The Last Unicorn
An immortal beauty, all alone
Author: Peter S. Beagle
Year first published: 1968
Original Language: English
Genre: Fantasy
I've heard this one referred to as a classic many times, but had never read it myself. I have seen the film once a few years ago but it wasn't really my thing at the time. I know it's a much loved story, and it was a favorite of my late sister-in-law who recently passed away. She and I weren't close, but I still decided to read this partially in her honor.
It starts with a lone unicorn, who remains nameless, carrying out her existence as a sort of forest guardian. She is immortal, and full of magic, a magic that protects her forest and all those that live there, and she seems content, until hunters wandering through her woods talk of how unicorns, if they ever existed, no longer walked this earth. Unable to get the thought of being the last of her kind out of her head, the Unicorn leaves her tranquil woods to find the truth.
She travels, day and night, searching aimlessly with no clues, only the startling realization that even when humans see her, they cannot see her for what she truly is, and see nothing but an ordinary, albeit beautiful, white mare.
It's a little disingenuous to call the unicorn the main character as she's almost more of a plot point than a character in her own right, in some ways. The story follows her, but she ceases to be the main focus character once she meets Shmendrick the Magician, where it becomes less about her quest and more about his journey alongside her, but never really quite with her.
Even knowing the general direction the story was heading, as well as knowing the ending (sort of, I didn't really remember much), I knew this was the kind of story that was more about the journey than the destination.
Also, there was this absolute banger of a name.
It was an enjoyable read, and I liked Beagle's writing style. It's also interesting to think about if the unicorn would have undertaken this quest if she knew what it would be like. She is depicted as being so alien to us in her immortality, if she knew all she would have to endure, if she foresaw the fate of the Lady Amalthea, would she have thought it was worth it? Or would she have stayed in her forest? Was the taste of humanity, bitter as it was, worth freeing the other unicorns?
I hope she found it worthwhile. After all, she's now the only unicorn who knows how to feel regret.
Review posted 2023/10/23