I got this book many years ago when I went to Comic Con.

Although crowds are somewhat my idea of hell, I ultimately had a wonderful time once I realized that around the less populated edges of the convention, there still existed a con from the 1970s. There, I could meet Sergio Aragones and attend a lecture on Boris Vallejo.

I unexpectedly came across Peter in Artists Alley, and it was like finding a unicorn in a glade, considering how much I had idolized him as a child. I thanked him for his work and bought a copy of this book, which he signed for me. This was probably around 2010 or so.

And it has taken me until now to read it because I never used to make time for things that I would actually enjoy. But now, I have been forced to.

I really enjoyed it. It was a great experience to finally read the book that I had obtained so long ago and to have it signed by the artist I admired. It made me realize that sometimes, we need to make time for the things that bring us joy and not always be so focused on other aspects of life.

What isn't there to love about this collection of fantasy short stories?

It is truly a captivating and enchanting compilation. The stories within it transport readers to magical realms and introduce them to unique and memorable characters.

And the title story, in particular, is a gem. It tells the tale of a philosopher rhinoceros and his relationship with a professor, which is like that of an old friend. The charm and comfort it offers are irresistible, making me keep coming back to it time and time again.

This collection is not only inventive but also incredibly funny. The author's imagination knows no bounds, and the humorous elements add an extra layer of entertainment to the already engaging narratives.

In conclusion, this is a wonderful collection of fantasy short stories that is sure to delight readers of all ages. It is a must-read for anyone who loves a good dose of magic, adventure, and laughter.

The story from which the book got its name is truly a lovely one.

It captivates the reader with its charm and beauty, drawing them into a world of imagination and wonder.

The details within the story are carefully crafted, painting a vivid picture that lingers in the mind long after the last page is turned.

Not only that, but there are also some essays included here that provide interesting context for Beagle's writing.

These essays offer valuable insights into the author's thought process, the inspiration behind his works, and the historical and cultural backdrop against which they were created.

They enhance the reader's understanding and appreciation of Beagle's writing, adding an extra layer of depth and complexity to the overall experience.

Together, the story and the essays make this book a truly engaging and worthwhile read.

I've postponed looking for this book for some time because I was worried that I wouldn't like the title story. However, I was pleasantly surprised.

I think Beagle's other short story collections are a bit stronger. And it's really not fair to compare because this isn't just a short story collection; the book also contains some early non-fiction writing. The non-fiction was interesting, although perhaps more so for those who know more about the events as, unfortunately, they are a little out of context here.

Regarding the fiction, I have the problem that I want to read it as quickly as possible to find out what will happen, but at the same time, I also want to sit back and relish the stories.

This book has truly intrigued me, and I find myself torn between the desire for a quick read to satisfy my curiosity and the need to take my time and fully appreciate the beauty and depth of each story. It's a wonderful dilemma to have, and I look forward to spending more time with this collection.

A wonderful collection of short stories and essays awaits the readers.

I was truly captivated by this anthology. Among the many outstanding pieces, I particularly enjoyed "Come Lady Death". It was quite a stroke of luck for me to have discovered an original copy of the Sci-Fi magazine in a bookstore earlier this summer, which contained this gem of a story.

Another story that left a lasting impression on me was "Julie's Unicorn". The enchanting tale took me on a magical journey, filled with wonder and imagination.

"The Poor People's Campaign" was also a remarkable piece. It delved deep into social issues, making me reflect on the plight of the less fortunate.

This collection is a must-read for anyone who appreciates the power of words and the art of storytelling. It offers a diverse range of voices and perspectives, each one unique and engaging. Whether you're a fan of science fiction, fantasy, or social commentary, there's something in this collection for you.

My first encounter with Peter Beagle's work, much like that of many others, was through the classic The Last Unicorn. I was immediately captivated and eagerly sought out everything else I could find. At that time, I discovered I See By My Outfit and A Fine and Private Place. The former was a non-fiction account of a cross-country trip on a motor scooter, while the latter was Beagle's first novel. It wasn't until 1978 that I stumbled upon the pairing of "Come Lady Death" and "Lila the Werewolf" in The Fantasy Worlds of Peter Beagle, realizing for the first time that he had written works shorter than novels.

The Tachyon collection arrived much later, in 1997. Although it included the two aforementioned stories, I snatched it up for what else it offered. It contained the title story that I had missed in its initial print run, as well as "The Naga" and the original story "Julie's Unicorn."

Assuming you haven't read the stories I'm discussing, capsule summaries seem appropriate. However, the problem with Beagle, like most writers of his caliber, is that simply telling you what a story is about doesn't truly convey its essence. For instance, in the title story, "The Rhinoceros Who Quoted Nietzsche," an ex-pat Swiss professor of philosophy randomly visits the local zoo and encounters a talking rhinoceros that decides to leave the zoo and live with him. Or in "The Naga," an unhappy king discovers his soul-mate in a divine serpent. And in "Julie's Unicorn," a friend of Farrell (Beagle's recurring character) frees a unicorn from a tattered old tapestry and they attempt to find it a new home. As you can see, I may have told you what the stories are on the surface, but that's just an illusion. The true meaning of a story lies beyond its basic plot, and it can only be experienced by reading it yourself.

I'm not sure if Beagle actually took a hiatus from the field or if it just seemed that way before he returned with The Innkeeper's Song. However, it did seem that the mid-nineties marked a flurry of creative activity that has yet to subside, and for that, we should be grateful. The value of the Tachyon collection is that it brings together stories from that time and earlier, providing a more comprehensive overview of his career than a typical "best of" collection. Additionally, several early non-fiction pieces are included, which Beagle himself claims were written just to "put bread on the table," but they offer insights into his worldview and vision, just like his stories. Overall, this collection is well worth the time of any reader, especially those of us who have loved his stories for years but have never before encountered this aspect of Peter Beagle's writing.

Better late than never.

There are very few short story collections in existence that can compare favorably to a Peter Beagle short story collection.

Peter Beagle is a master of the short story form, and his collections are filled with tales that are both enchanting and thought-provoking.

I have had the pleasure of reading many of his works, and I must say that I am always impressed by his ability to create vivid characters and engaging plots in a relatively short amount of space.

In particular, I have a soft spot for the story that gives its title to this particular book.

The story is a gem, filled with beautiful prose and a touching narrative that stays with you long after you have finished reading it.

It is just one example of the many wonderful stories that can be found within the pages of a Peter Beagle short story collection.

If you are a fan of short stories, or if you are simply looking for a great read, I highly recommend that you check out one of his collections. You will not be disappointed.

A significant number of repeated short stories from other collections can be found here. However, what are you going to do when it's your favorite author? Well, that's a tough question. For me, even though there are repetitions, I still have a soft spot for him.

I must admit that I still find his essays a little lacking in excitement for my taste. But perhaps this could be attributed to the generational gap. It's possible that the ideas and表达方式 in his essays don't resonate with me as strongly as they might with others of a different generation.

Nevertheless, his short stories and novels always have the power to make me feel a tingle of warmth. There's something about his writing style and the way he weaves his tales that just draws me in and makes me feel all cozy inside. It's as if he has a special touch that can bring his characters and stories to life in the most vivid and engaging way.

Beagle is renowned for his captivating short stories.

Some of the classic ones are "Lilah the Werewolf" and "Come Lady Death". These tales have enthralled readers with their unique plots and vivid characters.

In addition to these well-known works, his collection also includes some of his earliest short stories that he wrote during his college days. These early works offer a glimpse into the budding talent and creative mind of Beagle at a young age.

Furthermore, there are a couple of essays included in the collection. These essays provide additional insights into Beagle's thoughts, ideas, and perspectives on various literary and life-related topics.

Overall, this collection of Beagle's works is a must-read for fans of short stories and those interested in exploring the literary journey of a talented author.

I’ve read a significant portion of the short stories previously.

Lila the Werewolf stands out as my least favorite Beagle short story of all time. However, it was beneficial to read that particular story before delving into Julie’s Unicorn. His profound thoughts on life and mortality are always captivating and worthy of our attention.

Now, let’s turn our attention to the essays. The first essay was truly lovely and highly evocative, transporting the reader to another world.

On the other hand, the second essay was far too long, perhaps causing some readers to lose interest along the way.

But the last essay was simply incredible. It was so outstanding that it would be worth going to great lengths to hunt down the book just for that one essay alone.

Overall, the collection offers a diverse range of literary experiences, with some pieces shining brighter than others.

Peter S. Beagle's short story collection is a captivating anthology that features some of his most renowned works.

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"Professor Gottesman and the Indian Rhinoceros" is a charming tale where a rhinoceros believing it's a unicorn befriends the lonely Professor Gottesman. They form a unique bond through intellectual conversations, and the rhino even moves into his home. This story is the first of several in the collection that explore unicorns in diverse cultures.

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"Come Lady Death" follows an English lady who decides to invite Death to a party. Surprisingly, Death appears as a beautiful young woman. It's a lovely story, though the ending twist may not be entirely unexpected.

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"Lila the Werewolf" is a humorous and sweet story about Joe Farrell who wants to break up with his girlfriend but fears she'll think it's because she's a werewolf. However, the story takes a gory turn at the end with a mating ritual.

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"Julie's Unicorn" brings back Joe Farrell with a new girlfriend, Julie, who releases a tiny unicorn from an old tapestry. The little unicorn's antics are the highlight of this silly story.

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"The Naga" is a slower-paced story about a lonely king who falls in love with a beautiful nagini. They must keep their love a secret, and the story develops into a classic hidden lover narrative with an unconventional ending.

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The collection also includes non-fantasy short stories like "Telephone Call" and "My Daughter's Name is Sarah," as well as essays such as "Learning a Trade" and "My Last Heroes."

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The personal history of the collection being received as a gift adds a touch of sentiment. Additionally, there are other unicorn tales and works related to Joe Farrell included in the list.

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Overall, this short story collection offers a diverse range of tales that will surely delight readers of all ages.

I gave this a rating of 3 stars. The reason is that among the stories, the ones I liked, I truly and deeply liked. However, the ones I didn't like were absolute disasters for me. They were complete and utter bombs.

My two favorite stories were the one about the rhinoceros and "Come Lady Death". Among these two, "Come Lady Death" stood out and was even better. In fact, I would give "Come Lady Death" a rating of 6 stars! It was that good. It had a certain charm and appeal that really grabbed my attention and held it throughout. The story was engaging, the characters were well-developed, and the plot was full of twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat. I would highly recommend "Come Lady Death" to anyone looking for a great read.