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The Last Unicorn is one of the true classics of fantasy, ranking with Tolkien's The Hobbit, Le Guin's Earthsea Trilogy, and Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland. Beagle writes a shimmering prose-poetry, the voice of fairy tales and childhood:
The unicorn lived in a lilac wood, and she lived all alone. She was very old, though she did not know it, and she was no longer the careless color of sea foam but rather the color of snow falling on a moonlit night. But her eyes were still clear and unwearied, and she still moved like a shadow on the sea.
The unicorn discovers that she is the last unicorn in the world, and sets off to find the others. She meets Schmendrick the Magician--whose magic seldom works, and never as he intended--when he rescues her from Mommy Fortuna's Midnight Carnival, where only some of the mythical beasts displayed are illusions. They are joined by Molly Grue, who believes in legends despite her experiences with a Robin Hood wannabe and his unmerry men. Ahead wait King Haggard and his Red Bull, who banished unicorns from the land.
This is a book no fantasy reader should miss; Beagle argues brilliantly the need for magic in our lives and the folly of forgetting to dream. --Nona Vero
From AudioFile
Peter Beagle reads an abridged version of his classic fantasy, first published in 1968. The story recounts the journey of the last unicorn to find "her people," unicorns who have been imprisoned by the evil King Haggard. This abridged version of the fable retains the texture and wonder of the original. The author gives a semi-voiced performance, skillfully conveying the emotional atmosphere of the story. Bridges of classical guitar music contribute to the mood of the story. Suitable for older children and young adults as well as adults, this production will bring this lovely story to many who missed the book. It's a classic of its genre and deserves a place in most audio collections. M.A.M. (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine
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