The Last Unicorn #1

The Last Unicorn

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She was magical, beautiful beyond belief—and completely alone...The unicorn had lived since before memory in a forest where death could touch nothing. Maidens who caught a glimpse of her glory were blessed by enchantment they would never forget. But outside her wondrous realm, dark whispers and rumours carried a message she could not "Unicorns are gone from the world."Aided by a bumbling magician and an indomitable spinster, she set out to learn the truth. but she feared even her immortal wisdom meant nothing in a world where a mad king's curse and terror incarnate lived only to stalk the last unicorn to her doom...

248 pages, Paperback

First published March 1,1968

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Community Reviews

Rating(4.1 / 5.0, 100 votes)
5 stars
35(35%)
4 stars
37(37%)
3 stars
28(28%)
2 stars
0(0%)
1 stars
0(0%)
100 reviews All reviews
July 15,2025
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The Last Unicorn is an absolute gem of a book. It was penned with such care and artistry that it demands to be read over and over again. Its pages are filled with a rich tapestry of emotions and experiences. It's not just a story; it's a journey.


The story is like a beautiful poem in prose form. It's enchanting, lyrical, and soulful. It takes you to a world of unicorns, magicians, and fairytale creatures. The characters are vividly drawn, each with their own flaws and virtues.


The unicorn herself is a symbol of purity and magic. She leaves her safe forest to embark on a dangerous adventure, only to discover that the world has changed and not everyone believes in unicorns anymore. Along the way, she meets Schmendrick the magician, Molly Grue, and other unforgettable characters.


The themes of self-discovery, self-worth, and destiny are explored in a profound and thought-provoking way. The book also has a lot to say about belief and the power of imagination. It reminds us that we are all living in a fairy tale in our own minds and souls.


The writing is simple yet imaginative, with countless passages that will stay with you long after you've finished reading. It's a book that can be enjoyed by readers of all ages, and it's one that I highly recommend.


Final Score: 5/5
July 15,2025
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I read this book when I was around 11 years old.

To be honest, I can't recall much about its specific details. However, I do remember that I really liked it.

It seems to me that Beagle, the author, wrote several other books along a similar line.

This has piqued my interest, and I have decided that I plan to look into them further.

I'm curious to see if they will capture my imagination in the same way that this particular book did when I was younger.

Maybe I'll discover new and wonderful stories that will stay with me for a long time.

I'm excited to embark on this literary exploration and see what awaits me in Beagle's other works.
July 15,2025
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I'm truly glad that I have finally delved into this fantasy classic!

The Last Unicorn has a quality that makes it feel as if it exists outside of time. It is a book filled with whimsy, enchanting the reader from the very first page. It is also delightfully funny at times, and yet, it manages to be surprisingly moving.

It takes inspiration from classic literature, but does so in a playful manner that makes it extremely accessible. I firmly believe that one could pick up this book at various ages and have entirely different experiences with it.

The story follows the eponymous last unicorn on her arduous quest to discover where the rest of her kind have gone. Along the way, she encounters numerous dangers and makes some wonderful friends.

I can clearly understand why this novel has endured and maintained such staying power. It is a book that I could easily envision reading aloud to my kids, sharing the magic and wonder of this beautiful story with them.
July 15,2025
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You know what? I give up!

I've been reading this for over two months and every time I picked it up, I was so bored and confused. Maybe one day I'll go back and read it in a shorter time span, but I really don't know.

The writing was indeed gorgeous and the metaphors were nice. However, I couldn't connect to the story at all. There wasn't enough of the unicorn, and it was just strange.

It had this quality to it that was like The Little Prince. There seemed like there would be some deeper, darker message concealed with a lot of symbolism and loaded language, but I couldn't quite figure out what it was trying to do.

I was just so, so bored, which really upsets me because I paid full price for this book, and it has such high ratings. It makes me wonder if I'm missing something or if my expectations were too high. But for now, I'm just going to put this book aside and move on to something else.
July 15,2025
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**Title: My Thoughts on a Book with an Extinct/Imaginary Creature**

Honestly, I don't think I fully understood this one. It was part of the Popsugar Reading Challenge 2019, specifically a book featuring an extinct or imaginary creature. My main emotion while reading was confusion. It wasn't that the story was hard to follow, but rather that I couldn't see what others seemed to. This book has a high rating, yet I just wasn't into it. It really confused me!



The opening was quite good. The first couple of pages were spectacular and gave me high hopes for the rest of the book. They were so beautiful and lyrical. However, that's where my enjoyment ended. I was constantly confused and couldn't figure out what kind of book this was supposed to be. Was it a children's book? A fairy tale? An epic fantasy? I wasted a lot of time thinking about that question.



In conclusion, while the opening had promise, this book just didn't work for me. Maybe others will have a different experience. Follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for more book reviews and discussions.

July 15,2025
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The Last Unicorn by Peter S Beagle is an exquisitely crafted masterpiece in the realm of fantasy books. It is a fairy tale that only Beagle could have penned. The poetic writing is deeply sublime, with proses that are dreamlike and rhythmic, telling a wondrous story in a sorrowful tone. This book will linger in readers' minds, not to be forgotten easily, unlike other fairy tales that fade away quickly.

It delves into the boundaries between mortals and immortals. What is the allure of immortality? What is a dream? What if the characters in a fairytale, like princes and magicians, don't conform to the standard archetypes but instead seek the meaning of quests, love, and eternal happiness? What if an immortal is transformed into a mortal? The Last Unicorn holds deeper meaning than many other fairy tales, and only Beagle has the talent to create such a work.

The story begins with the unicorn overhearing two hunters say they haven't seen any unicorns in a long time. Realizing she is the last unicorn in the world, she sets off on a journey to find others. Along the way, she is captured by a witch and later rescued by Schmendrick, an inexperienced wizard who becomes her guardian. They meet Molly, a highwayman, and befriend her. Together, they travel to the castle Hagsgate, ruled by King Haggard, who has a Red Bull that terrorizes the townsfolk.

After seeing the Red Bull, the unicorn is chased by it. Schmendrick manages to cast a spell and transform the unicorn into a girl named Amalthea to escape. However, she is now trapped in a human body and fears losing her immortality. The trio enters the castle and stays there. Over time, Prince Lir falls in love with Amalthea, but she remains cold and detached. Eventually, they do fall in love, and Amalthea's true identity is revealed. Schmendrick transforms her back into a unicorn just in time to face the Red Bull. Prince Lir protects the unicorn but is killed by the Red Bull. This prompts the unicorn to fight and liberate the other unicorns that were imprisoned by the Red Bull. Prince Lir is resurrected and becomes the king, but all he truly desires is the love of Amalthea.

The story has multiple layers. The unicorn, initially ignorant of mortals, embarks on a journey to find others like her. In the process, she becomes mortal and learns about the desires and loves of humans. Only Schmendrick and Molly can see the unicorn for what she truly is. Schmendrick, having experienced immortality, and Molly, who still holds onto her dreams, are able to perceive the unicorn's true form. King Haggard, afraid of losing the beauty of immortality, tries to capture unicorns, leading to his downfall. Prince Lir, the tragic hero, sacrifices himself for love and ultimately learns the meaning of life. Schmendrick, the most complex character,看似笨拙且总是把事情搞砸,但他深知故事中的角色需要如何塑造,尤其是在童话中. He plays a crucial role in the story, reminding Lir of his identity and ending the traditional happy ending. In the end, Schmendrick becomes mortal again and leaves with Molly, moving on to another story.

The Last Unicorn is a timeless and beautifully written story that appeals to readers of all ages, especially adults who can understand the metaphors and philosophical questions within the text. It is a story that explores the nature of life, love, and the search for meaning.
July 15,2025
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I truly loved it.

It is written in such a beautiful way, and it is also funny at times!

I find it hard to believe that I missed reading this when I was a kid.

The characters in it are extremely memorable, and the story is a wonderful allegorical one.

It has left such a deep impression on me that now I simply have to watch the movie.

I'm really looking forward to seeing how the story is presented on the big screen and how the characters come to life.

I'm sure the movie will be just as amazing as the book, if not more so.

I can't wait to experience it all over again in a different format.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good story with great characters and a thought-provoking message.

It's definitely a classic that should not be missed.
July 15,2025
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The Last Unicorn is, without a doubt, one of the most exquisitely beautiful books ever penned. The enchanting story it unfolds is that of a perilous quest embarked upon by the last unicorn, Molly Grue, and Schmendrik the Magician. Their mission? To rescue the unicorns from the menacing Red Bull of King Haggard. What initially seems like a run-of-the-mill traditional fantasy tale soon reveals itself to be so much more. Schmendrik, the last of his kind, is a rather incompetent magician who yearns only to discover his true magic so that he can become mortal and embrace death. Molly Grue, on the other hand, is not your typical woman tethered to a life on the road by her love for rogues. Instead, she has resigned herself to her fate out of her deep love for the unicorn.


This book is a poignant exploration of sadness and profound sorrow. Yet, paradoxically, one emerges from reading it feeling somehow better. I firmly believe that this is a book that everyone should encounter at some juncture in their lives. If nothing else, it offers a momentary glimpse into the essence of true beauty. Quite simply, this book ranks among the very best ever written. I earnestly hope that it continues to find its devoted audience for countless years to come.

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