The Last Unicorn: The Lost Journey

(Hardback)

Available Formats

Publishing Details

Classifications

Physical Properties

Description

Special Commemorative Edition celebrating the 50th Anniversary of The Last Unicorn

Peter S. Beagle first imagined his beloved heroine when he was twenty-three, half a decade before she sprang into the world. Now the Last Unicorn's fantastical origins are recaptured in this lovely commemorative hardcover. Here you will discover the eighty-five page genesis of Beagle's masterpiece, his own wry musings upon his early career, charming original illustrations, and tributes from modern fantasy legends Patrick Rothfuss and Carrie Vaughn.

In this wonderfully strange adventure, a brave unicorn leaves her solitary life behind, determined to discover if she is the last of her kind. She is forewarned by a forlorn dragon and befuddled by a chatty butterfly; her unfamiliar traveling companion will be an exiled demon with a split personality and a penchant for philosophy.

Somewhere between mythology, modernity, and magic, the Last Unicorn has found herself on the road less traveled by...until now.

Reviews

Praise for The Last Unicorn: The Lost Journey [STARRED REVIEW] Fifty years ago, the first edition of The Last Unicorn was published; the legend of a unicorn searching for her kind has filled readers hearts for decades. This commemorative hardcover edition is the first draft of what would eventually become Beagle's best-known work . . . Fans will want to witness the evolution into the original. Booklist Although this book is not the complete story of the travels of the unicorn and her friends, fans of the original will love encountering additional characters they never had the pleasure of meeting when they first experienced the unicorns journey. Publishers Weekly 10/10 stars. [Beagles] storytelling is pure artistry, and his prose is among the most delicate, magical writing youll probably ever read . . . a terrific little novella and a very welcome insight into Beagles earliest writing process and the evolution of a modern classic. Starburst It is the first journey, the first introduction, the first chance meeting on the road, a melding of the immortal world of the unicorn and the brief world of us mortals, the first glimpse of the lilac wood. It is here we glimpse what will come to be, years before it came to pass. Barnes & Noble Book Blog A very beautifully written book. 5/5 stars. Open Book Society Beagle has a way of drawing readers in and making us believe in unicorns. San Francisco Book Review Peter Beagle is one of Americas finest writers of literary fantasy. The Last Unicorn: The Lost Journey further strengthens his reputation. Michael Moorcock, author of the Elric of Melnibon series Did you ever have a dream that was gorgeous and harrowing, confusing and profound, and utterly impossible to describe This story is that dream. Jacqueline Carey, author of Starless and Kushiels Dart Enchanting, wistful, beautifulit haunts me! Tamora Pierce, author of Tempests and Slaughter and The Immortals Quartet A lyrical tapestry of wordplay and despair, with resonances of Malvina Reynolds funny and desolate song-writing (Little Boxes, What Have They Done to the Rain); a shadow Carl Sandburg version of the unmaking of myth, with a sixties sensibility. Nina Kiriki Hoffman, author of The Thread that Bonds the Bones The Last Unicorn: The Lost Journey is a must-read for any fans of The Last Unicorn who want to see the bones of the story they love and a journey and experience like no other. The magic is still there, as is the love for this amazing story, only in a different way. Six Blue Marbles Praise for Peter S. Beagle "[Beagle] has been compared, not unreasonably, with Lewis Carroll and J. R. R. Tolkien, but he stands squarelyand triumphantlyon his own feet." The Saturday Review One of my favorite writers. Madeleine LEngle, author of A Wrinkle in Time Peter S. Beagle illuminates with his own particular magic such commonplace matters as ghosts, unicorns, and werewolves. For years a loving readership has consulted him as an expert on those hearts reasons that reason does not know. Ursula K. Le Guin, author of A Wizard of Earthsea Peter S. Beagle is (in no particular order) a wonderful writer, a fine human being, and a bandit prince out to steal readers hearts. Tad Williams, author of The Dragonbone Chair "We all have something to learnabout writing, about humanity, about hopefrom Peter Beagle. Seanan McGuire, author of Rosemary and Rue Peter Beagle deserves a seat at the table with the great masters of fantasy. If you had any doubts, The Overneath will dispel them. Christopher Moore, author of Lamb and The Serpent of Venice Peter S. Beagle is the magician we all apprenticed ourselves to. Lisa Goldstein, author of The Red Magician Peter S. Beagle would be one of the centurys great writers in any arena he chose; we readers must feel blessed that Beagle picked fantasy as a homeland.Edward Bryant, author of Cinnabar A novella about love in a world of hardship, loss, magic, and recovery. Beagles unicorns have never been more bewitching, impossible, and genuine. I cherished every page. Gregory Maguire, author of Wicked and After Alice (on In Calabria) Praise for The Overneath [STARRED REVIEW] A masterful collection from a short story mastera must-read for Beagle fans. Kirkus, starred review [STARRED REVIEW] This enchanting collection employs simple humor and affectionate sarcasm and will enchant any reader who still believes in magic. Publishers Weekly, starred review [STARRED REVIEW] Beagles strong and versatile talent is well on display here, and fantasy readers will be missing out if they dont give it a look. Booklist, starred review Verdict: For fantasy fans, Beagle should be a staple. Library Journal I loved these stories because they are, above all else, human. Their magic does not lie in the fantastical settings and situations, but in the essential human truths they reveal. Washington Independent Review of Books This anthology is a triumph. 10/10 stars. Starburst

Author Bio

Peter S. Beagle is the best-selling author of The Last Unicorn, which has sold a reported five million copies since its initial publication. His other novels include A Fine & Private Place, The Innkeepers Song, Tamsin, Summerlong and In Calabria. Beagle's short fiction has been collected in four volumes by Tachyon Publications, including The Rhinoceros Who Quoted Nietzsche, The Line Between, We Never Talk About My Brother, and Sleight of Hand. He has won the Hugo, Nebula, Mythopoeic, and Grand Prix de lImaginaire awards and the World Fantasy Award for Lifetime Achievement. Beagle lives in Northern California, where he is working on nearly innumerable projects.