A review by spookfish
In Calabria by Peter S. Beagle

mysterious reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

Beagle's writing is very beautiful, he is a skilled craftsman of whimsy and magical mystery. However, the could-be greatness of this book is lost about ΒΌ of the way through. The introduction of a romance between a 47 year old man, and a young woman in her 20's spoilt this for me, and that's most of the story! I did not like the way the protagonist referred to his young love interest, along with constantly reminding her how he remembers her as a child, even as she is stood in front of him naked as an adult.
A real shame, because the story of a lonely farmer in Italy during the winter being met my a pregnant unicorn, was really lovely, it could have been much more than it turned out to be.
Should I even mention the Italian gang that starts threatening him and murdering his animals? Not sure that needed to be wedged in.
A missed opportunity for something better.
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