The Last Unicorn

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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: 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!

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Summary: who will like this book?
Review: In reading other reviews, I noticed that the 5 star reviews got their analyses right on the mark, while many 1 star reviews were lacking any appropriate criticism.

One poor review said that the book could not decide if it was fantasy or parody. A parody, by definition, imitates another piece of work, and there is no other piece of work quite like this one. Peter S. Beagle simply knows what any good writer should know-- that a piece of writing will be boring if it focuses on one emotion or mood to the exclusion of all others. J. R. R. Tolkien and William Shakespeare knew the value of humor in a work which was not expressly written to be humorous, but it is Beagle who finds the perfect balance of humor and beauty in this novel which will take the reader through nearly every emotion there is. This is a book that does NOT make the mistake that all too many fantasy novels make-- taking themselves too seriously. The label "fantasy" does not have a set of laws stating that humor must be avoided at all costs.

That said, you will like this book if:
*you appreciate the amazing things that can be done with the English language.
*you appreciate the amazing things that Peter S. Beagle can do with the English language.
*you won't throw a hissy fit if the ending isn't perfectly happy.
*you like unicorns.
*you enjoy fantasy, but don't insist all fantasy be like Dungeons and Dragons.
*you are a kid at heart.
*you enjoyed the movie.
*you can appreciate a humor which is sometimes subtle, sometimes obvious.
*you like poetry.
*you're looking for story that was written to be perfect, not to sell, and then sell a sequel.

There is no sequel to The Last Unicorn, but at the end you will be wishing there were, not because of loose ends, but because the story is too beautiful to leave.

Rating:
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.