4.5
I have an intense love for El Regalo. I am truly captivated by stories that center around family and the unique bond between siblings. However, what we are presented with nowadays is far from that. Instead, we are bombarded with garbage that consists of unreal teenage love and supernatural romance.

I happen to be an older sister with a little brother who can sometimes drive me absolutely nuts. But precisely because of this, I was able to connect with the story of El Regalo on a profound spiritual level. The relationship that existed between Angie and Marvyn was something truly special. It was real and it was lovely.

The beginning of the story had a certain charm that reminded me of the beautiful and enchanting "Song of the Sea". Overall, it was a really good read that managed to touch my heart and make me appreciate the importance of family and sibling relationships.

I am an extremely passionate Peter S Beagle fan.

Revisiting "The Last Unicorn" was an absolute delight for me. It not only brought back the magic and wonder of that enchanting story but also introduced me to other related tales that I had not yet had the pleasure of reading.

This discovery has now ignited a newfound curiosity within me, and I am determined to explore these unread books without delay.

I can't wait to immerse myself in the rich worlds and captivating narratives that Peter S Beagle has created.

His unique writing style and ability to bring characters and settings to life have always left a profound impact on me.

With each new book I read, I know I will be embarking on a thrilling adventure that will expand my imagination and deepen my appreciation for his work.

I am truly excited to see where this new literary journey will take me.

Beagle has a remarkable way of not only revisiting his old fictional worlds but also introducing entirely new ones. He does this with the finesse of a grand storyteller, making his writing stand out from the typical fantasy of today. Instead, it harkens back to the classic works that have withstood the test of time. In this book, most of the stories are just about 30 pages each, yet the characters feel incredibly well-developed and the settings are distinctly visual. It's truly refreshing to read fantasy that doesn't always revolve around beautiful royalty, faeries, or retold tales. I have come to love and always rely on Beagle for this unique brand of storytelling. His ability to create engaging and vivid worlds within a relatively short space is a testament to his talent as a writer. Each story is like a little gem, waiting to be discovered and enjoyed.

I don't think this was entirely bad.

However, it wasn't the quality I was anticipating after reading The Last Unicorn, and it's not really my preferred type of reading material.

One of the aspects that I adored about The Last Unicorn was the vivid descriptions that Beagle employed.

Regrettably, in this collection of his works, I found extremely few descriptions of that caliber.

Nonetheless, I did take pleasure in The Two Hearts.

I firmly believe that it has the potential to be an outstanding sequel to The Last Unicorn.

It holds the promise of continuing the enchanting story and captivating readers once again with its unique charm and engaging narrative.

Perhaps with further development and refinement, it could truly become a worthy addition to the literary world and a beloved follow-up to the beloved original.

I have an unwavering love for Peter S. Beagle's writing.

His works are characterized by a slow and gentle pace, which allows the reader to fully immerse in the story.

After "The Last Unicorn", his books seem to take on a more intimate and domestic tone.

It often feels as if he is somewhat overlooked in comparison to the grand works of Tolkien, Gaiman, and others of their caliber.

However, it is precisely for this reason that I feel compelled to recommend his books.

This collection of short stories offers a diverse range of his writing styles.

Admittedly, some stories resonate with me more than others.

Nevertheless, he has an extraordinary talent for creating an atmosphere with just a few words and constructing a world within a couple of sentences.

I was particularly drawn to the story of a big sister who endeavors to safeguard her little brother, who happens to be a witch.

I appreciate the way he subverts expectations in this concise plot description.

It also demonstrates his remarkable insight when it comes to developing his characters.

The way he portrays the love, annoyance, and protectiveness between the siblings makes me feel truly understood.

I would highly recommend this book to fans of high fantasy or magical realism who have a penchant for slow-paced storytelling.

I purchased this book specifically for the story titled "Two Hearts." However, to my great surprise, the last three short stories within it truly amazed me. Among them, "A Dance for Emilia" was particularly outstanding.

Peter Beagle is perhaps best renowned for his work "The Last Unicorn." Nevertheless, these other literary treasures that he has crafted also merit due recognition.

Each of these short stories is a unique and captivating piece, filled with vivid descriptions and engaging characters. They draw the reader in and keep them hooked until the very end.

It is a pity that they may not receive as much attention as "The Last Unicorn," but those who take the time to discover them will surely be rewarded with a wonderful reading experience.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys good literature and wants to explore the lesser-known works of a talented author like Peter Beagle.

Even if this is a story about witchcraft and magic in its essence,

it is a very lovely story about a sister and a brother.

Sometimes, you might feel like killing them, but the universal message of this story is, as Baz Luhrmann put it, "Be nice to your siblings; They are the best link to your past and the people most likely to stick with you in the future."

This story shows the complex and beautiful relationship between siblings.

Despite the presence of witchcraft and magic, it is the bond between the sister and the brother that truly makes the story special.

They may have their differences and arguments, but at the end of the day, they are there for each other.

This is a message that we can all take to heart, regardless of whether we believe in witchcraft and magic or not.

We should cherish our siblings and be kind to them, because they are an important part of our lives.

I truly relished this collection of short stories.

Was there ever any question?

Even that so-called "silly" story which was incorporated was exquisitely crafted.

The author truly knows the art of writing.

Each story within the book seemed to have its own unique charm and allure.

Some were filled with mystery and suspense, while others were heartwarming and touching.

The way the author was able to bring the characters to life and make the reader feel as if they were a part of the story was truly remarkable.

Whether it was the vivid descriptions of the settings or the engaging dialogue between the characters, every aspect of these stories was well thought out and expertly executed.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good read.

Once again, I find myself vindicated in choosing Peter S. Beagle as one of my all-time top three favourite fantasy authors. The Line Between is a remarkable collection of some truly glorious short stories. It even includes a worthy epitaph for one of my all-time top reads, The Last Unicorn.

Peter, your words have the power to move me to tears. They are like a golden bell hung in my heart, tolling with a beauty that is both profound and touching. I would willingly break my body to pieces just to read your writing.

Barry Hughart, Terry Pratchett, and when I was younger, Piers Anthony - these are also authors who have left an indelible mark on my literary journey. Yes, I know that's four, but I'm a reader, not a mathematician. Each of these authors has contributed to my love of fantasy in their own unique way, and I am grateful for the worlds they have created and the stories they have told.

The Line Between is a testament to Peter S. Beagle's talent and creativity, and I highly recommend it to anyone who loves fantasy and great storytelling.

I have a profound love for Beagle's exquisitely elegant writing style and the captivating characters he creates. And in this collection, I was not let down.

Initially, I had a tinge of worry regarding "Two Hearts" as it occurs after "The Last Unicorn" which I hold dear. However, Beagle truly did justice to the book and its characters. Moreover, he introduced a new and fascinating character, the young girl Sooz, who serves as the narrator of the story.

I also had a particular fondness for "El Regalo" (which Beagle has plans to expand into a full novel), a tale about a young witch and his sister. Additionally, "Salt Wine" was a haunting narrative that delved into the lives of sailors, mermen, and the concept of fate.

Overall, this collection showcases Beagle's remarkable talent and his ability to transport readers into enchanting worlds filled with memorable characters and engaging stories. It is a must-read for any fan of Beagle's work or anyone who enjoys beautifully written fantasy.

It probably doesn't assist that I read this in bed. This implies that I would re-read the same page at least twice, falling asleep after reading a total of two pages. Consequently, I only manage to read one new page each night. However, I must swear that it didn't help that Beagle has a tendency to repeat himself at the end of paragraphs. It's an obvious attempt to convey his point more forcefully. For example (not verbatim):... I told him what was going to happen. I told him, you know....

I would regard this as the laziest form of writing. If one is unable to reach the essence of what they wish to express within a paragraph, then they need to edit that paragraph to achieve this. Not just punctuate it, for goodness sake.

As I delved deeper into the stories, this became even more irritating. So, I quite liked the mouse tale and the witch/warlock tale (the fables seemed rather useless). But when I reached Quarry, that tale pushed me over the edge. Firstly, its premise is unclear. Secondly, because of that, you don't care about the protagonist. Thirdly, what house? What's strange about it again? Who's hunting them? Huh?

Everyone claims that The Last Unicorn is the best thing he's written, and perhaps I'll give it a try. But I have very little enthusiasm for it. Especially since his Two Hearts tale in this short story collection (supposedly a sequel to The Last Unicorn) was a whole lot of indifference for me. (And a double dose of confusion.)

http://tinyurl.com/2el6p7a

A couple of stories that didn't resonate with me, but the good outweigh the bad. There were a few tales that simply failed to strike a chord within me. Maybe it was the lack of connection to the characters or the plot that seemed a bit too convoluted. However, despite these few disappointments, there were still many aspects that were truly remarkable. The overall writing style was engaging and filled with vivid descriptions that brought the scenes to life. The author's ability to create a unique world and atmosphere was truly impressive. Even though those couple of stories didn't quite hit the mark for me, I can still appreciate the effort and talent that went into the rest of the work. It's like finding a few rough diamonds in a large collection. While they may not shine as brightly as the others, they don't overshadow the beauty and value of the entire collection.