This collection of short stories is truly a gem. It encompasses two of my all-time favorite short stories.

"A Dance for Emilia," which is the last story in the collection, is simply tremendous. It takes the reader on a captivating journey filled with emotions and vivid imagery.

Then there is "Two Hearts," the coda to Beagle's "The Last Unicorn." This story is brilliant, adding another layer of depth and wonder to the already enchanting world of "The Last Unicorn."

Beagle has a remarkable talent for delving into the fantasy world again and again. However, what makes his works truly special is that his worlds are our own in more ways than one. They explore the human condition, love, loss, and the power of imagination.

Do yourself a favor and first read "The Last Unicorn" to fully immerse yourself in Beagle's magical universe. Then, pick up this book and savor each story, but make sure to save "Two Hearts" until last for a truly unforgettable experience.

Short stories, both old and new, by a classic author who simply doesn't write enough.

If you young people have only seen The Last Unicorn in its cartoon form, you truly need to read the book.

Beagle admits that he is "on the books as being a fantasist," but he feels that "one of the few really nice things about growing old is that a whole lot of stuff stops mattering...categories among them."

There is a wonderful sequel to "The Last Unicorn." "Four Fables" are incredibly funny, and the preface made me laugh. Fables... "tend to suggest a dark - even cynical - view of the human condition, but then it has always seemed to me that fables and fabulists mostly do that. Aesop was lynched, after all, according to Herodotus."

Finally, this collection contains my favorite Beagle short story, "A Dance for Emilia." Perhaps it's because I'm a cat person, but for a cat to be possessed by the spirit of a departed love, for one last dance, is touching, as is the ending which appeals to my Buddhist heart. The story beautifully captures the essence of love and loss, and the idea that even in the most unexpected ways, love can find a way to endure.

Beagle's writing is truly a joy to read, and these short stories are a testament to his talent and creativity. Whether you're a fan of fantasy or simply looking for a good read, these stories are sure to delight.

Peter Beagle is an outstanding writer, despite the fact that not every story in this book was to my taste. His writing style is exquisite, filled with magnificent descriptions. These stories encompass a diverse range of elements such as wit, charm, adventure, magic, reality, and everything in between. Even those stories that I didn't completely love, I still found them engaging and worthy of my time.

Gordon, the Self-Made Cat, was a delight. It was both humorous and highly creative, and I adored the concept. I truly hope that Beagle decides to expand this into a larger story in the future.

Two Hearts was the very reason I purchased this book. It serves as a wonderful sequel to The Last Unicorn, and I find myself loving it more with each reading.

Four Fables were uproariously funny and held a grain of truth. They inspired me to pen fables of my own, as they were such a joy to read.

El Regalo took some time to capture my interest, but once it did, I was hooked.

Quarry has piqued my curiosity to such an extent that I now feel compelled to read The Innkeeper's Song. The interactions between the characters and the details of their backgrounds have intrigued me deeply.

Salt Wine, on the other hand, was an interesting story, but it was my least favorite. I simply didn't connect with the story or the characters, and it lacked the usual spark that Beagle's stories possess.

Mr. Sigerson had me initially wondering if Beagle would pen a mystery, and when it didn't unfold in that manner, I was pleasantly surprised. Although I thought it was a good story, I felt that Beagle didn't quite manage to capture the essence of Sherlock Holmes. It seemed as though he was too focused on writing the narrator, thereby overshadowing the true subject of the tale.

A Dance for Emilia held significance for Beagle, as I discovered from reading a bit about the back story. However, for me, it didn't quite hit the mark. I found the beginning of the story interesting, but it was rather odd for Beagle to write something without any fantasy elements. Once the "magic" did enter the story, I felt it was overly fantastical and didn't blend well with the mood of the rest of the narrative.

I purchased this book mainly because I had a strong desire to read "Two Hearts".

After reading it, I found that it was indeed a beautiful story. However, it wasn't my absolute favorite among all the stories in this collection.

Peter Beagle is a highly talented writer, and if you are a fan of his works, then this book definitely deserves a place on your bookshelf.

His writing style is unique and captivating, and each story in this collection has its own charm and appeal.

Although "Two Hearts" didn't top my list, it still left a deep impression on me with its vivid characters and engaging plot.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading fantasy and short stories.

It's a wonderful addition to any book lover's collection.

"Two Hearts" is an absolutely incredible story. It combines adventure, joy, and melancholy in the same wonderful way that made The Last Unicorn the true masterpiece it is.

I first had the pleasure of reading this story in Fantasy & Science Fiction magazine. Such was its impact that I immediately bought the book based on the strength of that one story.

The other stories in the book are also quite enjoyable. However, most of them don't quite reach the level of being true gems or showstoppers. There is, however, a notable exception. "A Dance For Emilia" is a truly remarkable piece. It vividly paints a powerful portrait of a fantastic person. This individual's life is overshadowed by the knowledge that his dancing will never quite be what he desires it to be. It is a rich and brilliant story that adds another layer of depth and beauty to the collection.

Overall, the book is a great read, with "Two Hearts" and "A Dance For Emilia" standing out as particularly outstanding contributions.

I'm truly and deeply disappointed by this collection.

Almost every single story within it seems more like a mere pitch for novels. It's as if the author is saying, "Hey, you like this story? Then give me some money and I'll write an entire book based on it!" Maybe I've become too jaded, but Beagle's introductions to each story mostly follow a similar pattern. He often says something like, "Once I started this story, I knew I would have to create a full-length work about it at some point."

Thankfully, there are a couple of really good stand-alone pieces, such as "Salt Wine." However, the rest of the stories were rather too simplistic and overly reliant on other previously written works. This lack of originality and depth makes the collection as a whole feel somewhat underwhelming and unfulfilling.

It's a shame, really, because there was potential here, but it seems to have been largely squandered.

This is a great collection of vivid short stories.

Each story within this collection is like a small gem, shining with its own unique charm. The vivid descriptions bring the characters and settings to life, making it easy for the reader to immerse themselves in the story.

The authors have masterfully crafted these tales, using their words to paint pictures in the reader's mind. Whether it's a heartwarming story of love and friendship, a thrilling adventure, or a thought-provoking exploration of human nature, there is something for everyone in this collection.

Reading these short stories is a wonderful way to escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life and enter into a world of imagination and creativity. It allows the reader to experience a wide range of emotions and gain new perspectives on life.

This collection is truly a must-read for anyone who loves good literature and enjoys being entertained by engaging stories.

"El Regalo" was such an incredibly wonderful and refreshing story.

It had a charm and allure that made it impossible for me to put down.

From the very beginning, it captured my attention and held it firmly until the very end.

This is most definitely a tale that I would have a great desire to have my children read one day.

I can envision them being completely engrossed in the story, experiencing all the emotions and adventures along with the characters.

It has the potential to teach them valuable lessons about kindness, love, and the importance of giving.

I truly believe that "El Regalo" is a story that will stay with them and have a positive impact on their lives.

What can I say about Peter S. Beagle? He is an extraordinary writer who constantly manages to astonish me. For some inexplicable reason, whenever I commence reading one of his stories, I never anticipate enjoying it as much as I ultimately do. This occurred with numerous stories in this book. He has a unique way with words that is entirely his own and is truly magical.

I'll begin with "Two Hearts" as it was the impetus for my purchasing this book. "Two Hearts" is the sequel to "The Last Unicorn," and I delved into it with unrestrained enthusiasm, clearly longing to return to that enchanting world. It did not disappoint. In fact, upon its conclusion, I was at a loss as to what to do with myself. It touched me in profound ways that few stories can, and I was an emotional wreck. Well, perhaps not a complete wreck, but let's just say I was immobilized for a while, simply holding the book in my arms, inundated with emotions that defied description. "Two Hearts" was achingly beautiful, humorous, and deeply sorrowful all at once, and how many stories can claim such a feat?

As for the remaining stories, "Gordon, the self-made cat" is an incredibly enjoyable tale about a mouse who decides he can be anything he desires, and what he wants is to be a cat, so he enrolls in Cat School to fulfill his dreams. I'm eager to read this story to my nephews. "Four Fables" - I can only speak highly of the last of these four fables; the first three did not appeal to me. So, "The Fable of the Octopus," the fourth one, is among the finest short stories I've ever read. It's a profound, philosophical, witty, ironic, and humorous account of an octopus's search for God. It's truly excellent. "El Regalo" is a great story about an older sister and an irritating little brother who turns out to be a witch. It's both hilarious and spooky at the same time. "Quarry" was the only story I didn't particularly care for (aside from the first three fables of "Four Fables"). It appears to be about how two characters from "The Innkeeper's Song" met, and perhaps it's because I haven't yet read that book, but I wasn't overly engaged by the story. Nevertheless, the emotional depth Beagle attains in some scenes moved me, and I couldn't help but applaud his skill and imagination. "Salt Wine" - when I first started reading it, for the initial couple of paragraphs, I wasn't entirely sure. It's written in the first person, and the narrator's manner of speaking was a bit off-putting, but then he began to discuss mermaids and mermen, and before I knew it, I was captivated by his tale. It ended up being one of my favorite stories in this book. "Mr. Sigerson" - ah, a Sherlock Holmes story. It was thoroughly entertaining and witty. I thoroughly enjoyed it and was actually quite surprised. Beagle did an excellent job with this one. And the final story, "A Dance for Emilia" - as Beagle describes it, the most autobiographical piece he's ever written, born out of grief for his closest friend who passed away in 1994. As such, it's one of the most touching, even heart-rending stories in this collection. What more can I say? How could a story emerging from such tragic and personal circumstances not be great in the hands of a writer like Peter S. Beagle?

Another aspect I truly appreciate about this collection of stories is the little explanations he provides before each one regarding its origin. It significantly enhances the reading experience and is always wonderful when a writer shares the stories behind their stories.

All in all, this is an amazing read, filled with amazing stories and written by a genius writer. Go read them now.

Beagle is truly a master when it comes to incorporating magical elements into his stories.

He has this remarkable ability to make these elements seem not only natural but also crucial to the overall narrative.

It's as if the magic seamlessly weaves into the fabric of the story, enhancing every aspect and drawing the reader in deeper.

The way he presents these magical elements makes them feel like an essential part of the world he has created.

I find myself completely captivated by his work and am eagerly looking forward to reading more.

His stories have a unique charm and allure that keeps me coming back for more, eager to explore the magical worlds he has crafted.

I can't wait to see what other magical adventures and surprises he has in store for us in his future works.

It took me an incredibly long time to complete this collection of short stories. The reason being that I truly wanted to dedicate ample time and attention to each and every story within it. And let me tell you, it was most definitely well worth it. I have always aspired to write with such finesse and skill as demonstrated in this collection.

Most of the stories had such a profound impact on me that they either moved me to tears, brought out fits of laughter, or often a combination of both. It was truly a rollercoaster of emotions.

However, it is extremely hard for me to provide a good critical analysis of this collection. The moment I start reading a story, I get so completely and utterly lost in it that I can't even begin to fathom how the author manages to create such masterpieces. But I really, really hope that one day I can learn to write as seamlessly and beautifully as he does.

As for my copy of this collection, I might consider letting you borrow it. Maybe. But don't hold your breath just yet!

The Line Between is a collection of short stories by the author of The Last Unicorn. It's rare for me to be interested in short story novels. I read this collection mainly for Two Hearts - a sequel to The Last Unicorn. The stories cover a wide range of genres, making it hard to rate. Overall, most were underwhelming.

  

“She loved him too. That's why she let him go.”

Two Hearts was the first I read. Reading a sequel to a favorite after over three decades is nerve-wracking, but this one didn't disappoint. I loved seeing old and new characters. The author might continue with a novel and ended on a cliffhanger. I'm not happy about that, but I'll read the full novel if he writes it.

Gorden, the Self-made Cat is a silly, fun story like Stuart Little. Gorden is a mouse who wants to be a cat and becomes a top student at cat school. It has a good message, but I couldn't care for it.

Four Fables are four unrelated fables. They were somewhat fun but didn't hold my attention. The Fable of the Octopus was beautiful and touching, and I loved the moral of The Fable of the Ostrich.

El Regalo teases the possibility of a full novel. Angie discovers her younger brother is a witch. The characters are likeable, but it's a short teaser, so there's not much time to get attached.

I skipped Quarry as it's a prequel to another work I might read later.

Salt Wine was boring. A young man saves a merrow and gets a recipe for salt wine that makes him rich but has a catch. There was nothing surprising or interesting.

Mr Sigerson is a homage to Sherlock Holmes and equally boring. The plot was dull, but the characters were intriguing.

A Dance for Emilia would have been better without the fantasy or talking cat. An actor reflects on his life after his friend's death. I like stories of people looking back, but the cat killed the emotional value.

My opinion of these short stories is mixed. I wouldn't have read it without the sequel to The Last Unicorn. I'm not sure if I'll read them again, but they're not bad. It's worth a read if you're curious about Schmendrick and Molly.