The Last Unicorn follows the journey of a unicorn who discovers she may be the last of her kind and sets out to find her fellow unicorns. Along the way, she encounters various characters like Schmendrick the magician and Molly Grue, forming a group to free the unicorns from captivity. The story is described as a charming fairy tale that delves into themes of self-discovery, friendship, and the enduring power of hope and magic. The writing style is praised for its lyrical prose, blending deep reflections on life with moments of whimsical humor, creating a unique and enchanting atmosphere.
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Has Romance?
While the primary focus is not on romance, there are significant romantic elements, particularly involving the Unicorn's transformation and the relationships that develop.
From The Publisher:
"The Last Unicorn is the best book I have ever read. You need to read it. If you've already read it, you need to read it again."-Patrick Rothfuss, #1 New York Times Bestselling Author of The Name of the Wind
Experience the magic of Peter S. Beagle's classic tale about a lone unicorn's search for her kind-hailed by The Atlantic as "one of the best fantasy novels ever."
The unicorn lived in a lilac wood, and she lived all alone. So she ventured out from the safety of the enchanted forest on a quest for others of her kind. Joined along the way by the bumbling magician Schmendrick and the indomitable Molly Grue, the unicorn learns all about the joys and sorrows of life and love before meeting her destiny in the castle of a despondent monarch-and confronting the creature that would drive her kind to extinction…
Ratings (49)
Incredible (15) | |
Loved It (19) | |
Liked It (7) | |
It Was OK (5) | |
Did Not Like (1) | |
Hated It (2) |
Reader Stats (132):
Read It (49) | |
Want To Read (69) | |
Did Not Finish (1) | |
Not Interested (13) |
2 comment(s)
“for laughs, for luck, for the unknown”
Book was just okay, semi interesting story but nothing mind blowing
I picked this up as part of my YA-rereading project. Alone in her forest, a unicorn overhears a man say that there are no more unicorns in the world. To find out if she is in fact the last unicorn, she embarks on a journey to King Haggard's castle on the cliffs by the ocean, picking up companions and having adventures on the way.
The weird thing is, I'm not sure I've ever read this book before.
I mean, I think I have, probably sometime in my late teens or maybe in college. But as a child I saw the movie so many times that I have no memory of the book*. I wonder if it will override my reading experience again; I hope not, since the book has a tinge of sadness from the very beginning that the movie gestures towards, but never quite reaches.
A YA book about a unicorn, a magician, and a human woman; a prince who falls in love in order to become king; and a madman who sees his destruction coming and does little to avoid it; these would seem to be ingredients in a coming-of-age novel. It is, to a certain extent, but one of the things I love about it is the age of Molly and Schmendrick, who are both described as nearing forty, jaded, and worn-out. Molly understands the unicorn not in spite of, but because she is not an innocent virgin. Schmendrick becomes a true magician not when he believes in himself, but when he gives up. Beagle's wry humor and pessimism edge towards nihilistic at times. But ultimately, it is Molly and Schmendrick's new beginnings, long after most characters are expected to succeed in fairytales, that gives the story hope.
*True story: as a child I spoke on the phone with the actress who played Molly in the movie. It remains perhaps my greatest brush with celebrity (although I once saw Kevin Pollack in an airport).
What can you read after
The Last Unicorn?
About the Author:
Peter S. Beagle, a World Fantasy Award nominee, is the bestselling author of the fantasy classic The Last Unicorn as well as many other highly acclaimed works. His novels and stories have been translated into sixteen languages worldwide, and his…
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