR's Top 100 SF/…more
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Group November 2012 Classic discussion
#55 on NPR's Top 100 SF/F novels of all time (2011 poll) http://www.npr.org/2011/08/11/1390858...
#14 on Locus Magazines Best Fantasy novels of the 20th century http://www.locusmag.com/2012/AllCentu...

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Apr 30, 2011 EA Solinas rated it it was amazing

Shelves: fantasy, favorites

Peter Beagle's "The Last Unicorn" is one of the ultimate modern fairy tales -- the magical, bittersweet story of a little unicorn's search for others of her kind. Beagle spun a story of amazing simplicity and beauty, and it's only enhanced by the exquisitely lovely prose and the bittersweetness of the romance. What other unicorn story can evoke tat?

A unicorn has lived happily in her idyllic little forest, until the day she hears a man say that "unicorns are long gone. If indeed they ever were." Peter Beagle's "The Last Unicorn" is one of the ultimate modern fairy tales -- the magical, bittersweet story of a little unicorn's search for others of her kind. Beagle spun a story of amazing simplicity and beauty, and it's only enhanced by the exquisitely lovely prose and the bittersweetness of the romance. What other unicorn story can evoke tat?

A unicorn has lived happily in her idyllic little forest, until the day she hears a man say that "unicorns are long gone. If indeed they ever were." To find if she is indeed the last unicorn, she sets out on a journey across the land, and soon discovers that the people have forgotten what a unicorn even looks like.

But she hears a butterfly speak of the Red Bull, and how he has captured all the unicorns of the world except her. So she sets out to find the others like her.

Along her journey, she is captured by a traveling circus, and rescued by a bumbling young wizard with illusion powers. Along with the wizard and a bandit's girlfriend, she makes her way to the malignant castle of King Haggard -- and is transformed into a mortal girl, who experiences love, uncertainty, and finally sorrow.

"The Last Unicorn" is honestly one of my favorite fantasy novels of all time, especially since Peter Beagle managed to write such a simple, haunting little fairy tale. There's romance, tragedy, fantastical creatures, and a mythical creature setting out on a seemingly hopeless quest -- and it's all so beautifully simple and powerfully real.

And Beagle's prose only enhances the beauty of his story -- he fills it with luminous imagery ("Your eyes are full of green leaves, crowded with trees and streams and small animals"), haunting scenes and a plot both simple and entrancing. And there are many bittersweet moments, such as a woman lamenting that a unicorn has only come to her when she's no longer a bright, innocent young girl.

The unicorn/Amalthea herself is a pretty unique character. She's incredibly ancient and wise, but she's also somewhat arrogant and very naive about the evils of the world -- and about human emotions. Schmendrick and Molly make solid supporting characters who help the Unicorn along her journey, particularly during her time as a human girl.

"The Last Unicorn" is a beautiful, bittersweet little tale spun out of magical prose and powerful characters. A lovely, entrancing story.
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