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The Last Unicorn

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Check link for latest rating. ( 118,672 ratings, 7,519 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
The Last Unicorn by Peter S. Beagle is a classic tale of a unicorn who embarks on a quest to discover why she is the last of her kind. Along her journey, she is joined by an awkward magician and a passionate woman, as they face challenges and discover truths about illusion, love, and identity. This enchanting story blends fantasy and a touch of melancholy as it explores themes of transformation and the search for truth.
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Format: Paperback / softback
$5400

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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you appreciate a classic fantasy tale imbued with lyrical prose, magical creatures, and a quest for identity. The story weaves whimsical elements with poignant reflections on love and loss, making it a captivating read for fans of enchanting, timeless adventures.

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Adults and children the world over have fallen in love with Beagle's timeless classic, The Last Unicorn. Now, in this historic publication, Beagle's richly inventive novel springs to life in beautifully rendered illustrations that perfectly evoke the mystery and magic of one of man's favorite myths.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

The Last Unicorn by Peter S. Beagle is a timeless tale that transcends generations, combining elements of fantasy, adventure, and profound emotion. The story begins in a lilac wood, where the last unicorn resides, her days filled with the tranquility of nature's gentle embrace. Yet, haunted by a lingering sense of loneliness and the rumours that her kin may no longer exist, she embarks on a courageous quest to find her lost companions. Her journey leads her far beyond the boundaries of her forested home, into a world where myth and reality converge in unexpected ways.

Along the way, she meets Schmendrick, a hapless magician whose spells often go awry, yet whose heart is as true as the magic he dreams of mastering. With them travels Molly Grue, a woman hardened by life yet tender with compassion. Together, this unlikely trio encounters both the whimsical and the perilous, navigating realms of human complexity and long-forgotten magic. As the unicorn confronts the enigmatic Red Bull and the melancholy King Haggard, she discovers the bittersweet nature of mortality and love.

Beagle's narrative is imbued with a lyrical beauty, effortlessly invoking a sense of wonder and nostalgia that speaks to both the young and young-at-heart. His masterful storytelling captures the dichotomy of joy and melancholy, offering perspectives on what it means to find one's place in a world that seems continually to shift and change.

This special edition includes a new introduction by Patrick Rothfuss, celebrating the enduring legacy of a novel that The Atlantic has hailed as “one of the best fantasy novels ever.” Through Beagle's eloquent prose, readers are invited to explore a fantasy realm alive with timeless themes and poignant wisdom, making The Last Unicorn a crucial addition for any lover of literature. Experience this classic anew and join the legions who have been enchanted by its enduring magic.

“Peter S. Beagle illuminates with his own particular magic.”—Ursula K. Le Guin

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Reviews praise Peter S. Beagle's The Last Unicorn for its imaginative intensity and timeless fairy tale quality. It is noted for its lyrical prose, whimsical humour, and philosophical depth, with some considering it among the best books they've read. Beagle's writing is often compared to literary greats, yet he is celebrated for his unique style and mastery of language.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780451450524

Publisher: Penguin Random House Australia

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 31 October 1991

Country: Australia

Imprint: Signet

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Weight: 250g

Pages: 224

Collections

Fantasy Fiction General Fiction High Fantasy Sci-Fi & Fantasy Tim's Picks

About the Author

Peter S. Beagle was born in 1939 and raised in the Bronx, just a few blocks from Woodlawn Cemetery, the inspiration for his first novel, A Fine and Private Place. Today, thanks to classic works such as The Last Unicorn, Tamsin and The Innkeeper’s Song, along with his forthcoming novel I'm Afraid You've Got Dragons, he is acknowledged as America’s greatest living fantasy author; and his dazzling abilities with language, characters, and magical storytelling have earned him many millions of fans around the world.
 
In addition to stories and novels Beagle has written numerous teleplays and screenplays, including the animated versions of The Lord of the Rings and The Last Unicorn, plus the fan-favorite “Sarek” episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation. His nonfiction book I See By My Outfit, which recounts a 1963 journey across America on motor scooter, is considered a classic of American travel writing; and he is also a gifted poet, lyricist, and singer/songwriter.

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