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bibliohannah's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
manji's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
psoglav's review against another edition
3.0
My Rating: ★★★✫ 3.5/5
* Storyline ★★★★ 4/5
* World Setting ★★★ 3/5
* Writing Style ★★★ 3/5
* Characters ★★★★ 4/5
* Storyline ★★★★ 4/5
* World Setting ★★★ 3/5
* Writing Style ★★★ 3/5
* Characters ★★★★ 4/5
nymphoutofwater's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
thebooknerdscorner's review against another edition
3.0
In a fashion that combines the lyrical writing of "The Secret Garden" and the satirical musings of "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland," "The Last Unicorn" is a timeless tale that delivers messages of mortality, greed, and the human condition.
"The Last Unicorn" is the tale of the final unicorn and her epic quest to solve the mystery of what happened to the rest of her brethren. With the help of an eccentric magician named Schmendrick and a woman by the name of Molly Grue, the unicorn journeys beyond her wood to confront the calamity that is driving her species to the brink of extinction.
I've watched "The Last Unicorn" movie a long time ago, so I barely remember any of it. This made reading this book kinda feel like a fever dream, because I kept getting bits and flashes of the movie as I progressed through it. With the little I remember, the movie is quite freaky and I'm not really sure if the vibes between the book and movie are really all that similar.
This book heavily reminded me of "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland." Between the nonsensical poems, the crazy cat, and the talking skull that ripped apart the human concept of time, I felt like I was reading a book by Carroll's cousin or something. I think satirical fantasies are really interesting, and I found these elements to be one of the most gripping parts of this book. The breaking of the fourth wall was also quite comical; the characters were aware that they were in a fairy tale, and Schmedrick often used this knowledge to his advantage.
The beginning of this book is quite wandering, so I found it a tad bit boring. The story eventually picks up though, and I found the end to be rather enjoyable.
Overall, "The Last Unicorn" was a decent fantasy read with an older feel to it (I mean, it was published in 1968). I wouldn't quite compare it to Tolkien, but I would liken it to Lewis Carroll and Frances Hodgson Burnett. The characters aren't anything special (though the name Schmendrick is quite unique), the world is pretty average for a fantasy setting, and the unicorn herself isn't all that likable. However, the writing style is pleasant to palate and the elements of satire and the fun poems still made it an enjoyable read. For avid fantasy readers like myself, "The Last Unicorn" is one of those books to check off the bucket list and I finally did it, so that's a win in my book.
"The Last Unicorn" is the tale of the final unicorn and her epic quest to solve the mystery of what happened to the rest of her brethren. With the help of an eccentric magician named Schmendrick and a woman by the name of Molly Grue, the unicorn journeys beyond her wood to confront the calamity that is driving her species to the brink of extinction.
I've watched "The Last Unicorn" movie a long time ago, so I barely remember any of it. This made reading this book kinda feel like a fever dream, because I kept getting bits and flashes of the movie as I progressed through it. With the little I remember, the movie is quite freaky and I'm not really sure if the vibes between the book and movie are really all that similar.
This book heavily reminded me of "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland." Between the nonsensical poems, the crazy cat, and the talking skull that ripped apart the human concept of time, I felt like I was reading a book by Carroll's cousin or something. I think satirical fantasies are really interesting, and I found these elements to be one of the most gripping parts of this book. The breaking of the fourth wall was also quite comical; the characters were aware that they were in a fairy tale, and Schmedrick often used this knowledge to his advantage.
The beginning of this book is quite wandering, so I found it a tad bit boring. The story eventually picks up though, and I found the end to be rather enjoyable.
Overall, "The Last Unicorn" was a decent fantasy read with an older feel to it (I mean, it was published in 1968). I wouldn't quite compare it to Tolkien, but I would liken it to Lewis Carroll and Frances Hodgson Burnett. The characters aren't anything special (though the name Schmendrick is quite unique), the world is pretty average for a fantasy setting, and the unicorn herself isn't all that likable. However, the writing style is pleasant to palate and the elements of satire and the fun poems still made it an enjoyable read. For avid fantasy readers like myself, "The Last Unicorn" is one of those books to check off the bucket list and I finally did it, so that's a win in my book.
krysley's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.75
katykelly's review against another edition
5.0
The animated film was a core part of my childhood. It wasn't long ago I discovered it was based on a book. I wasn't disappointed on reading to see familiar lines, scenes and characters all the way through.
And while it's a lovely fairy tale, it's also self-referential, playful with the genre conventions and anachronistic. Though it seems to be set in a rural mediaeval country, one character references Hamlet, Rumplestilksin and a song about Bill Bailey. It doesn't fit, but it doesn't detract from the surreal story.
A unicorn, safe and sheltered in her woodland home, learns she is the last of her kind and sets out to search for her fellow mythical creatures. Capture, evil beings, new friends and danger all rear their heads at her and she is challenged to her core when she must choose her path - saving herself or saving the unicorns.
It's exciting and a world of wonder with harpies, giant bulls, talking butterflies and magic...
I love the characters that I remember from the film just as much in the book. The writing is excellent, the self preferential passages clever as somehow blending in easily with the mediaeval feel of the story. And it's characters you might not expect to speak them who do. We are treated to a description of what it means to be a true hero in a fairytale, what fairytale conventions are and learn that there is more to come because "a happy ending cannot come in the middle of a story." Cleverly constructed.
Thoroughly enjoyed wallowing in my childhood memories and this beautiful story. It's one I'll share with my son in a few years but also a treat for an adult remembering fairy tales of their own early years and those wanting a really good classical quest of a read.
And while it's a lovely fairy tale, it's also self-referential, playful with the genre conventions and anachronistic. Though it seems to be set in a rural mediaeval country, one character references Hamlet, Rumplestilksin and a song about Bill Bailey. It doesn't fit, but it doesn't detract from the surreal story.
A unicorn, safe and sheltered in her woodland home, learns she is the last of her kind and sets out to search for her fellow mythical creatures. Capture, evil beings, new friends and danger all rear their heads at her and she is challenged to her core when she must choose her path - saving herself or saving the unicorns.
It's exciting and a world of wonder with harpies, giant bulls, talking butterflies and magic...
I love the characters that I remember from the film just as much in the book. The writing is excellent, the self preferential passages clever as somehow blending in easily with the mediaeval feel of the story. And it's characters you might not expect to speak them who do. We are treated to a description of what it means to be a true hero in a fairytale, what fairytale conventions are and learn that there is more to come because "a happy ending cannot come in the middle of a story." Cleverly constructed.
Thoroughly enjoyed wallowing in my childhood memories and this beautiful story. It's one I'll share with my son in a few years but also a treat for an adult remembering fairy tales of their own early years and those wanting a really good classical quest of a read.
kinbote4zembla's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
chelsea_meadow's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0