There are now two remarkable things that vividly encapsulate the astonishing power that friendships can possess.

One of them is "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan", a classic that showcases the depth and strength of the bonds between characters in a thrilling and action-packed adventure.

The other is Beagle's short story "A Dance for Emelia", which is equally powerful and incredibly moving. It is probably my absolute favorite in this collection.

In fact, if I were to rank them, they would be in the exact reverse of the order in which they occur chronologically.

I really don't know how I managed to miss Beagle's works while growing up.

Maybe if I hadn't, my perspective on life might be different, and I wouldn't be as bitter and cynical as I unfortunately am today.

These two examples serve as a reminder of the profound impact that great friendships and literary works can have on our lives.

I truly adored "Quarry" and "Dance for Emilia." They were captivating and engaging, pulling me into their unique worlds. However, when it came to some of the other stories, I found myself having a bit of a tough time getting through them. It felt like a bit of a slog at times.

Interestingly, I think I'm part of the minority who would prefer to leave The Last Unicorn just as it ended. There was a certain charm and finality to it that I really appreciated.

On the other hand, I would absolutely love to read a full book dedicated to the siblings from "El Regalo." Their story seemed so rich and full of potential, and I can't wait to explore more of their adventures and relationships in greater detail. I'm sure it would be an amazing read.

On a recent plane trip, I made a few choices regarding reading materials. I purchased a book at the airport bookstore and also borrowed two from the library before my departure.

As I settled into my seat on the plane, I began to explore the books. I found that I thoroughly enjoyed both of the library books. The stories they contained were engaging, the writing styles were captivating, and they held my attention from start to finish.

However, when it came to the book I had bought, I couldn't seem to get into it. For some reason, it just didn't have the same appeal as the library books. Maybe it was the subject matter, or perhaps the writing didn't resonate with me in the same way.

In the end, I spent most of my plane trip engrossed in the library books, while the one I bought remained largely untouched. It just goes to show that sometimes, the unexpected can be more enjoyable than what we initially thought.

Peter S. Beagle is truly one of my all-time favorite authors. He is perhaps most renowned for his classic fantasy novel, The Last Unicorn.

The short story collection, \\"The Line Between,\\" is likely to be of great interest to fans of that novel. It features a novella that serves as a long-awaited sequel. However, it's not just that. It's also an excellent sampling of Beagle's work, demonstrating his remarkable ability to capture a diverse range of unique voices and story styles, and even hinting at promising future works.

The collection consists of several stories. \\"Gordon the Self-Made Cat\\" is admittedly a pitch for an animated movie and feels a bit weaker compared to the others. \\"Two Hearts\\" is a poignant and lovely sequel to \\"The Last Unicorn,\\" leaving readers longing for yet another sequel. It's wonderful to revisit the familiar old characters and see their development.

\\"Four Fables\\" are short fables modeled after Aesop's, with morals tailored to modern sensibilities. The fables of the Moth, Tyrannosaurus, and Ostrich are more humorous, albeit darkly so, while the fable of the Octopus is surprisingly charming. \\"El Regalo\\" is an urban fantasy about a boy learning magic and his older sister who has to keep him in check and protect him. The sibling rivalry is one of the most engaging aspects of this story, which combines humor and magical menace delightfully.

\\"Quarry\\" is set in the world of Beagle's novel The Innkeeper's Song. I might have appreciated it more had I read that one first. \\"Salt Wine\\" is a nautical story about two sailors and their encounter with a merrow that brings them fortune and fame at a great cost. It's a well-flavored story, though a bit slow-paced but definitely worth the read.

\\"Mr. Sigerson\\" is not a fantasy story like Beagle is best known for, but a Sherlock Holmes story. It's nicely done in the style of Doyle, with Beagle's own unique flair. \\"A Dance for Emilia\\" is probably one of the best stories in the collection. It's a deeply emotional and even sweet ghost story that seems closest to the author's heart and it shows.

In all these stories, Beagle manages to write with a distinct voice for each setting and narrator, and he does it exceptionally well. He has the remarkable ability to inhabit the skin of his characters and capture their voice and style in every story, whether it's a fairy tale, a modern story, or a pastiche of another author. His imagination and his gift for seeing the ordinary in an extraordinary way shine through in every story, even the ones that aren't quite as strong.

Overall, \\"The Line Between\\" is well worth reading, despite a few stories that may be weaker or require familiarity with another of his works. Among the stories in this collection, I highly recommend \\"El Regalo,\\" \\"Salt Wine,\\" \\"A Dance for Emilia,\\" and \\"Two Hearts\\" (if you've read or watched \\"The Last Unicorn\\").

Running the gamut from traditional fantasy to Sherlock Holmes, this collection offers a diverse range of stories. There's a modern-day brujo who is only eight years old, adding a unique twist. The power of love and friendship is explored, showing its enduring and sometimes dangerous nature.

These stories are the work of a master storyteller, and they serve as the clearest proof of what a gifted writer can achieve. Even with the simplest of ingredients, such as a cat or a love letter, a runaway apprentice or a mermaid, a shapeshifter or a T. Rex, the writer weaves captivating tales.

Each story takes the reader on a different adventure, filled with imagination and emotion. Whether it's the magical world of fantasy or the mysterious investigations of Sherlock Holmes, there's something for everyone in this superb collection. It showcases the writer's talent and creativity, leaving readers eager for more.

I didn't read the entire work, but I did read the short story "Two Hearts" which serves as the sequel to The Last Unicorn.

From the moment I began reading, I was completely captivated. The story continued to unfold the enchanting world that had been established in the original. It delved deeper into the characters and their relationships, adding new layers of complexity and emotion.

The author's writing style was as magical as ever, painting vivid pictures in my mind and making me feel as if I was right there with the characters. The themes explored in "Two Hearts" were both profound and touching, dealing with love, loss, and the power of hope.

By the time I reached the end, I was left with a sense of satisfaction and a longing for more. I truly loved this short story and would highly recommend it to anyone who has read and enjoyed The Last Unicorn. It is a wonderful addition to the series and a must-read for fans.

Peter S. Beagle has an extraordinary ability that makes me shed tears frequently.

Ordinarily, I don't pick up books with the intention of crying, but when it comes to his works, it seems acceptable... I suppose?

This collection of short stories managed to move me to tears twice. Once was in "Two Hearts" (an epilogue to "The Last Unicorn"), and another time during "A Dance for Emilia." This latter story so exquisitely captures the length and depth of the grieving process that my heart broke several times.

Many of the stories in this collection reference other past Beagle works such as "Two Hearts" and "Quarry," potential future Beagle works like "el Regalo," and even some Sherlock Holmes fanfiction like "Mr. Sigurson."

I'm not certain about the status of those future works, but I eagerly await new words from this talented man. He showcases such a wide range, with beautiful poetry and subtle humor in all his stories.

Moreover, he understands the differences between dogs and cats and can write about both equally well. It might seem like a small thing, but it holds great significance for me.

Among this collection, "Two Hearts" was undoubtedly my favorite, although I admit to being extremely biased towards it. I also had a liking for "Salt Wine" because dark twists on mer-people tales are always engaging.

I tend to prefer the more fantastical stories over the more mainstream ones, but I can't deny the high quality of both. This collection is highly recommended to all those who enjoy short adventures into amazing worlds.

4.5 stars. This is a truly enjoyable collection. Having only read THE LAST UNICORN and a couple of Beagle’s similarly trope-fantastical stories, I was pleasantly surprised by the wide variety of genres and voices he can master.

From satirical and funny fables like “Four Fables” (I particularly liked the moral of “The Fable of the Moth,” and the overall story of “The Fable of the Ostrich”) to a Sherlock Holmes story “Mr. Sigerson,” from a seaman who sounds right out of TREASURE ISLAND and is instantly recognizable without being tired (the enthralling “Salt Wine”), to a brother and sister in a modern sitcom-like setting where the snot-nosed kid brother is a witch (“El Regalo,” with great characters and relationships but a plot a bit sparse for its length). The plots are mostly wonderfully inventive, though sometimes a bit thin on action.

The collection includes two novellas set in the worlds of Beagle’s other novels. “Two Hearts” is a sequel to THE LAST UNICORN (one of my favorites), and “Quarry” is a prequel to THE INNKEEPER’S SONG (which I’d never heard of but Beagle makes clear is his personal favorite). I was skeptical of “Two Hearts” at first, as it was written long after the original novel at someone else’s prompting. However, I was pleasantly surprised, especially by the compelling narrative voice of young Sooz (though her name was a bit distracting). The portrayal of the old characters was engaging, and while I’m still not sure if all the developments fit perfectly with the original, I was left with the same overall message and tone. I’d give it 4.5 stars. “Quarry” was interesting, with inventive and scary creatures, but the worldbuilding, plot, and characters seemed to gesture at what was developed in the novel rather than building on their own. It doesn’t stand alone well, which was frustrating. I’ll probably read THE INNKEEPER’S SONG at some point, but the story’s clear dependence on prior knowledge and Beagle’s constant mention of it as his favorite made me a bit resentful. I give it 2.5 stars.

My favorites in the collection include “Salt Wine,” a wonderfully atmospheric story about sailors and mermen; “Mr. Sigerson,” an excellent Sherlock Holmes pastiche where the narrator actively dislikes Holmes in a believable way; “Two Hearts” for its engaging narrative; and “The Fable of the Ostrich” and “The Fable of the Tyrannosaurus Rex” for their unique fable qualities.

Beagle mentions in the introduction that he endeavors in his writing to maintain the balance on that fine line between fantasy and reality. This is precisely the reason why I have such a profound love for his writing. (Besides my lifelong addiction to unicorns.) This collection offers remarkable examples of his talent. The commentaries on the stories are truly fascinating.

There are fables that Beagle penned decades ago, a sequel to The Last Unicorn, and what he claims to be his most biographical story within the set. Cat lovers will surely delight in this; cats play significant roles in three stories, and they tread that same line that Beagle does. He accomplishes a masterful feat of anchoring his fantasies with practicality. His works have the power to transport readers to magical realms while still keeping them connected to the real world. The combination of vivid imagination and down-to-earth elements makes his writing truly unique and engaging.

I really enjoyed this short story collection as a whole.

To be honest, I initially bought it mainly because of the "Last Unicorn" sequel, which is "Two Hearts".

The mystery element in the stories was truly interesting. It provided a fun change of pace from the typical reads.

I already own "A Dance for Emilia" separately, and when I read it, I really liked it.

The collection as a whole offers a diverse range of stories that keep the reader engaged and entertained.

Each story has its own unique charm and吸引力.

Whether it's the mystery in "Two Hearts" or the beauty of "A Dance for Emilia", there is something for everyone to enjoy.

I would highly recommend this short story collection to anyone who loves good literature and a bit of mystery and charm.

It's a great addition to any bookshelf and a wonderful way to spend some leisure time.

We have a quality named

sweetness

which you are probably familiar with. The good thing about it is that the amount of its smallness and largeness can be shown in its pronunciation. In my opinion, the writer of the bagel

sweeeeeeeeet

especially when there were also a few Spanish pieces in it.

I'm not exactly sure why I deducted a star from it. Maybe because according to its summary

I had different expectations from it. Or I didn't like its switch from the real to the fantasy city. But overall, the story was very good.

Merged review:

It's even harder. It's hard to read a bagel story and not like it and not be fond of it.

The Last Unicorn short was truly great. It had elements that captured the imagination and engaged the reader.

However, the whole book was unfortunately marred by the so autobiographical story that ended the volume. This particular kind of fiction seems to take on the worst qualities of both autobiography and fiction.

It lacks the integrity and self-reflection that one would expect from a true autobiography. A genuine autobiography delves deep into the author's life experiences, offering honest insights and a thorough examination of oneself.

On the other hand, it also lacks the catharsis and imaginative power of true fiction. True fiction has the ability to transport the reader to another world, to evoke strong emotions, and to present a unique and engaging narrative.

Instead, what we get is a touched-up memory that lacks both of these essential qualities. It ends up as a rose-tinted mishmash, a confused and unsatisfying blend of fact and fiction that fails to truly resonate with the reader.

Overall, while the short story was promising, the inclusion of the autobiographical element in the way it was presented detracted from the overall quality of the book.