The Last Unicorn (original 1968; edition 1991)

I read this in an omnibus of Beagle's work, [b:The Fantasy Worlds of Peter S. Beagle|11934|The Fantasy Worlds of Peter S. Beagle|Peter S. Beagle|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1287362518s/11934.jpg|14300]. I did enjoy it... But I didn't love it. I think it's just one of those books you have to fall in love with when you're young. If I had read it as a kid, it would have been magical. As an adult? Not so much. It was a well written and entertaining read though, so I'm going with two stars, "it was ok". ( )

I had never read the book before growing up, I had watched the movie and enjoyed it to some point... and been exceedingly creeped out at another. This book however, is pure magic. The characters, the scenery, the prose, lovely. I can see why this story has captivated people for generations and know it will continue to do so. I look forward to reading this again and again.

Favorite Scene: The songs of the butterfly :) ( )

Like many, I learned about The Last Unicorn from beloved author Patrick Rothfuss (Name of the Wind). This is his all-time favorite book, and he is constantly singing its praises. Since Pat's books rank among my favorites, it should be a no-brainer that I'd be a fan of his favorites too. Not so fast.

Beagle's prose is elegant and inspired so there's no question we're in the company of a master. Still, neither the story nor the characters ever captivated me, and that's what really matters. I suspect it's a taste issue for me. ( )

This is one of those books that I am sorry I did not read before - when I was a teenager and read [b:The Lord of the Rings|33|The Lord of the Rings|J.R.R. Tolkien|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1298411336s/33.jpg|3462456] and was captivated by [a:J.R.R. Tolkien|656983|J.R.R. Tolkien|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1199863358p2/656983.jpg]'s breathtaking world. That was the time when I fell in love with fantasy and it stayed my favorite genre ever since.
[b:The Last Unicorn|29127|The Last Unicorn|Peter S. Beagle|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1311704377s/29127.jpg|902304] would be perfect to read then. [a:Peter S. Beagle|1067608|Peter S. Beagle|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1198544926p2/1067608.jpg] writes so beautifully that you are at times confused and start thinking: 'Is this a novel or a very large poem?' There are no rhymes, but the descriptions and altogether feel of the story is so lyrical, that it does not matter.
Anyway, if I have read this book as a young girl I would give it a 5 star rating and praise it's beauty. Now, I find myself spoiled by new fantasy writing style. Where everything is dark and gritty and bloody and there is no good or evil, black or white - everything is grey. Yes, I blame mostly [a:George R.R. Martin|346732|George R.R. Martin|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1195658637p2/346732.jpg] but there are other culprits as well.
So what now? I liked the book, but could not get really caught-up in the story because everything seemed like a fairy-tale for kids (just for the record, it is not). It feels a shame to give it only 3 stars, because actually books is very good and has some very deep messages. In the end, I gave it 4 stars - for reminding me why I fell in love and started reading fantasy.

(As you can see, book got the better of me. I will stop before I start rhyming my description of plot and characters and my other opinions. If you are intrigued, and want to find out more - go and read the book. It's not big and it's definitely a classic that every fantasy fan should have on 'read' bookshelf.) ( )

Having just finished reading The Last Unicorn, I'm not at all sure what to say about it, or how I feel about it. I felt vaguely enchanted by it -- not in the sense of it being twee and sweet and Disney, but in the sense of it having a hold over me. I loved the writing, the richness of it, the strange and new descriptions, e.g. "the air hung shiny as candy" -- things that don't quite make logical sense, and yet, you know what they mean.

I loved the fairytale qualities interspersed with bits of humour, with funny references, like Shmendrick knowing how to deal with Cully because he knows his Anglo-Saxon folklore, and the reference to Child -- a reference I got: he collected a lot of Robin Hood ballads. I loved the bittersweetness of it, even with the humour, the way it doesn't come out fairytale-perfect.

I might have to come back later, and say more, when it's settled in my mind/heart. ( )