Fantasy Book Club discussion

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2012 Group Read discussions > The Last Unicorn - Planning to read, First Impressions ***NO SPOILERS**

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message 1: by Sandra (new)

Sandra  (sleo) | 1913 comments Post here if you are planning to read The Last Unicorn. Give us your first impressions.


message 2: by Sandra (last edited Jan 26, 2012 09:34AM) (new)

Sandra  (sleo) | 1913 comments Apparently no one's going to read this book? Where are all the people who voted for it? I have a copy - it's a graphic novel version - all I could seem to find online. It translates beautifully on my new Nook tablet.


message 3: by Amelia (last edited Jan 26, 2012 08:30AM) (new)

Amelia (narknon) I've always wanted to read this, but I won't be reading it with the group, not for a while anyway. I'm at the end of the Malazan series and that's basically what I'll be reading until I finish the series. I have seen and enjoyed the movie, so I'll watch the discussions and perhaps chime in if I can say anything pertinent to the discussion. From what I've heard, the movie doesn't exactly follow the book.


message 4: by Candace (new)

Candace  (cprimackqcom) I bought and am just about to start. I did not vote for it and I feel like this is something I should have read to my daughter years ago when I was reading C.S.Lewis and Madeleine L 'Engle to her. But im determined to read it because of all the good things I've heard about it. Will let you know how it goes...


message 5: by Anne (new)

Anne I read it a couple months ago and loved it.


message 6: by Elise (last edited Jan 26, 2012 11:01AM) (new)

Elise (ghostgurl) | 1028 comments I read it about 2.5 years ago.


message 7: by Joseph (new)

Joseph | 1651 comments I read it last week after it had been languishing on my shelf for about 20 years. Loved it.


message 8: by Sandra (new)

Sandra  (sleo) | 1913 comments Joseph wrote: "I read it last week after it had been languishing on my shelf for about 20 years. Loved it."

Want to lead the discussion?


message 9: by carol. (new)

carol. I didn't vote for it, but I re-read parts of it recently with another group and am always interested to hear about what other people think.


message 10: by Joseph (new)

Joseph | 1651 comments Sandra aka Sleo wrote: "Want to lead the discussion?"

I could probably do that, with a little help.


message 11: by Sandra (new)

Sandra  (sleo) | 1913 comments Joseph wrote: "Sandra aka Sleo wrote: "Want to lead the discussion?"

I could probably do that, with a little help."


Oh goody, goody! ::jumping up and down:: I'll help all you need! Just set up a few threads on topics you think are ripe for discussion. For instance, from reading a few reviews, it seems as though Beagle is building in some deep truths about life. Is this so?


message 12: by Joseph (new)

Joseph | 1651 comments It'll be an adventure . . .


message 13: by Sandra (new)

Sandra  (sleo) | 1913 comments Joseph wrote: "It'll be an adventure . . ."

:D


message 14: by Olga (new)

Olga Godim (olgagodim) | 85 comments I just finished it. I'm smitten by the writer's use of language. It's so lyrical, almost a poem, with some utterly modern, dry humor thrown in. Loved it! How had this book got past me for all these years? I'll definitely want to discuss it with others who read it.


message 15: by Helen, I·ᴍ ɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ ʟɪʙʀᴀʀʏ (new)

Helen | 3616 comments Mod
I didn't vote for it and not sure at the mo if I'm going to read it. I remember watching the film with my daughter years ago, we missed the last third as she was sobbing inconsolably. She was around 6 and still remembers crying.


message 16: by Sandra (new)

Sandra  (sleo) | 1913 comments Helen wrote: "I didn't vote for it and not sure at the mo if I'm going to read it. I remember watching the film with my daughter years ago, we missed the last third as she was sobbing inconsolably. She was aroun..."

Awww. Poor thing! My sister was like that about Bambi. My mother had to carry this screaming child out of the theater.


message 17: by Helen, I·ᴍ ɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ ʟɪʙʀᴀʀʏ (new)

Helen | 3616 comments Mod
Don't remind me! And Jungle Book, watched the end but would never watch again as Baloo died. Kept pointing out he was okay but she didn't care.


message 18: by Tish (new)

Tish | 46 comments I'm planning to read The Last Unicorn but have a couple of other books in line before it.


message 19: by carol. (new)

carol. Olga wrote: "I just finished it. I'm smitten by the writer's use of language. It's so lyrical, almost a poem, with some utterly modern, dry humor thrown in. Loved it! How had this book got past me for all these..."

I agree! When I re-read, I was struck at times how simplistic some of it seemed, but realized it was perfect. It's really more of a novella. It occurs to me now he could have lengthened it by using more description and maybe inserting another scene, but I feel like that might not do it justice.


message 20: by Eli (new)

Eli | 20 comments I've got a friend that's crazy about unicorns, she owns the book and she's always telling me to read it.

Now I have a perfect excuse to ask her to lend it to me :)


message 21: by Barbm1020 (new)

Barbm1020 Great style, great story line, unforgettable characters, and the movie (animated) has a wonderful theme song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fEIXUN...


message 22: by Katy (new)

Katy (kathy_h) Read this book several years ago.
Worth the read.


message 23: by Shannon (new)

Shannon It's long been a favorite of mine. And I actually remember the movie being fairly close with one or two minor differences. I'll have to recompare. :D


message 24: by Katy (new)

Katy (kathy_h) Shannon wrote: "It's long been a favorite of mine. And I actually remember the movie being fairly close with one or two minor differences. I'll have to recompare. :D"

Never saw the movie, I'll have to put it on my NetFlix que!


message 25: by Jeffery (new)

Jeffery Moore (jffjemoo) Seen the movie at least a dozen times with my daughters. Love it. Going to get the book now and read. I'm new to the group and looking forward to all the perspectives.


message 26: by Kara (new)

Kara (sterlink) One of my all time favorites, it holds a dear place in my heart and history.

=)

Will peak in now and again to discuss... enjoy the read!


message 27: by Caitrin (new)

Caitrin (literarydependent) Didn't vote for it but I'm waiting for my copy at the library to come in and will definitely read and try and get involved in the discussions somewhat.


message 28: by Max (new)

Max I am currently reading it (~40 pages in) and so far I am a bit underwhelmed with it. I can see why people would like the writing style, it's just that I like other forms of lyrical writing (Hi there, Pat Rothfuss). I will keep reading it, since it's a fairly quick read (150 pages or so), but so far I am not that much into it.


message 29: by Kelley (new)

Kelley Max wrote: "I am currently reading it (~40 pages in) and so far I am a bit underwhelmed with it. I can see why people would like the writing style, it's just that I like other forms of lyrical writing (Hi ther..."

That is an interesting comment, as Pat lists The Last Unicorn as his favourite book.


message 30: by Max (new)

Max Kelley wrote: "That is an interesting comment, as Pat lists The Last Unicorn as his favourite book."

Yeah, I know, and I can't really pin down what is so different about them. Maybe it's just my reluctance to accept the character of the unicorn, or maybe it's because rothfuss describes other things (The Unicorn mostly describes people or animals, and sometimes thoughts of others, while Pat describes feelings, scenery and music), or maybe it has a completely different reason.

I don't claim to understand why, but I like Pat's style way better.


message 31: by Jon (last edited Jan 30, 2012 01:04PM) (new)

Jon (jonmoss) | 529 comments I read this for Beyond Reality in October 2010. I won't be re-reading it, but I may join in the discussion. Click here for my short review.


message 32: by Flint (new)

Flint I found this book incredibly boring. I can barely remember anything about it despite the fact that I only read it less than a year ago.


message 33: by Catherine (new)

Catherine | 17 comments I read it in December thinking we wouldn't be reading it and it reminded me of the movie that I watched over and over again as a kid.


message 34: by Ashley (last edited Jan 30, 2012 08:08PM) (new)

Ashley (lebenalles) I plan on reading this one. I try to stay away from comparing anything to Rothfuss...though it's hard to do when you're spoiled by one of the Greats. My goal is to let this one be what it will be all on its own, so we'll see how it goes!


message 35: by Anna-louise (new)

Anna-louise | 81 comments I'm finding it difficult to get into this book. It's readable of course but i think its far to lyrical for me. I think the book i've come from doesn't help getting into something different, considering how much i loved that i just want to read more of the same.


message 36: by Beverly (new)

Beverly Picked my copy up from the library today, thinking of reading it aloud to my daughter but the writing looks a little lyrical for her. I had never herd of the book or the movie begore this.


message 37: by Ashley (new)

Ashley V. I picked up my copy of the book today. I settled in to start reading it and I'm going to be honest it took me a little while to get into it. You really have to get use to the lyrical language at first. But as the story and journey gets more active, I believe it's going to turn out really well.


message 38: by Anatha (new)

Anatha (anatha_bananatha) I've never seen the movie and I'm happy to get over my aversion to uniorns that I developed as I was growing up (I thought unicorns were "girly" and typically avoided most girly things, haha).

It's apparently critically acclaimed, though, and I've mostly heard only good things about the story itself and the way that Peter S. Beagle writes. I'm going to pick it up as soon as I can!


message 39: by Sam (last edited Feb 04, 2012 11:22AM) (new)

Sam | 33 comments I can't find an affordable copy in UK at the moment, plenty in US. Will read if I do.


message 40: by Helen, I·ᴍ ɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ ʟɪʙʀᴀʀʏ (new)

Helen | 3616 comments Mod
I looked for a kindle (UK) but there isn't one so don't think I'll be joining in.


message 41: by Margot (new)

Margot (freezebaby) Grew up watching the movie (love the animation and LOVE the music!). I read the book several years ago and may reread if I'm able to find time this month between other books. I picked up a copy from the library, anyway. And it is a short one, so hopefully I'll be able to sneak it in.


message 42: by Eli (new)

Eli Adelholm (eliadelholm) | 46 comments I have been meaning to read this one for a time and now, it seems, would be the perfect opportunity. It should be on the way with the mail.


message 43: by Tom (new)

Tom Kepler | 2 comments I haven't read it for many, many years. I think I'll pick it up tomorrow. I met Beagle maybe 30 years ago. He seemed like a nice guy. Having just written the script for The Hobbit movie, he said he should have charged more for the talk. He was wearing brown corduroy pants in which the zipper had broken. Funny what you remember . . .


message 44: by Christina (new)

Christina (theowlreview) I just started reading it yesterday, and am about 100 pages in or a little more (I forget).

I know everyone loves this book to pieces, but so far I'm not really sold on it.... it's not grabbing me at all...which is a little disappointing to me really. I wanted to love it. Maybe I still will. Perhaps I wasn't in the right mood yesterday to absorb how it jumps in.


message 45: by Amanda (new)

Amanda It took me a while to get into the book but by the end I very much enjoyed it. It just takes a little bit to get started and for me the writing style was different than the fantasy I normally read. Very good book though in my opinion


message 46: by Cheryl (last edited Feb 21, 2012 09:41AM) (new)

Cheryl Hager (cheryl_is_reading) I waiting to get through ILL at my library...hopefully before the month is out. I've never heard of it, nor have I read anything by Beagle.

Update 2/21/12
My library misplaced the ILL for this book and now I won't be able to get it in time to read it this month.


message 47: by Eric (new)

Eric (rethinkef) | 10 comments i'm going to finish this book up tonight. i checked it out at my favorite library in Maplewood, Misslouri. it is gorgeously written. i love that when the unicorn walks by, the toads stop breathing as she passes. how cool. this book really personifies the enchantment it describes. i'm so grateful you guys made it the book of february.


message 48: by Bryanruss (new)

Bryanruss Hi, I just joined the group and have firmly placed this book on my 'to read' list. Loved the film as a kid so will be a real moment of nostalgia reading this.


message 49: by Sam (new)

Sam (samriddler) Hmm... i've had a second-hand copy of this book sitting on my shelf for years, and i don't think i've ever opened it. Is it a childerns/YA book, or is it aimed at an adult audience?... Anyway, i figured i should pick it up and read it soon, seeing as it's the book-club book.


message 50: by mark (new)

mark monday (majestic-plural) | 55 comments i enjoyed my reread of this one. i had my issues with it but overall it hit the spot. not sure if i would have ever gotten around to rereading it at all if it wasn't a group read (so, thanks group!)... it has always had a sorta special space in memory, and sometimes i don't like to mess with the fond memory of something.


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