Rating: 
Summary: title
Review: Ok where do I start? This is an Awsome Book! But I want to say something about how cool the title is. The dragon represents the earth and the unicorn represents a sun beast and where they are connected i like to think is representing the fact that the dragon sacrificed quite a bit of it's power for the unicorn (even though they are enimies). The dragon also represents King Uther Pendragon through his flag and heritage, the unicorn also represents Ygrane Queen of the Celts through her flag and bonding with the unicorn, and the place the 2 animals meeton the cover i like to think represents also the marrige between Uther and Ygrane.
Rating: 
Summary: Deep Metaphors
Review: The author (as usual) uses the narrative as a vehicle for metaphysical and psychological exploration. The energy of the universe and the relationships underlying physical reality constitute the theoretical or metaphorical background of the plot.
Attanasio extrapolates from quantum physics, molecular biology, chaos theory -- all the "new" sciences, in fact
-- and various mystical traditions to create a sythesis of theory and metaphor that makes bold assertions about the nature of reality and consciousness. I wouldn't go so far as to call this book "New Age", but maybe "ageless" is
an apt adjective -- the issues addressed in the subtext are
definitely ageless in their importance and appeal.
The implications of the story are vast, yet the plot is engaging enough, and the characters and their motivations are rounded enough that it's an easy read. Most of the depth
of what is implied becomes the backdrop to what is, after all, one of the great stories. It's only in retrospect that
many of his meanings become clear.
This, in my opinion, is one of Attanasio's great accomplishments as a writer, visible to a greater or lesser
extent throughout his works; the ability to tell an engaging
tale in a way that also allows him to explore fundamental
questions about humanity and the universe we inhabit. His
writing is at once introspective and outward-reaching, and
his creative vision is unflinching in allowing us to behold
both the light and the dark regions of human consciousness.
While his visionary tendencies are evident in all of his work, they are especially evident in The Dragon and the Unicorn, Hunting the Ghost Dancer, and Radix (the first book
in a self-consciously allegorical tetrad). Indeed, I have to
admit that Radix is one of the few works of fiction I've read that have permanently altered my perspective.
I look forward to reading more of A. A. Attanasio's work, and would heartily recommend anything written by him. I was
surprised and disappointed to find that his books were not
*all* available through Amazon, and can only hope that this review prompts the management to ensure a more complete
representation.
Thank you, and buy the book!
Rating: 
Summary: The book is got too much going on.
Review: The reason I chose this book is because I love fantasy and science fiction. I also collect unicorns, so when I saw the cover I was immediately drawn to the book. I have to say that I got through about 30 pages before giving up. It had too much going on and was written in hard to understand words. I had to keep refering to the dictionary. I am by no means illiterate. I have a BA degree with a minor in English. The author needs to choose words that are less complicated. It made me feel uneducated. If it was written in easier to understand words, I probably would have loved it. I don't understand why everyone else gave it a good review. It was a total waste of my hard earned money.
Rating:
Summary: A facinating retelling
Review: The retelling of this popular legend is refreshing and innovative. This first book written in so much detail explains everything and gives fantastic reasons for the events within the actual legend. A Unitarian view combining many religions into a coexistence of characters from the Wiccan god Pan to Thor of the Norse beliefs. This along with the symbolic narration gives it an essence of ancient mysterious magic. I would consider this book an example of how a fantasy writer is artistic with his medium. I highly recommend it for those interested in a contemporary form of the Arthurian legend or simply an eccentric novel with twists and turns leading up to a unique philosophical outlook.
Rating:
Summary: Intriguing, with challanges
Review: The tales of King Arthur have seen many incarnations, from simple warlord to the ornately intertwined tales of Camelot. Conversely, tales of the Norse gods have been curtailed into (usually) simple retellings of the Elder and Prose Edda. In this book, the tales of Camelot, of the Norse, of the Celts, of history, mythology, cosmology and haigiography coexist and push each other around, each trying to achieve dominance. This is not an easy book to read. I don't mean "Finnegan's Wake" level of difficulty, but rather there is a lot of presumed knowledge -- you know many tales of Uther, Ygraine, Odin, Niggdur, and at least a passing acquaintance with figures of Irish/Celtic folklore. In addition, you are presumed to be literate and that you enjoy obscure words. If you can get past these hurdles, however, you will find an enjoyable and enriching tale. This is not a simple retelling of old tales. The tales are woven together, often clashing, sometimes melding. A few of the characters are what you would expect, but many of them have altered, strongly or subtley -- Merlin is, indeed, half-demon, born of a virgin, but the tale is not as simple as that; Furor is Odin, but with a different take on the invasion of Britain by the Anglo-Saxons. The Romans, Christians, and other historical groups and personalities have their roles, but it is often difficult to distinguish the history from the mythology. This is something I enjoy, but may bother others. I believe that a challanging read is a good thing. To merely find what you expect in a book can be tedious. Often this works pushes you to the limits, but keep a dictionary nearby and several books of basic mythology -- with these tools you will not become lost.
Rating:
Summary: A fantastic book!
Review: There is not much I can add to the pro reviews of this book other then it one of the best books I have read in some time. I would also like to add something that your mainstream reviews would not think about. I am a Pagan, and that is part of the reason I liked this book. I would recommend to both Pagans of all times & Christians. The author of the book was able to express the feelings of both religions while not disrespecting ether. No mean feat to say the least! If you have a Christian friend who just does not GET what you believe in, give them this book.
Rating:
Summary: insane man trying to sound smart
Review: This book has proven to me, never judge a book. By the cover, by the reviews, or even by the first few pages. No judging. "Tintagle at high morning shines as though carved from tusk". A random sentence chosen from the book. This man is insane. "A maid that bleets from indoors" "goat feathers" How many goats have you seen with feathers? And whats all this about "petal sized snowflakes". Off of what flowers? I kept waiting for a King Arthur plot to show up, but the Merlin and Arthur type characters seem to be entirely different people. I think the guy tried way to hard adding in all of these religions, and nutso words, not to mention it back tracks constantly and is frequently inconsistant with just about everything. He needs to have his pen taken away and broken into tiny pieces. In other words I was very dissapointed.
Rating:
Summary: A magical story more ancient than the universe.
Review: This book is wonderful! Its one of those books that you want to end, but when it does you'll wish it hadn't. It begins at the beginning of time and ends......well, you'll have to find out for yourself. And have you ever wondered where King Arthur was before Camelot? Or the origin of Merlin, Excalibur, the Round Table, and Camelot. This is the book that will tell you. It may not be completly true, but somewhat. And its written like a story, not a text book. Attanasio does a great job of telling the story in a flowing and poetic way. It will keep you reading until the very end. The beginning is a little slow but the rest makes up for it
Rating:
Summary: A descriptive, enchanting masterpiece.
Review: This book is wonderful. Mr. Attanasio possesses a unsurpassed vocabulary that comes in quite handy in weaving other worldly, enchanting, mythic-historical epics. The only gripe I have with this wonderful book is the beginning. The reader is immediately thrown into a nether world of mythology riddled with extremely "wordy" text. I dare say that any educated reader who makes it past the first twenty pages will be undoubtedly hooked. Yes, it is true that this is not the "easiest" book to read. As I said, Mr. Attanasio has a voluminous vocabulary and he uses it profusely throughout this tale. This is a fine example of how best selling fiction can indeed be literature. Anyway, if you want a book that will not require imagination, or knowledge to read, why not wait for the movie? And I think we all agree, Movies are the enemy!. This is a wonderful, literate and highly imaginative epic tale. Buy it now!
Rating:
Summary: Old Legends with a refreshing new view.
Review: This book uses old and much garbled Arthurian Legend as a basis for a bemusing and enthralling fantasy world. This book, however, is written mostly from the perspective of Merlin, the demon Lailoken incarnate. The magic represented in this novel is more plausible and seen as a natural thing which anyone can aspire to - thus creating a more believable storyline.This novel is very memorable in that it takes old legend and makes of them a wholly innovative and unprecedented idea (a godsend when so many writers are constrained by moth-eaten old works and their own imaginations).
| 
