The Last Unicorn
Posted by u l a n on Sunday, December 10, 2006 at 9:53 AM.
I saw the animated film of The Last Unicorn when I was a kid. I only got to read the book it was based on recently.
The Last Unicorn
is a gem of a book. The writing is exquisite and leads you gently into the world of the Unicorn by the hand, but only up to the edge where you can see the story unfolding. In some ways, I got the feeling that I was watching from a respectable distance. I thought it suited the story well, this tone.
I was amazed at the skill of the author in using words. The text was brilliant, and I don't mean it in a "genius" kind of way (although genius would apply as well). The words, they seemed to me both accurate and elusive. It's like turning a many faceted gem, and it seems as though you can't see the thing straight, having all these subtle sparkles winking at you. And I think that was perfect for describing the unicorn, the magic. It's awesome. While reading, I felt like watching the unicorn, but not seeing it completely because of whatever magic that enveloped it.
That's not to say the text was difficult. Not at all. And it's not tiring. As my friend Benc brought up, the story is a mix of myth and pop culture. You'll see the pop elements scattered here in there and it makes a really good mix. The popness of it doesn't dilute the magic. And the magic doesn't become too heavy because of the popness.
The story itself is beautiful, too. It possesses a bittersweetness that moves you, not unlike Hans Christian Andersen's tales.
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The Last Unicorn
is a gem of a book. The writing is exquisite and leads you gently into the world of the Unicorn by the hand, but only up to the edge where you can see the story unfolding. In some ways, I got the feeling that I was watching from a respectable distance. I thought it suited the story well, this tone. I was amazed at the skill of the author in using words. The text was brilliant, and I don't mean it in a "genius" kind of way (although genius would apply as well). The words, they seemed to me both accurate and elusive. It's like turning a many faceted gem, and it seems as though you can't see the thing straight, having all these subtle sparkles winking at you. And I think that was perfect for describing the unicorn, the magic. It's awesome. While reading, I felt like watching the unicorn, but not seeing it completely because of whatever magic that enveloped it.
That's not to say the text was difficult. Not at all. And it's not tiring. As my friend Benc brought up, the story is a mix of myth and pop culture. You'll see the pop elements scattered here in there and it makes a really good mix. The popness of it doesn't dilute the magic. And the magic doesn't become too heavy because of the popness.
The story itself is beautiful, too. It possesses a bittersweetness that moves you, not unlike Hans Christian Andersen's tales.
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