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A Fine and Private Place/The Last Unicorn
The Last Unicorn is a fantasy novel written by Peter S. Beagle and published in 1968. It follows the tale of a unicorn, who believes she is the last of her kind in the world and undertakes a quest to discover what has happened to the others. It has sold more than five million copies worldwide since its original publication, and has been translated into at least twenty languages. In 1987, Locus ranked The Last Unicorn number five among the 33 "All-Time Best Fantasy Novels", based on a poll of subscribers. The story begins with a group of human hunters passing through a forest in search of game. After days of coming up empty-handed, they begin to believe they are passing through a Unicorn's forest, where animals are kept safe by a magical aura. They resign themselves to hunting somewhere else; but, before they leave, one of the hunters calls out a warning to the Unicorn that she may be the last of her kind. This revelation disturbs the Unicorn, and though she initially dismisses it, eventually doubt and worry drive her to leave her forest. She travels through the land and discovers that humans no longer even recognize her; instead they see a pretty white mare. She is taken captive by a traveling carnival led by witch Mommy Fortuna, who uses magical spells to create the illusion that regular animals are in fact creatures of myth and legend. There are many more adventures and the book is a delight, as well as thought-provoking. A good read!!
457 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1991
6 people are currently reading
225 people want to read
About the author
Peter S. Beagle
219Ìýbooks3,669ÌýfollowersPeter Soyer Beagle (born April 20, 1939) is an American fantasist and author of novels, nonfiction, and screenplays. He is also a talented guitarist and folk singer. He wrote his first novel, A Fine and Private Place , when he was only 19 years old. Today he is best known as the author of The Last Unicorn, which routinely polls as one of the top ten fantasy novels of all time, and at least two of his other books (A Fine and Private Place and I See By My Outfit) are considered modern classics.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
February 25, 2019
The Last Unicorn's home is very old, beautiful, and is always Spring. She learns that she is the last. So she abandons her forest in search of other Unicorns. She has always believed they were out there somewhere. She runs into several characters the Butterfly, Mommy Fortuna and a magician who has no control of his magic (seems to be still in training)...Schmendrick and his companion Molly. The Unicorn learns the ups and downs of life and about the raging Red Bull and what he has done with the Last. Upon trying to protect the Unicorn somehow Schmendrick musters to cast a spell. Once things are righted and because of her experience she has learned what love is and she can make things change.
Beagle's words are hard to believe that they are over 50 years old. Written as in verse, almost like a song, quite magical, all sunshine and rainbows. It took me back to my childhood of collecting Unicorns and loving their beauty and snow white coloring. It is written I think for mid-aged children and for adults with some hidden messages inbetween, that the kids probably won't get. Some are...A fear of getting old and of living alone stands out to me. A quote about misjudgment "We are not always what we seem and hardly ever what we dream" thought provoking. Obsession, greed and possessions (as in having all the Unicorns) are short term highs. As an adult it reads like a beautiful captivating Fairy Tale that contains some dark yet bittersweet moments.
Beagle's words are hard to believe that they are over 50 years old. Written as in verse, almost like a song, quite magical, all sunshine and rainbows. It took me back to my childhood of collecting Unicorns and loving their beauty and snow white coloring. It is written I think for mid-aged children and for adults with some hidden messages inbetween, that the kids probably won't get. Some are...A fear of getting old and of living alone stands out to me. A quote about misjudgment "We are not always what we seem and hardly ever what we dream" thought provoking. Obsession, greed and possessions (as in having all the Unicorns) are short term highs. As an adult it reads like a beautiful captivating Fairy Tale that contains some dark yet bittersweet moments.
November 2, 2008
A unicorn who believes she is the last of her kind, in search of other unicorns. An adventure, a quest of sorts.
Meeting people who will help her, and some may harm her.
Juvenile and predictable.
Though it is a beloved fairytale, I think it could have been better.
Meeting people who will help her, and some may harm her.
Juvenile and predictable.
Though it is a beloved fairytale, I think it could have been better.
August 30, 2023
Classic fantasy with some beautiful passages. If you enjoyed this you might enjoy TH White's the Once and Future King
September 4, 2010
Both novellas were okay - not something I'd read again. While his metaphors and similes were very well done, they were distracting and frequently threw me right out of the story as I was reading it. I did like A Fine and Private Place's concept though - retreating from life by living in a mausoleum in a cemetery.
October 2, 2011
The raven carrying the bologna sandwich drew me into a story that I may not have otherwise read. I enjoyed the rest of the story very much and it was not in any way predictable.
The Last Unicorn was fantastic (of course being my favorite movie as a child, I may have been slightly biased:). The movie script followed the book almost word for word.
The Last Unicorn was fantastic (of course being my favorite movie as a child, I may have been slightly biased:). The movie script followed the book almost word for word.
May 29, 2008
I love the Last Unicorn. Trying to understand Fine & Private Place. A little weird.
November 28, 2009
Both novels are wonderful...he is one of the founders of true fantasy literature.
March 25, 2017
I loved both stories. A Fine and Private Place brought me to tears.
April 3, 2015
I couldn't get into 'A Fine and Private Place' but I did enjoy 'The Last Unicorn' very much!
April 1, 2016
I can't really relate to A Fine and Private Place but I think I quite like The Last Unicorn
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
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