If you have a deep affection for The Last Unicorn, then you are bound to be completely enamored with The Line Between.

This remarkable work not only contains a short sequel to The Last Unicorn but also features other short stories that are nothing short of amazing.

The story of the mermaid, in particular, is truly great. It weaves a captivating tale that draws you in from the very beginning and keeps you engaged until the end.

The vivid descriptions and enchanting characters bring the story to life, making it a truly immersive experience.

Whether you are a fan of fantasy or simply enjoy a good story, The Line Between is sure to delight and satisfy.

So, if you haven't already, be sure to pick up a copy and discover the magic within.

Self-referential

Like you, I delved into this collection after reading The Last Unicorn. That novel was an absolute whirlwind, with each page perhaps being the best of the fantasy genre I've ever had the pleasure of devouring. It's no wonder then that "The Line Between" struggles to recreate the same rhapsodic majesty.

Most of these stories give the impression of being unfinished. This includes the highly anticipated "Two Hearts", which is ostensibly a sequel to "The Last Unicorn". While it was competently crafted, I was ultimately left unfulfilled by its brevity and lack of grandeur. There was a distinct absence of oddity and very little novelty. The story seemed to have strayed too far from its original foundation. Perhaps such steps were necessary to avoid a tiresome rehash.

To be fair, there are indeed sparks of magic within these pages. The story "Salt Wine" was one such example for me. It recounts a seaman's (albeit brief and former) business partnership involving the sale of a mysterious brew that has a terrible, morphogenic side effect. In the aftermath of discovering the byproducts of their product, one man acts with moral integrity while the other believes his sins are beyond redemption and continues without any hope of salvation. This story truly stood out from the rest.

Each tale is preceded by a brief introduction from the author, in which he recounts his inspiration for the pages that follow. At times, this was interesting, but at others, it felt rather indulgent. If given the choice, I would completely excise those passages. Literature is about interpreting the characters and situations to suit oneself, and gleaning the lessons that one can. By being overly self-referential, the novel makes it difficult to distinguish Beagle's intended meanings from those that I might have independently discovered. It has the effect of yanking the reader right out of the moment.

Technically speaking, I'm not entirely done with this particular one. However, given that it's a story collection, I'll surely return to it at a later time.

Of the parts that I've already read, my absolute favorites have to be 'Two Hearts' and 'Quarry'. Interestingly, 'Two Hearts' is either a sequel or a prequel (depending on how you look at it) to a previous novel, and the same goes for 'Quarry'.

At the moment, I'm delving into 'Tamsin', and as the summer progresses, I have a plan to re-read the enchanting 'The Last Unicorn'.

I'm really looking forward to exploring these stories further and seeing what new adventures and emotions they have in store for me.

Each story seems to have its own unique charm and I can't wait to uncover all their secrets.

It's like embarking on a literary journey that keeps getting more and more exciting with each turn of the page.

My opinion of The Line Between can be perfectly summarized in two words: Pure Magic!

This captivating work has truly left an indelible mark on me. From the very first page, I was drawn into its enchanting world, unable to tear myself away.

The story weaves a web of mystery and wonder, filled with unexpected twists and turns that keep the reader on the edge of their seat. The characters are vividly portrayed, each with their own unique personalities and motives.

The author's writing style is both elegant and engaging, making it a pleasure to read. Whether it's the descriptive passages that bring the settings to life or the dialogue that crackles with energy, every word seems to have been carefully chosen.

In conclusion, The Line Between is a must-read for anyone who loves a good story. It's a magical journey that will transport you to another world and leave you longing for more.

It still gets 4 stars.

The last two stories didn't quite convince me as much as I would have liked, but I truly adored the rest.

The final one was an extremely personal narrative from Peter S. Beagle. I do understand its significance, yet it didn't really click with me on a deep level.

The second to last story was the one he initially penned for a Sherlock Holmes (tribute) anthology. Since he didn't have full confidence in writing from Sherlock Holmes' perspective himself, he opted for a character nearby and set the scene in a place where Holmes is not well-known (and he actually refers to himself as Mr. Sigerson). It was a nice story, but it didn't really grip me and hold my attention.

In my opinion, the best story was "El Regalo" with the witch child Marvyn and his sister. It had a really cool storyline and was written beautifully.

The Last Unicorn sequel "Two Hearts" was also highly enjoyable. It wasn't as "fantastic" as the original, but that would have been an unrealistic hope anyway. Nevertheless, one could still sense the magic of this world once again.

I also greatly liked the inclusion of the four fables. It was a refreshing departure from the other stories and the things I typically read.

So all in all, I'm delighted that I was able to read the wonderful writing of Peter S. Beagle once more.

I've read a couple of Mr. Beagle's other works.

To be honest, at least for me, this particular one stands out as the best.

It is truly a wonderful collection of short stories.

Each story within this collection has its own unique charm and allure.

The characters are vividly brought to life, and the plots are engaging and captivating.

Mr. Beagle has a remarkable talent for creating worlds and scenarios that draw the reader in and keep them hooked until the very end.

Whether it's a heartwarming tale of love and friendship or a thrilling adventure filled with mystery and excitement, this collection has something for everyone.

I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys reading short stories and wants to be entertained by a master storyteller.

Overall, it's a literary gem that I will cherish and reread many times in the future.

I am usually never a fan of short stories. I always have this feeling that just when the story is starting to get interesting, it abruptly ends. However, this book completely changed my perspective on that matter.

Every single story within this book was truly amazing. They were all well-developed, with rich characters and engaging plots. It was such a delight to read each one. I specifically got this edition because it included a sequel to The Last Unicorn. That was already a great story, but there were two others that I liked even better.

My absolute favorite story of all was Salt Wine. It had a unique charm and a depth that really captured my imagination. What made this book even more special was that Peter Beagle himself explained each story, sharing his thoughts on why he wrote it and other interesting details. I loved every single minute of reading this book and would highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys great storytelling.

Peter Beagle is truly one of my all-time favorite authors, and there's a good reason for it.

He has this remarkable talent for taking an ordinary element and infusing it with something unique and extraordinary, thereby creating something truly beautiful and special.

Even when he adds this different twist, it never seems impossible to us. Instead, Peter has the ability to make us believe in his fictional worlds.

This collection of short stories is a prime example of his prowess.

I initially got this book because I had the opportunity to meet Peter at the Salt Lake ComicCon in September 2014.

This particular set of stories included 'Two Hearts', the sequel to 'The Last Unicorn'.

'Two Hearts' was a beautiful story that allowed us to reunite with our beloved characters from the original tale.

I once heard Peter say that 'The Last Unicorn' was a young man's story and he couldn't write the sequel as he was a different person now.

While this change is evident, it only serves to enhance the story.

I wouldn't have wanted anything to be different.

Other stories that I greatly enjoyed were 'El Regalo', 'The Quarry' (which made me want to get a copy of 'The Innkeeper's Song' as it's set in that world), 'Salt Wine', and 'A Dance for Emilia'.

'A Dance for Emilia' was particularly stunning and haunting, and it will stay with me for a long time.

It was very poignant and emotional, and I absolutely loved it.

This is an extremely literate and truly brilliant compilation of Beagle's short fiction.

The most well-liked story is "Two Hearts", which takes the reader back to the world of "The Last Unicorn". However, there are several other pieces that are equally enchanting. "Gordon, the Self-Made Cat" is a humorous tale that will strike a chord with cat enthusiasts. "Mr. Sigerson" is a clever Sherlock Holmes story. "El Regalo", a contemporary urban fantasy, is yet another very funny one. And "A Dance for Emilia", which concludes the book, is a profoundly touching exploration of friendship, love, and loss.

The other stories, such as "Quarry", "Salt Wine", and "Four Fables", which are more traditional fantasies, are also well worth your time. Beagle offers interesting and perceptive introductions throughout the book.

My only caveat is that many of the stories appear to be parts of larger wholes, and the reader should be acquainted with other works to fully appreciate all of the stories gathered here. Nevertheless, Beagle is one of the finest artisans the genre has ever produced, and his work is always a pleasure to read.

Two Hearts, the sequel to The Last Unicorn, is the second story in this remarkable book of short stories. It is truly a mighty fine read, just like the first story, Gordon The Self-Made Cat.

Two Hearts takes up the narrative a lifetime after The Last Unicorn concludes. It is told from the perspective of a young girl named Sooz, who lives in a land filled with wizards and griffins. This story offers a fresh and enchanting look into a world that is both magical and familiar.

The Line Between, on the other hand, delves deep into the exploration of the line between the imaginary and the real. It examines "the invisible boundary between conscious and not, between reality and fantasy... A line neither one thing nor ever quite the other, but now and eternally between." This concept adds a layer of depth and mystery to the collection.

The collection as a whole is a diverse assortment of modern stories. There are tales of witchcraft, hauntings, and even cats that can dance. When it comes to Beagle's works, it is easy to suspend belief. He is a master of language, with a wide and unique perspective on life. His stories have the power to transport readers to other worlds and make them believe in the impossible.

Overall, this collection of short stories is a must-read for anyone who loves奇幻文学 (fantasy literature). It offers a captivating blend of magic, mystery, and imagination that will keep readers engaged from beginning to end.

I obtained this book solely due to the story "Two Hearts", which is the novelette sequel to The Last Unicorn. Just for that story, it was well worth the price, and it is truly astonishing.

The other stories within the collection are also rather good - some are, of course, better than others. However, I regarded them as extras that were thrown in for free.

It's as if the author decided to give the readers a little something extra on top of the main attraction. And while they might not all reach the same level of excellence as "Two Hearts", they still add to the overall charm and value of the book.

Each story has its own unique flavor and appeal, offering different perspectives and experiences. Some might make you laugh, while others might tug at your heartstrings.

All in all, this collection is a great find for fans of the author or anyone who enjoys a good read. It's a wonderful addition to any bookshelf.

Actually, I just heard "El Regalo" on the PodCastle podcast (http://podcastle.org/2011/09/20/podca...). It was such a unique and quirky piece. The story had a charm of its own that immediately caught my attention. What I really loved about it was the dialog. The characters' conversations were so engaging and filled with personality. It made me feel as if I was right there with them, experiencing the events unfold. The way the dialog was written added depth and authenticity to the story. It was a pleasure to listen to and I can't wait to explore more of the podcasts on PodCastle.