I grew up with The Last Unicorn, and it has always held a special place in my heart. Naturally, I introduced it to my kids, and they too fell in love with it. Then, I discovered this book on paperbackswap.com and couldn't resist reading it.

Lila The Werewolf is a really strange yet cool story. Not everyone would be as calm as the narrator when finding out their girlfriend is a werewolf.
The Last Unicorn is about a beautiful, immortal unicorn who leaves her protected forest to search for others of her kind. She encounters a strange and changed world where no one recognizes her as a true unicorn. It's not until she is captured by Mommy Fortuna's traveling show and meets the misfit wizard Schmendrick that things start to change. He agrees to help her on her quest, despite the rumors of the fearsome Red Bull who has captured the other unicorns. I was delighted to find that all my favorite lines from the movie were right there in the original book. It shows Mr. Beagle's genius.
Come, Lady Death is a fascinating story. If you were an elderly, wealthy member of London society and got bored with extravagant parties and court functions, what would you do? Throw a ball for Death, of course! But getting Death the invitation and receiving a reply can be quite tricky. And what if Death actually accepts and shows up?
A Fine and Private Place is Mr. Beagle's first book. It's an odd tale about a man who takes refuge in a cemetery for 22 years, unable to face the world. His only contact is with the ghosts of the deceased, but even they fade away as their memories are lost. It reminds me a bit of Neil Gaiman's Graveyard Book.

Overall, these stories by Peter S. Beagle are unique and engaging, and I highly recommend them to anyone looking for something different to read.

The rating system of "4 stars for the last unicorn - 2 stars for the others" seems rather unique. It implies that there is something truly special and outstanding about the last unicorn, worthy of a higher rating.

Perhaps the last unicorn represents a rare and precious entity, standing out from the rest. Its qualities or characteristics might be considered superior, deserving of the four-star rating.

On the other hand, the other entities are given a two-star rating, suggesting that they are not as remarkable or have some limitations.

This rating system could be used in various contexts, such as evaluating products, services, or even works of art. It provides a clear distinction between the exceptional and the average, allowing for a more nuanced assessment.

However, it's important to note that ratings are subjective and can vary depending on individual perspectives and criteria. What one person considers a four-star item might not be the same for another.

Nevertheless, the "4 stars for the last unicorn - 2 stars for the others" rating system offers an interesting way to categorize and evaluate different things, sparking discussions and comparisons.

When I was sixteen years old, this was by far my favorite book.

It contains three wonderful works. The first one is The Last Unicorn, a captivating tale that takes the reader on a magical journey.

The second is A Fine and Private Place, which offers a unique and thought-provoking exploration of life and death.

And then there is the marvelous short story, Come, Lady Death. This story is truly a gem, filled with mystery and intrigue.

Together, these works make up a book that I will always cherish. It has had a profound impact on me and has shaped my love for literature.

Even to this day, whenever I think back to my teenage years, this book always comes to mind. It is a testament to the power of great storytelling and the lasting impression that a good book can make.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves fantasy, mystery, or simply a great read. It is sure to capture your imagination and leave you wanting more.

I can explain myself, after my "reading it slowly" comment.

It's truly a thing of beauty, A Fine and Private Place. It gently comes in and leads you along, step by step. As you progress, it gradually builds up on you, intensifying to the point of pain. And then you're left there, having to figure out what to do with it and with yourself.

And by "you" I really mean "me."

I found myself uttering, "Okay, do it. Get it over with. Pile all the beauty on me until I'm crying."

And indeed, it did, and I did cry. I swear, it's precisely what the novel is about, and it had that exact effect on me simultaneously.

There are other stories in this collection as well. The Last Unicorn, which I've read before, has the same impact on me, but in different ways each time.

Besides the two novels, there are two short stories. "Lila the Werewolf" and "Come, Lady Death" were both absolutely fantastic. I adore the details in the telling, the way things like werewolves and Death are accepted as if they were real people.

There are now so many dogears throughout the book that the covers are warped. What's the point of dogearing every page, Chy? Well, it makes me feel better. It's like I get to hold onto the beauty for a while longer, even after I've turned that page and am stumbling over yet more beauty as I continue reading.

I found "Lila The Werewolf" extremely interesting. It had a unique charm that kept me engaged from start to finish. The story was filled with excitement and mystery, making it a real page-turner.

I also really liked "The Last Unicorn". The concept of a unicorn in a world where they are thought to be extinct was fascinating. The characters were well-developed, and the plot was both touching and thrilling.

"Come, Lady Death" was another book that caught my attention. It had a dark and atmospheric tone that added to the overall intrigue. The story explored themes of life, death, and the afterlife in a thought-provoking way.

However, "A Fine and Private Place" didn't really do it for me. I found the plot a bit slow-paced and the characters not as engaging as in the other books. It just didn't have the same level of excitement and interest that the others did.

Overall, I had a great reading experience with these books, despite not being a huge fan of "A Fine and Private Place". I would definitely recommend "Lila The Werewolf", "The Last Unicorn", and "Come, Lady Death" to anyone looking for an exciting and engaging read.

This volume presents a diverse collection of works, consisting of two novels, a novella, and a short story. Therefore, I will provide a separate review for each one.

Lila the Werewolf is a rather strange and somewhat melancholy tale. It revolves around a young woman who, to the consternation of her boyfriend, occasionally transforms into a wolf. It serves as a prime example that just because a story is set in a fantasy realm doesn't mean it's solely for children. The writing is of good quality, yet it can be a bit disturbing to read.

The Last Unicorn is a truly marvelous book. I have read it previously and chose not to reread it this time, but it firmly remains one of my all-time favorites.

A Fine and Private Place is a captivating story about two ghosts, a raven, and a man who resides in a cemetery. It has a decidedly bittersweet tone, with touches of humor here and there, as well as elements of tragedy. It is a very introspective and atmospheric work - a "quiet" book, so to speak. I particularly liked the snarky raven. I found it odd that in a cemetery where people consider talking to ghosts a bit strange, no one ever remarks on how unusual it is for a raven to speak. I do wish there had been a bit more exploration of Laura and Michael, especially towards the end, but overall, it was a good read.

Come Lady Death tells the story of an old woman who decides to invite Death to her next party, and Death actually shows up. The ending left me feeling a bit indifferent, but otherwise, it was a decent story.

I read this in high school.

It was a collection of stories that mostly contained "A Fine and Private Place" and "The Last Unicorn". I had already read these two, but it was still worth the price (which I got at a used bookstore) to obtain the incredible stories "Lila the Werewolf" and "Come Lady Death".

"Lila the Werewolf" was a captivating tale that explored the themes of identity and transformation. The story followed Lila, a young woman who discovers she has the ability to turn into a werewolf. Her journey of self-discovery and acceptance was both thrilling and touching.

"Come Lady Death" was equally engaging. It delved into the concept of death and the afterlife. The story was filled with mystery and suspense, keeping me on the edge of my seat until the very end.

Overall, this collection of stories was a great find. It introduced me to new and exciting authors and expanded my love for literature. I would highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys reading short stories.

I had heard of The Last Unicorn and A Fine & Private Place from a couple of female friends. Their enthusiastic recommendations managed to overcome my usual aversion to fantasy.

As a result, I decided to pick up this collection that contained these two works. To my pleasant surprise, they were distinct from the typical fantasy fare.

Unlike so much of the genre that often follows a predictable formula, these stories had a unique charm and freshness.

The Last Unicorn, in particular, drew me in with its enchanting world and memorable characters. It took me on a journey filled with magic, mystery, and a touch of sadness.

A Fine & Private Place, on the other hand, had a more somber and thought-provoking tone. It explored themes of love, loss, and the meaning of life in a way that made me reflect long after I had finished reading.

Overall, I'm glad I listened to my friends' suggestions and gave this collection a chance. It has opened my eyes to the possibilities of fantasy and shown me that there are stories out there that can truly touch the heart and mind.

This omnibus contains two short stories and two full-length stories. They are "Lila the Werewolf" and "Come, Lady Death" (short stories), and "The Last Unicorn" and "A Fine and Private Place" (full length). Overall, I'm giving it a three, but this is based on evaluating each story individually.

"Lila the Werewolf" (1 star): I simply didn't like this one. I almost gave up on reading the omnibus right from the start as this was the first story and it made a poor first impression. However, I persevered, and I'm glad I did.

"The Last Unicorn" (3 stars): I anticipated loving this story, as most people seem to, but I find myself only just liking it. I think that if I had read it as a child, I would have adored it. As an adult, it was rather dull. I didn't have much interest in the characters and was overall unimpressed. Nevertheless, it was still a well-written story.

"Come, Lady Death" (3 stars): This was much better than the first short story, which I was pleased about. It was short and charming, and I enjoyed reading it.

"A Fine and Private Place" (4 stars): This is the one that surprised me and truly saved the omnibus for me. I didn't expect to like it as much as I did. I read the omnibus mainly for "The Last Unicorn" and had never even heard of this story before. But it was really, really sweet. It was humorous and touching, and an all-round enjoyable read. Of the four stories in the book, this is the only one I would truly recommend.

Lila the Werewolf gives me the impression that it is precisely the kind of thing that a college undergraduate who has fears regarding women and/or sexuality might pen. If I were to assign it a rating of my own, it would be a meager two stars.

The Last Unicorn is one of those books that I had initially believed was so firmly entrenched in the fantasy canon that I didn't feel the need to revisit it. Many of the Great Works books were pioneers and had a significant influence on a great deal of other works. However, if you have already read a substantial number of the duly-influenced works that followed, you don't always gain much from going back and reading the ones that did a particular thing first. (Also, I had watched the movie as a child, and the plot didn't seem very promising for an adult read.) But The Last Unicorn is not one of those books. It truly merits every ounce of the praise that has been lavished upon it. And if you haven't read it yet, I envy you for still having the opportunity to experience your very first reading of it in the future. I would give it six, maybe even seven blazing stars if I could. It really tugged at my heartstrings terribly, and then I looked up a related short story that also had a beautiful and painful impact.

Come, Lady Death was a solid and well-written short story. For this reader, it earns a rating of 3 stars.

A Fine and Private Place, the second novel in the book and占据了几乎整本书的一半篇幅, is nuanced and极其令人难以忘怀 (ha! I didn't mean for that to be an unfortunate pun on the actual plot, but it's out there now, and I'm not taking it back) and poignant. This quality is so masterfully wielded by Mr. Beagle in his fiction that I can't help but suspect he paid some sort of price for it at a crossroads at midnight. It deserves a rating of 4.5 stars.

I was truly disappointed.

I have a great love for the movie "The Last Unicorn", but Peter's writing in this work is extremely simple, and his storytelling is underdeveloped.

Lila's story was rather boring and failed to convey the emotions of the main character effectively.

Regrettably, I didn't manage to reach the last story. However, the only one that I did like was "Lady Death".

It presents an interesting approach to telling the story about death, exploring who death is and how it shouldn't be something to be feared.

The concept was engaging and offered a unique perspective that made it stand out among the other stories.

Despite my initial disappointment with the overall writing style and some of the stories, "Lady Death" provided a glimmer of hope and made me appreciate the different ways in which a story can be told.

Perhaps with further refinement and development, Peter could create more captivating and engaging works in the future.

I read this a VERY long time ago when I was approximately 17 years old or so.

I have an intense love for "Lila the Werewolf" and simply can't fathom why such a large number of people have an issue with it.

For years now, I have been casting and re-casting the movie in my mind.

It's truly a pity that it hasn't been developed into a script yet.

Come on, someone out there needs to take the initiative and develop that script!

It would be amazing to see this wonderful story come to life on the big screen.

I firmly believe that it has the potential to be a huge hit and capture the hearts of many viewers.

So, please, someone make it happen!