The juxtaposition of descriptive images worked better than the language tones, but even that was not. On its own merit, the parts of this fit together oddly, disjointedly, an ill-mesh of classic and very modern language tones. Every so often, as I was reading it, a familiar line will appear that I remember from the published version and it was like seeing a spark of magic in the mud.

This original unpublished version is missing all the heart. Wow, I am glad that Beagle rewrote The Last Unicorn. The words flow like water down a mountain and over the plains to the sea: sometimes calm and smooth as glass, sometimes bouncing and burbling over stones and roots, always ringing of truth, honesty, and sincerity. Melancholy, yes, but not at all hopeless or dreary.

As with Wilde's own work, Sorrow is practically personified and recognized as making Joy that much sweeter and more meaningful than a simple pleasure who has no recognition or acknowledgement of pain. I've been reading a lot of Oscar Wilde lately, and though Beagle doesn't reference him as being an influence, and in fact is quite the opposite of WIlde in his attitude regarding the worth of fairy tales, the writing is strikingly similar and I think Wilde would have appreciated both versions of The Unicorn. I loved reading his introduction and afterword it provides a beautifully rich context for both this first iteration and the Last Unicorn book/movie fans know and love.

I have to admit the thought crossed my mind to 'lose' it and pay the library for it, but of course I won't do that! I'm so glad the Abilene Public Library had what Austin did not, and I'll happily keep the good karma going to ensure as many copies of this treasure can be enjoyed by as many people as possible. What a treat! I had to request this through interlibrary loan, and the copy I received is a pristine First Edition, number 87 of 1000 signed by the author, with beautifully embossed end papers.

The last unicorn the lost version