The Way Home: Two Novellas from the World of The Last Unicorn

We know Peter Beagle to be a marvelously talented storyteller, and if even a sliver of a doubt existed about the accuracy of that statement it is forever erased by the two Novellas that fill these pages. I assume that you have read The Last Unicorn (and would ask why if that is not the case), and so characters found in “Two Hearts” – the likes of Shmendrick the Magician, Molly Grue, and King Lir, will be like a reunion with old friends. Protagonist Sooz is a 9-year-old girl who seeks the King’s personal intervention in ridding her village of a marauding Griffin - a fearsome creature that’s part eagle, part lion, after soldiers he had sent previously were less than successful at the task. Returning to the village she is joined by her dog Malak, and although both are told to keep clear, they witness a ferocious battle that ends not as one might expect. Giving nothing away, I will say that a certain shy but very brave Unicorn was called upon and gave crucial aid to the cause. It’s an enchanting tale that will have you smiling (and reaching for the tissues as well!) In Novella 2, Sooz is now 17 and ready to follow the instructions given her by Molly Grue eight years earlier. This an adventure story, a love story, a story about loss and about self-discovery; about those things that are truly important in one’s life. Doing what Molly told her, Sooz makes the shocking discovery that she has a sister who, Mom and Dad tell her, went away with folks called the “Dreamies” when she was little more than four years old. Sooz vows to go wherever she must to find her sister and bring her home. It’s an undertaking that proves far more complicated and tremendously more challenging than she ever imagined. I’ll leave you to discover the intricacies of her travels; to meet those who help and hinder her mission, and of course the marvelously crafted final outcome. This too is an enchanting tale, and while somewhat darker it remains infused with the rhythm and evocative nature that is found in all of Beagle’s writing.

Uno de los mejores libros de fantasía y ya un clásico.

best

I can understand that this book is not for everyone. If you love Mr. Beagle's way to write, you will find pleasure in it. If you are just looking for a continuation of the unicorn's story, you will be dissapointed. This book is more Sooz' story, than the unicorn's, although at least in the first story "Two Hearts", the unicorn together with Schmendrick, Molly and Lir play a role here. I already read it years ago in my German version of the Last Unicorn where this story was included. I like it, but it felt very fast-paced. Almost too fast to let the emotions sink in and then it is over. Still it felt like a last goodbye to the "old friends" and Sooz and her Malka are lovely characters. Then there is the sequel to the sequel, "Sooz", and everyone reading it in hope to meet the unicorn or the rest again will be truly disappointed as they don't appear at all. The pacing of this story is quite difficult. It has the great ideas about places and characters that I love in Mr. Beagles stories, but sometimes the events are told so fast that I had to read a part two or three times to realize what happend, when at other times it was the pleasent slow-pace that took enough time to describe everything in detail. I think the story itself should have been longer to give it enough time to grow and tell everything without rushing through some (often important) events, as this is what made it difficult for me to really get the characters or feel with them. But all in all, I enjoyed it nevertheless, as I love Mr. Beagle's way to write. He can write about what is written in a newspaper and I still would be enchanted. It is not about the words he uses, but the rhythm and feeling it evokes. A sweet, somehow nostalgic, somehow sad feeling paired with the soothing wisdom of someone who already lived hundreds of years. That's what I love about his books, I feel them more than I understand them (although that might sound strange :D ). So, if you want to enjoy his writing, even if this one is a little "jolty", you should read it. I am happy for every new sentence I can enjoy from him. But if your focus is more about the Last Unicorn's characters and stories, you might at least be dissapointed with the second story.

I’m bias: I find Peter S. Beagle to be a comfort storyteller from my childhood and reviewing his work is like asking me to be critical of a cheese toastie with tomato soup on a rainy night. I can’t do it. To me, personally, his style is uniquely his own that’s a hypnotic blend of hygge and saudade that scratches an itch most therapists won’t touch. The physical hardcover book is aesthetically appealing and should withstand years of reading and re-reading. If you know someone who loved the animated movie The Last Unicorn (which I suspect is how most of his current fans found him) or if you want a fantasy collection that’s more than LoTR and HP I strongly suggest you start here.