Peter S. Beagle's Immortal Unicorn, Part 1

Immortal Unicorn #Part 1

by Will Shetterly (Editor & Contributor), Janet Berliner (Editor), Will Shetterly (Contributor)

The Magic is Back. Let Your Imagination Run Free. Peter S. Beagle's international classic The Last Unicorn has captivated readers for three decades. Now Beagle is back, with the help of co-editor Janet Berliner, with this magical volume of legendary stories that capture the essence of this best-loved mythical creature of all time and explore its immortal allure. In this first volume of tales from Peter S. Beagle's The Immortal Unicorn are fourteen stories including a new story by co-editor Janet Berliner, original to this edition.
Contents:
Preface (Peter S. Beagle's Immortal Unicorn) (1995) • essay by Janet Berliner
Foreword (Peter S. Beagle's Immortal Unicorn) (1995) • essay by Peter S. Beagle
Taken He Cannot Be (1995) / short story by Will Shetterly
What the Eye Sees, What the Heart Feels (1995) / short story by Robert Devereaux
Old One-Antler (1995) / short story by Michael Armstrong
Stampede of Light (1995) / short story by Marina Fitch
Gilgamesh Recidivus (1995) / short story by P. D. Cacek
Big Dogs, Strange Days (1995) / short story by Edward Bryant
The Tenth Worthy (1995) / novelette by Susan Shwartz
Daughter of the Tao (1995) / short story by Lisa Mason
The Devil on Myrtle Ave (1995) / novelette by Eric Van Lustbader [as by Eric Lustbader]
Dame a La Licorne (1995) / short story by Judith Tarr
Convergence (1995) / short story by Lucy Taylor
The Day of Sounding of Josh M'bobwe (1998) / short story by Janet Berliner
The Trouble with Unicorns (1995) / short story by Nancy Willard
Professor Gottesman and the Indian Rhinoceros (1995) / novelette by Peter S. Beagle

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Genres: Fantasy, Unicorns, Fiction, Short Stories, Science Fiction Fantasy, Anthologies

398 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

Reviews

[Jo · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a collection of short stories that explored the variety and depth of unicorn lore. From the Japanese/Chinese kirin/qilin, to those found in more recent novels that are more horse than the medieval descriptions of the magical beast. It's a great collection because of this diversity.

Of these stories, there were some that I wasn't excited about. However, there were a few that I adored. Firstly, my favorite was the short by Judith Tarr, called Dame a la Licorne, a futuristic tale involving Lipizzaners and genetic modification. This definitely makes me want to check out some of her other pieces for sure.

Another I enjoyed was Big Dog, Strange Days, by Edward Bryant. It was a curious mixing of history with the fantastical. The Tenth Worthy by Susan Shwartz, an Arthurian tale set in the near future. And last of my favorites was Professor Gottesman and the Indian Rhinocerous by Peter S. Beagle himself, the title a little self-explanatory.

A nice collection, but with the exception of the piece by Judith Tarr, not a book I would keep in my collection. Otherwise, it is an entertaining read.

[Ryan Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not your standard rainbows and unicorn collection of unicorn stories. Some of them are very gripping and have little to do with the happy and fluffy image of mystical horned horses that we are used to. The stories range from happy to sad to scary and even melancholy. It is a must read if you like the topic but have an open mind for artistic license.

[Bridgett · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the Arthurian mythology in "The Tenth Worthy." Some of the stories were okay, but didn't really impress me. Though I loved that they all featured unicorns (an obsession of mine).