Unicorns
We’ve all seen them, these beautiful white horses with their single horn. These magical creatures are probably my favorite mythical being (along with water sprites and dryads). They’ve appeared throughout history (they are even mentioned several times in the Bible). Most recently they’ve appeared in movies and literature such as Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, Legend, Stardust. My favorite book dedicated strictly to this magnificent creature is “The Last Unicorn” by Peter S. Beagle.
It is about the story of a unicorn who, upon learning she is the last of her kind, goes on a quest to find out what happened to all the other unicorns of the world. She learns that the Red Bull has herded all of her kind to the ends of the earth. Along her way to Haggrad’s (the keeper of the Red Bull) castle, she is captured, set free, made human, and eventually comes face to face with the Red Bull. It is a beautiful story of the loss of innocence and coming to terms with regret and our own mortality.
The book was made into an animated classic in 1982 and features the vocal talents of Alan Arkin, Mia Farrow, Robert Klein, Angela Lansbury, and Christopher Lee to name just a few. If you have children between the ages of 9 and 12, I highly recommend this book. The film is not Disney-esque. It was produced by Rankin/Bass and is unique in its animation style. The soundtrack is performed by America.
I hope you give the book and the movie a try. It is a beautiful story.
Related articles
- The Last Unicorn (faccioquelloche.wordpress.com)
- Are Unicorns in the Bible and Why Did Medievals Own Unicorn Horns? (cantuar.blogspot.com)
- Unicorns
YA Chit Chat 
The Last Unicorn was my daughter’s favourite movie as a kid. I didn’t realize it was based on a book. When my niece was a teen, she was obsessed with unicorns – so much so that she asked me to make her a mural of unicorns on her bedroom wall. Now that she has a step-daughter, she might be interested in re-acquainting herself with these mythical creatures so the young one can love them as much as she did. I will mention the book to both her and my daughter. 🙂
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What a gorgeous photo! Unicorns are one of my favourite mythical beings, too, besides mermaids and Chinese dragons. I have to watch The Last Unicorn again. Been ages since I last saw it.
J.C. Martin
A to Z Blogger
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I LOVED The Last Unicorn movie as a child! Recently, though, I watched it with my daughter and thought it was sort of bizarre. Funny how our perspective changes as we age. 🙂 Great idea for a U post, Jenny!
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I remember that movie, but I had no idea it was a book. 🙂 Looks like I’ll be adding a book to my shelf in the near future!
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I love the sound of the book. I know I’d enjoy it based on your lovely description. 🙂
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This movie haunted me . . . I mean that in the best possible way. As a child, I can remember sitting in front of the television and being captivated by the story. The purity of the unicorn, the iniquity of the beast which seeks to keep her captive, and the brave hero risking his life to save her. You are most definitely correct; this is NOT a Disney film.
I had no idea this was a book in addition to being a film. This is one I would want in my meager collection of literature. 🙂
Thanks, Jenny! Bless you, lovely lady.
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