Reviews

The Last Unicorn by Peter S. Beagle

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sharnibee's review against another edition

adventurous slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

I read the first chapter at the bookstore and kept on reading when I got home - I was really enjoying the story up until our party of 3 arrive at King Haggard’s Castle, and then the going got a little slow. It is beautifully, lyrically written and I can see why it’s so beloved.

thegreenknight3's review

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adventurous challenging mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character

3.0

allisoncread's review

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adventurous emotional hopeful mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

kinchelolo's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional reflective medium-paced

4.75

lonestar91's review against another edition

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adventurous inspiring relaxing medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

cshilney's review against another edition

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1.0

You will only be able to read so many books in your lifetime. Do not waste one of those books on this.

The Last Unicorn contains an abundance of metaphors and similes, many of which don’t make sense. I don’t know what is meant by “Beyond King Haggard’s castle a burning brightness was rising, breaking into the night like a great shoulder.” Nor do I know how to visualize “His horns were as pale as scars.” There are so many of them and they got old really quickly; it felt like these weird sayings were on every page.

The pacing of the book is fast. One paragraph people are enemies and then next they suddenly become good friends with barely any conversation. One chapter will end and then, without describing the journey, the main characters are in an entirely new place at the start of the next chapter. And each chapter something inorganically dramatic happen.

There are also odd moments of violence mixed with humor. They don’t fit well. The humor in this book didn’t resonate with me.

I had a hard time visualizing much of the book and understanding what was even going on and why. The scenes aren’t very descriptive and even when they are, the nonsensical metaphors and similes make it difficult to visualize. The pacing is all over the place.

There are occasional moments of symbolism but they provided very little meaning. I didn’t find this book to be insightful.

I encourage you to pick up something else.