Peter S. Beagle's “The Last Unicorn” A Critical Companion

This book assesses the work of one of the foundational figures of American fantasy, Peter S. Beagle. Through its focused analysis of The Last Unicorn, this study contextualises Beagle’s work in relation to the popularity of the fantasy genre, following its growing success in the aftermath of Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings. In addition, through reference to the film adaptation of The Last Unicorn and also Beagle’s other works, this study highlights the author’s longevity and the influence that his metafictional and comedic work has had on contemporary fantasy. 

Chapter 1: Beagle’s Early Career and a New Chapter in American Fantasy.- Chapter 2: Death and the Desire for Deathlessness: Beagle and J. R. R. Tolkien on Fantasy and Mortality.- Chapter 3: Unicorn Lore: The Multiple Mythologies Behind The Last Unicorn.- Chapter 4: Metafiction and Metafantasy: Comic Fantasy as Mirror for the Genre.- Chapter 5: Unicorn Variations: Continuity and Change in the Many Versions of The Last Unicorn.- Chapter 6: Conclusion: Peter S. Beagle’s Immortal Unicorn.

Timothy S. Miller is an Assistant Professor of English at Florida Atlantic University, USA, where he contributes to the department’s MA degree concentration in Science Fiction and Fantasy. He has previously written a critical companion on Ursula K. Le Guin’s novel A Wizard of Earthsea for the series ‘Palgrave Science Fiction and Fantasy: A New Canon’, and now serves as series co-editor with Dr. Anna McFarlane.