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Summary: The Last Unicorn: The Last of the Literary Fairy Tales
Review: The Last Unicorn by Peter S. Beagle is one of the last, best fairy tales of our generation. It's a great read for an adult or a child; I first read it in fourth grade, and recently re-read it as an adult with no less sense of wonder or awe.It's an often tongue-in-cheek fairy tale about the last unicorn left on a Midaevil Earth, which unicorn represents (of course) the last of the immortal magic that is inevitably represented in good fantasies. The story is set in the usual quest setting, with the expected good and evil dichotomy and characters such as a bumbling yet powerful wizard, a good-hearted lass, a handsome hero, and, last but foremost, the beautiful and sorrowful, immortal unicorn. What sets this tale apart from others--it is most definitely in the same league as C.S. Lewis' the Chronicles of Narnia, or his more adult Till We Have Faces--is its flowing prose and often unexpected sense of humor. Beagle pokes fun at the fantasy form of story-telling (for the enjoyment of the adult reader), while not allowing the jibes to be too satirical or otherwise distracting from the beauty and grace of the story itself. While the tale stays within the traditional confines and plot of a fairy tale/fantasy, the characters are so well-written and the story so imaginative and well-told, the tale's traditional form only adds to its sense of magic. In short, it's one of the very best fairy tale/fantasies I've had the pleasure of reading (and re-reading). I unabashedly recommend it to the young and old with five stars.
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Summary: Greatest fantasy novel ever written?
Review: It certainly seemed that way to me. Very, very few novels have ever had the power to affect me in the way that "The Last Unicorn" did. It seems to start as such a simple tale, of the sort that's been told in fantasy or fairy tales so many times before...the last unicorn in the world sets out to find what has happened to the rest of her kind. Only...almost before you realize it, Beagle's magical prose has entrapped you and transported you to another place--a world of whimsy and magic and deep Truths. The characters almost come alive...save that there is a very real feeling that these characters have _always_ lived, deep inside of us, and it took this book to unlock them so we could see and understand them. To claim that "The Last Unicorn" is full of witty and insightful writing is almost to demean it by the very mundanity of the words. What should be said at the least is that the book is written on several levels, and is every bit as much about the nature of life and the nature of stories and fairy tales as it is about the story itself. Even Beagle himself says that "The Last Unicorn" holds some new surprise for him each time he returns to it. "The Last Unicorn" gave me many new things to think about, and perhaps subtly changed my views on life. Perhaps it will do the same for you.
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Summary: The best thing this side of Lord of the Rings!!
Review: Only very rarely does one come across a book that completely captivates the reader and takes him into its world so completely as this book does. I saw the film first while I was in school, and although I liked it, I didn`t expect too much from the book, even though its author had written the script for the film. But, what a revelation! I have been fascinated by many books, but only this one took me into its spell so much that I had to take it to school with me and keep on reading between classes... A must-read, if there is any such thing.
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Summary: Alive with dimension and fantasy
Review: This is a richly detail book. It glows with the feeling of lost remembrance and regret. The unicorn, all alone in her single existence, must learn to force change into the closed world in which she lives and Schmendrick, the fumbling magician must release his power as Nikos had forseen. The characters of King Haggard and Prince Lir show the opposite lives which can be lived and the different paths which can be taken. A truly captivating book with intense expression and depth.
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Summary: A True Classic
Review: Peter S. Beagle writes with such clarity and eloquence, that one sometimes doesn't recognize how truly brilliant his work is. He makes it all look too darned easy. As an author, editor, and fantasy reader for over 25 years, this book still stands out as being one of the best I've ever had the pleasure to read. For those of you who have only seen the movie version, do yourself a favor. Pick up this book now.
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Summary: this is an exquisitely-written story....
Review: This is, and always will be, my favorite story of all time. Yes, it's a faerie tale, but it is a story for ALL ages. Young people will love the whimsical characters and humorous situations, while adult hearts will be captured by the much deeper elements. (Some of the themes may go way over the heads of younger readers.) The characters, from the tiniest blue jay to glowering King Haggard himself, are fully realized, and expertly constructed. Also, this book has some of the most enchanting prose I have ever heard. Pay attention to Beagle's descriptions. It reads like a favorite song. Anyone who feels the way I do...feel free to write me.
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Summary: I loved it!!!!!!!!!!
Review: I have the movie and I wish I had the book. I have watched the movie a million bizillion times!!!!!!!! And checked out the book a lot of times. It is one of my favorite books! ****I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!****
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Summary: Quite possibly the most relevent book ever written
Review: This is definitely my all-time favorite book. I have about six copies of this book (and the tapes), and all of them are worn through with reading. Every time I read this book, I identify with a different character - each one is some part of me, some facet of my life that I need to explore periodically. Having said that, if anyone out there happens to read this and can explain the whole taco thing in the book, please e-mail me. Even if you don't have answers, I'd just like to meet other perceptive, frustrated TLU fans...
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Summary: Best adult and child-proof fantasy book I have ever read.
Review: 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.
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Summary: One of the finest fairy tales ever told
Review: After being plagued with nightmares of Celano the Harpy during my childhood years, after watching the animated version of the Last Unicorn, I was ironically hooked. Now, at age 19, the Last Unicorn remains my favorite fairy tale, both in book and video form. Where so many of today's animated films falter is their humor level. Disney's films, while great, fail to convey the urgency of the story. Not so with Beagle's story. This is a refreshing, and very dark tale, with humor inserted at proper intervals. Anyone who has read the book or watched the film, can't deny the fantastic imagery displayed and written about. It is this serious storyline about regret, courage, fear, greed, evil, and love that puts it above the rest, and contains themes unique to fantasy novels and films. Children and adults of all ages should read the book, or watch the film. It will enrich your life as fantastically as it has mine. Just make sure your child can handle watching the film! It's definitely a DARK film, be warned!
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