Peter S. Beagle

While I knew this was the first draft of The Last Unicorn, I didn't expect it to be so very different - unlike the final version, for example, this is set in a now-modern world.

I also didn't expect it to be utterly unfinished - not in the sense of polish but in that the story just stops abruptly in the middle. (The note from the author at the end talking about the history of this story explains that he wrote himself into a corner/got stuck there.)

If I read it two years ago, I would not have affected me the same way it does now. As is, I have a habit of reading before bed during my negative thought cycle and this book drew a lot of conscious and subconscious connections. Even during the day it was tough. I spent most of it with a wet face and it took me a long time to get through but it was good and I don't regret it. Just maybe wish I'd read it much sooner.. and again much later.

The first time I read this I was.. not yet a teen?

I read it before The Last Unicorn and A Fine And Private Place. Maybe I'll wait another 20 years to read it a third time.


2017:

First story - 1 star
Second story - 2 stars

An intriguing mix of short stories that deal with very different topics. I did enjoy the several stories and their vastly different variations when compared to the typical white western univotm