Book Review: The Last Unicorn by Peter S Beagle

Author: Peter S Beagle

Title: The Last Unicorn

Genre: Fantasy, YA, classics, SciFi

Format: paperback

Pages: 304

Published: March 1, 1968

Where I Got It: My shelf (Gift)

Summary: 

The unicorn discovers that she is the last unicorn in the world, and sets off to find the others. She meets Schmendrick the Magician—whose magic seldom works, and never as he intended—when he rescues her from Mommy Fortuna's Midnight Carnival, where only some of the mythical beasts displayed are illusions. They are joined by Molly Grue, who believes in legends despite her experiences with a Robin Hood wannabe and his unmerry men. Ahead wait King Haggard and his Red Bull, who banished unicorns from the land.

Review:

Been meaning to read this for YEARS but just never did it. I received this as a gift a couple years back so I was excited to read it! (*cough* so was my puppy Wallace. He got some nibbles on it. D:) 

Our story follows a unicorn who discovers she is the last unicorn in the world. She can't and won't believe it, so she sets off on an adventure to find others. On the way she meets Schmendrick the Magician whose magic seldom works. They become fast friends and companions after he rescues her from Mommy Fortuna's Midnight Carnival. They soon meet up with Molly Grue who believes in legends. They find out that King Haggard and his Red Bull are the reasons behind the other unicorns disappearing. It will be up to these three to save the unicorns and bring them back to the land. 

When I was growing up I watched this movie a million times. I always fast forwarded it during a certain scene because it was scary, but I loved this movie so much. I even have watched it a time or two as an adult. Honestly, I'm ashamed I didn't read the book sooner, but oh well. 

Sighs. Let's get it over with....................

I wish I loved the book as much as I loved the movie, but it didn't feel as magical to me. The writing style had all the makings of a great writer, but I just struggled hardcore with this classic. Now, the beginning was beautiful and fantastic. However, I felt that as the story progressed he started trying too hard. There were times it felt forced. 

I never connected with anyone but the unicorn. The other characters felt 2D. The Unicorn never acted human and she didn't need to....she's a unicorn! The humans though? Eh. Meh. Boo. 

Did I enjoy the story overall though? Sure. I loved watching the unicorn make her way through this terrible world of cruddy humans. She was truly the best character. However, with a flat supporting cast and the author really trying to make this lyrical and beautiful.....it felt hollow in some parts.

I will say I am glad I read this. As with all book to movie adaptions, things are left out. I'm glad I got to read more of the lore and now I may understand the movie a bit more. That was nice. 

All-in-all, I wish I had liked this more. I did enjoy the journey by the end, but I didn't love this as the movie. The supporting cast were not as magical as the unicorn. The writing prose was lovely, but at times it felt like he was trying too hard. This is a classic and I do recommend people who loved the movie to read this. There are additional things shown here. More lore. More story. Will I read book 2? Probably not. 

I shall stamp this with 2 stars.

ONE WORD SUMMARY: Fair