The Last Unicorn

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Summary: The Last Unicorn-a wonderful fantasy tale
Review: The Last Unicorn is wonderful fantasy tale for children and adults alike. Although no longer carried by most libraries, the book is still a wonderful tale to read and re-read many times over. Written by Peter S. Beagle, "The Last Unicorn" gives one a sense of viewing another time and place seperate from the outside world yet within the minds of us all. Being the only Unicorn in the world gives her a quest: to find what happened to others of her kind. She becomes mortal for a brief period, and is the only unicorn that has ever loved a human being for more than a short time. During her quest she meets King Haggard, who is never happy except when he sees the unicorns he has had the Red Bull (some say the Devil himself) capture them all and imprison them within the sea. Molly Grue, an old yet still pure maiden, joins the quest early on and points Schemdrick the clumsy yet powerful Magician, a person who is under a spell to remain immortal until he has become a true wizard. Molly becomes a valuable

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Summary: A true gift from the Magic of words and of course, Unicorns.
Review: Words fail to describe the powerful emotions innate in Beagle's rendering of The Last Unicorn. Only by putting aside all else and losing oneself to the passionate joy and deep sorrow of one of the most loved "fantasy" beings of all time can one even begin to comprehend the meaning of love and friendship, as well as loss. This - dare I say - epic tale of a Unicorn's journey through distant lands and great troubles to revive her lost comrades brings tears to any eyes that fall upon it. Her tragic realization of loss and the determination only a true immortal could have in overcoming it draws one deep into the story as it unfolds and draws the soul closer to itself... The lessons all the characters must learn -- the youthful, bumbling would-be magician, the woman who seeks happiness, even the so-called antagonists -- are those everyone learns and yet so poignantly put that one cannot help but to feel as if it were they galloping across many many miles and taking each loss and each gain to their own hearts

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Summary: A subtle kind of magic makes this a gorgeous read.
Review: This is the book that made Peter Beagle famous among readers of fantasy. There was merchandising, stuffed animals, an animated movie-- in short, it became an industry. But is the book at the heart of this worth the attention? Yes, it certainly is. On the surface of it, The Last Unicorn is a simple story about a unicorn who wants to find the others of her kind. Along the way, she meets an inept magician, an old but kindly spinster, and even a heroic prince. She also spends some time as a human. But the story is told in words as shining and subtle as starlight, the author making his overused character types into almost Jungian people who will be instantly recognizable to anyone. Even the unicorn is made somewhat human by the fact that she can cry. Some parts of the story are also very funny as a sly parody of Robin Hood and other legends of that type. Now that it is also available on cassette, it is worth any lover of fantasy's time

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Summary: No, no, listen, don't listen to me, listen.
Review: Peter S. Beagle's timeless tale of a unicorn searching for her fellow unicorns who is joined by Schmendrick, a magician who's slightly short of talent, and Molly Grue, a dedicated woman who finally meets the unicorn, but almost too late. As the unicorn searches for her friends she runs into many problems along the way, not the least of which is the Red Bull, who's mission is to track down all the unicorns and bring them to King Haggard. Schmendrick, in one of his rare bursts of true magic, turns the unicorn into a human, narrowly escaping the trap of the red bull. From there it's a race against time, and the heart, to turn the lady Amalthea back into a unicorn and to find the rest of the missing unicorns. An enthralling read, I'd reccomend it to anyone, young, old or in between. Love, excitement, danger, deception, it's all here. Enjoy

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Summary: One of the best fantasy novels ever written.
Review: The world's last unicorn, discovering that she is alone, sets out on a quest to find her lost brethren. On the way, she picks up a couple of companions: a failed magician and a tough-minded robber wench. At the end of the long road they'll find a castle built by a witch, a town with a curse on it, a dark King, a hopeful Prince, and an allegorical monster. Funny, sad, beautifully written, this is a fantasy that can be read and enjoyed by young folks and adults alike. I have gone back to it six or seven times over the last twenty years, and always found something new to enjoy. Very very highly recommended

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Summary: An enchanting spellbinding novel every one should read.
Review: The Last Unicorn is a magical book that allows your imagination to dift into an enchanting world. The discripions used within the pages are so poetic and lovely you feel light and airy as you read them- as if you were really there. The words are so choice and fitting, and spun with such beauty, I found it impossible to put down. One's yearning for unicorns is either satisfied or awakened, and the grace and charm of the animal spellbinds you. I cannot describe how I wish everyone had the privilige to read this novel and be captured within its spell

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Summary: "Anything can happen in a world that holds such beauty."
Review: It's just like Molly said to Cully, "You have it backward. There's no such person as you, or me, or any of us." Molly Grue and Schmendrick are real, and we are the legends. Thats the way you feel when you're reading this book. I remembered the movie faintly from when I was a child, mainly the nightmares that the Red Bull gave me, and I was wandering through the shelves of the local library and this book jumped out at me. As I looked at its spine I could vaguely remember one line from the movie. "They passed down all the roads long ago, and the Red Bull ran close behind them and covered their footprints." And so of course I checked it out and preceeded to read what I feel is the second greatest fantasy novel I've ever read (right behind Michael Ende's The Neverending Story which you should also read). The descriptive language Beagle uses in this book is like poetry, and ther is always a slight hint of humor that floats around even when your heart is breaking for the amazing cast of characters. I won't try to describe the Molly or Schmendrick or Lir or the unicorn, for my words pale in comparison to Beagle's who makes it seem that she stands there in front of the reader in all her glory. This book is a must for anyone who calls themselves a fan of literature, and especially those who crave magic in their world. This book is beautiful.

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Summary: What insight!!
Review: This is the first book by Peter S. Beagle that I ever read and it remains my favorite. Beagle has such a beautiful talent to deict good and evil very well but also in such a light that you end the book with a renewed hope and beautiful view of life. I rarely read a boo more than once but I have read this book about half a dozen times and am about to read it again. The world just more beautiful when I read it and colors seem to become more vibrant. Any book that helps you look at life, even when it's a fantasy, in such a way that you see the bad but you retain that ope for the good and dreams seem possible is one I want not only on my shelf but several more copies to give out to friends and family.

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Summary: A literary masterpiece
Review: The Last Unicorn is one of my new favorite books. I would have given it all the stars in the sky if I could.

The characters had such depth and feeling that you feel like you've known them your whole life. It might be hard to understand if you haven't read the book (at least it was for me), but one sentance is beautiful, sad and funny all at the same time. I never wanted it to end.

Everyone who loves fantasy must read The Last Unicorn. When you finish it, you will never forget it.

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Summary: the perfect fairy tale!
Review: I am a huge lover of fantasy but this was just something else all together. It had traits of a fantasy but it was just so much better than just any fantasy novel. I love unicorns also which has something to do with why I just can't stop loving this story. I watched the movie when I was younger and if you've ever seen it you must read the book! You won't be sorry you did. It captures you and draws you in in a way I've rarely experienced.If your like me and love unicorns and fantasy this will quickly soar to the top of your list as one of your all time favorites!