Powerful ideas from top nonfiction
Try Blinkist to get the key ideas from 7,500+ bestselling nonfiction titles and podcasts. Listen or read in just 15 minutes.
Get started
Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
The Last Unicorn summary
Peter S. Beagle
Peter B. Gillis
Brief summary
The Last Unicorn by Peter S. Beagle is a timeless fantasy novel that follows the journey of a unicorn in a quest to discover why she is the last of her kind. It is a beautiful and enchanting tale that explores themes of love, identity, and the power of storytelling.
Topics
Table of Contents
The Last Unicorn
Summary of key ideas
The Journey of a Lonely Unicorn
In The Last Unicorn by Peter S. Beagle, we are introduced to a unicorn who lives in a lilac wood. She is the last of her kind and is unaware of this fact. She is content in her solitary life, believing that she is the only unicorn in the world. However, her peaceful existence is disrupted when she overhears two hunters discussing the disappearance of unicorns from the world. This revelation fills her with a sense of foreboding and loneliness, prompting her to leave her forest in search of her lost kin.
As she embarks on her journey, the unicorn encounters a bumbling magician named Schmendrick, who is unable to perform magic properly. Schmendrick, recognizing the unicorn's true nature, offers to help her in her quest. Together, they set out to find the other unicorns, with Schmendrick hoping that by helping the unicorn, he will finally be able to perform real magic.
Meeting the Red Bull and the Lady Amalthea
During their journey, the unicorn and Schmendrick encounter Molly Grue, a middle-aged woman who is disillusioned with life. She joins them, drawn by the unicorn's presence and the hope of experiencing something magical. The trio's quest leads them to King Haggard's castle, where they discover that the unicorns have been herded into the sea by the Red Bull, a creature controlled by King Haggard's will.
While trying to free the unicorns, the unicorn is captured by the Red Bull and transformed into a human woman named Lady Amalthea. In her human form, she loses all memory of her true identity and her quest. Schmendrick and Molly Grue, who are also captured, are unable to help her remember, and they are forced to serve King Haggard.
The Loss of Identity and Love
As Lady Amalthea, the unicorn becomes a source of fascination for King Haggard's son, Prince Lír. Lír falls in love with her, but she remains distant and unresponsive, consumed by her own internal struggle to remember her true nature. Meanwhile, Schmendrick and Molly Grue, who have also lost hope, are resigned to their fate.
Despite her human form, Lady Amalthea retains some of her unicorn qualities, and she is able to communicate with the unicorns trapped in the sea. She learns from them that they have accepted their fate, choosing to remain in the sea rather than face the Red Bull. This revelation deeply affects her, and she begins to remember her true identity.
The Final Confrontation and Redemption
Driven by her regained memories and her love for Lír, Lady Amalthea confronts the Red Bull. Schmendrick, who has finally unlocked his true magical potential, helps her by transforming the Red Bull into a harmless creature. The unicorns, freed from their captivity, return to the world, and Lady Amalthea is transformed back into her unicorn form.
As the unicorns leave, Lír, heartbroken by the loss of Lady Amalthea, finds solace in the fact that he was able to love her, even if only for a short time. Schmendrick and Molly Grue, who have both found renewed hope and purpose, continue their journey, while the unicorn, no longer the last of her kind, returns to her lilac wood.
Conclusion
In conclusion, The Last Unicorn is a poignant and timeless tale that explores themes of identity, love, and the passage of time. It delves into the human experience through the eyes of mythical creatures, offering profound insights into the nature of existence and the power of love. The story's bittersweet ending leaves us with a sense of loss and hope, reminding us of the beauty and fragility of life.
How do we create content on this page?
More knowledge in less time
Read or listen
Get the key ideas from nonfiction bestsellers in minutes, not hours.
Find your next read
Get book lists curated by experts and personalized recommendations.
Shortcasts New
We’ve teamed up with podcast creators to bring you key insights from podcasts.
What is The Last Unicorn about?
The Last Unicorn by Peter S. Beagle is a captivating fantasy novel that follows a unicorn on a quest to find others of her kind. Along the way, she encounters a colorful cast of characters and faces challenges that test her strength and courage. Filled with beautiful prose and thought-provoking themes, this timeless tale explores the power of love, the nature of identity, and the importance of staying true to oneself.
The Last Unicorn Review
The Last Unicorn (1968) is a fascinating fantasy novel that captivates readers with its unique storyline. Here's why this book is definitely worth reading:
- With its beautiful prose, the book weaves a magical and enchanting tale that transports readers to a world filled with mythical creatures and extraordinary adventures.
- The author skillfully explores themes of identity, love, and sacrifice, adding depth and complexity to the story and giving readers plenty to ponder.
- Unlike typical fantasy novels, The Last Unicorn offers a fresh perspective by focusing on the inner journey of the protagonist, allowing readers to connect with her on a deeply emotional level.
Who should read The Last Unicorn?
- Readers who enjoy fantasy and fairy tales
- Those looking for a thought-provoking and emotionally captivating story
- People who appreciate lyrical and beautifully written prose
Categories with The Last Unicorn
Book summaries like The Last Unicorn
People ❤️ Blinkist
Sven O.
It's highly addictive to get core insights on personally relevant topics without repetition or triviality. Added to that the apps ability to suggest kindred interests opens up a foundation of knowledge.
Thi Viet Quynh N.
Great app. Good selection of book summaries you can read or listen to while commuting. Instead of scrolling through your social media news feed, this is a much better way to spend your spare time in my opinion.
Jonathan A.
Life changing. The concept of being able to grasp a book's main point in such a short time truly opens multiple opportunities to grow every area of your life at a faster rate.
Renee D.
Great app. Addicting. Perfect for wait times, morning coffee, evening before bed. Extremely well written, thorough, easy to use.
People also liked these summaries
4.7 Stars
Average ratings on iOS and Google Play
36 Million
Downloads on all platforms
10+ years
Experience igniting personal growth
The Last Unicorn FAQs
What is the main message of The Last Unicorn?
The Last Unicorn is a tale of love, loss, and the importance of embracing one's true identity.
How long does it take to read The Last Unicorn?
The reading time for The Last Unicorn varies depending on the reader, but it typically takes several hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is The Last Unicorn a good book? Is it worth reading?
The Last Unicorn is a captivating and timeless story worth exploring, filled with enchantment and thought-provoking themes.
Who is the author of The Last Unicorn?
The Last Unicorn was written by Peter S. Beagle.
What to read after The Last Unicorn?
If you're wondering what to read next after The Last Unicorn, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- Where Good Ideas Come From by Steven Johnson
- The Art Of Non-Conformity by Chris Guillebeau
- A Whole New Mind by Daniel H. Pink
- Theory U by C. Otto Scharmer
- The Design of Everyday Things by Donald A. Norman
- The Innovator ’s Dilemma# by Clayton M. Christensen
- The War of Art by Steven Pressfield
- Creativity, Inc. by Ed Catmull with Amy Wallace
- Think Like a Freak by Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner
- The Laws of Simplicity by John Maeda