The Sword and Laser discussion

Veronica has selected The Last Unicorn by Peter S. Beagle for June

I'm having trouble finding an eBook copy :-(

It doesn't seem to have been adapted for that format

Wow, that's two Grand Masters in a row, Bradbury and Beagle

https://swordandlaser.fandom.com/wiki...

Tassie Dave wrote: "I'm having trouble finding an eBook copy :-(

It doesn't seem to have been adapted for that format"

I have the ebook. I think I got it from a Humble Bundle?

In the US at least: https://www.amazon.com/Last-Unicorn-P...

Nevermind. That's the graphic Novel adaptation..

I loved this book. Might do a re-read since it's been a few years.

So we want the dead tree version or bust? Saw two on iBooks, one that said it was an adaptation of the animated movie with Beagle as an author and another that was a six part graphic novel.

But I want this?

The Last Unicorn https://www.amazon.com/dp/0451450523

Is there no S&L purchase link?

R wrote: "So we want the dead tree version or bust? Saw two on iBooks, one that said it was an adaptation of the animated movie with Beagle as an author and another that was a six part graphic novel.

But I ..."

Just go to S&L picks (http://swordandlaser.com/picks) select one of these and then go to the book you want. The kick back will still go to the show.

I think I have to use The Book Suppository

Iain wrote: "I think I have to use The Book Suppository"

😂 That sounds uncomfortable. Or perhaps you meant depository? 😉

I got this book years ago in a humble bundle, but quickly lemmed it. It was a bit too twee for my tastes.

WOW, also looks like this months pick The Last Unicorn is no longer on Audible / Audiobook Format. It's been a long time since this has happened.

I read the graphic novel some time back. Got it from LA Library Overdrive thinking it was the regular book. Didn't mind the animated format but I think I lost a lot of the majesty due to summarization needed for graphics format. Would read in book form if I can find it. Can't deal with squintovision paperbacks, will have to be ebook (doesn't seem to be available) or large format book.

I got the written ebook back in October 2017, I think as a kindle daily deal? It is specifically called "The Last Unicorn Classic". It is listed as being 218 pages. I haven't read it yet, so I think this is as good a time as any.

The "Last Unicorn Classic" is no longer available for purchase in the US Kindle store. A quick google search doesn't seem to find anything on other stores right now. Have a hold on a paper copy from my library.

I read this last year as part of a reading project and had a hard time finding it anywhere, I eventually had to settle for the graphic novel.

No ebook, no audiobook.... looks like we are all time traveling to a simpler era!

Hmm this means I have to figure out how to be able to read in bed without my cat knocking my reading lamp off my nightstand. First world problem for sure but also cat mama problem. :D

The audiobook is available as a torrent on abbaudiobooks.com. I think it's the only way to get a hold of the audiobook. I'll had downloaded it and will keep seeding it for those interested.

The first edition of The Last Unicorn from Viking Press

The first paperback edition of The Last Unicorn. There were many printings of this edition.

The graphic novel of The Last Unicorn from 2011, with art by Renae De Liz.

Two Hearts, a coda to The Last Unicorn was published in the Oct/Nov 2005 issue of Fantasy & Science Fiction

The Goodreads record has a link to an online version of this short story.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...

This is the copy I found in a used bookstore, The Fantasy Worlds of Peter Beagle which includes four of the author's titles. The book was reprinted in paperback.

Lila the Werewolf
Come, Lady Death
The Last Unicorn
A Fine and Private Place

I too read it last year. I finally found it at a used bookstore after being sucker into pre-ordered of a Hardback edition after a showing of the film. 2 year later I found out that Peter was duped as well as me. It is a lovely tale and one that stands up,

Stephen wrote: "I finally found it at a used bookstore after being sucker into pre-ordered of a Hardback edition after a showing of the film. 2 year later I found out that Peter was duped ..."

There's a complicated legal history surrounding the intellectual property of The Last Unicorn that I've been aware of but never completely wrapped my head around. The main thing I take from it is that Conlan Press is a fraudulent business and Peter S. Beagle and the fans deserved none of it.

Jim C. Hines summarized it well in 2015: http://www.jimchines.com/2015/12/pete...

Snopes, 2017: https://www.snopes.com/news/2017/04/2...

Blogs and updates from fans:
http://fansagainstfraud.com/
http://supportpeterbeagle.com/wordpre...

Two books in a row that I've been meaning to read for decades.

I grew up watching the Rankin/Bass adaption, which was my go-to favorite film (just edging ahead of Flight of Dragons).


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aVaUZ...

I think, because the film was so important to my knee-high self I've always been a little nervous to read the original novel.

I've now cracked open the book that's been waiting for me for a lifetime and the first page is just beautifully written - a bit Bradburyesque even - so I'm feeling pretty positive!

It seems like Tom & Veronica are trying to give me a break, so that I can catch up on older book picks I haven't yet read. With Harry Potter and The Martian Chronicles that's been three classics I've already read this year.

Also, I was always confused that TLU hasn't been a book pick, so I'm glad the confusion will be over in a couple of weeks.

I did read it on my Kindle, but I can't for the life of me remember how I got the ebook.

According to ISFDB, the only ebooks of The Last Unicorn were published by Conlan Press, which is the one that's been defrauding Beagle all along. That's probably why they've been removed from Amazon/other ebook stores.

Yeah, so it looks like it was Humble Bundle: https://www.polygon.com/2013/7/3/4491...

It appears its this Conlan Press version too..

Ruth (tilltab) Ashworth wrote: "Iain wrote: "I think I have to use The Book Suppository"

😂 That sounds uncomfortable. Or perhaps you meant depository? 😉

"

It is my evil mind, ... There are certain phrases I cannot get right...

Like the BBC show Crossing Continents which I always hear as Cross Incontenants. I could get a job on a BBC radio comedy panel show :-)

In Canada, the ebook is available on kobo (available via Android app and presumably iPhone too, if you don't have a kobo ereader):

https://www.kobo.com/ca/en/ebook/the-...

I don't know how to check other regions.

edited to say never mind, I guess that's the graphic novel, too. Why isn't that included in the title?

I found the graphic novel version through my library (Libby app). The text was so small it was hard to read though.

Iain wrote: "I think I have to use The Book Suppository"

It must be an Aussie thing ;-)

Here is our worst ever PM doing the same thing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5Y5R...

This must be a little bit like what Rob felt with Theft of Swords was the pick. I've nominated The Last Unicorn the last three years I think for March Madness and it's even made the bracket a couple times, and I'm really looking forward to finally reading it!

William, I also watched the animated movie so much growing up, I hope the original doesn't let us down!

Rebecca wrote: "This must be a little bit like what Rob felt with Theft of Swords was the pick. I've nominated The Last Unicorn the last three years I think for March Madness and it's even made the bracket a coupl..."

woo!

David wrote: "According to ISFDB, the only ebooks of The Last Unicorn were published by Conlan Press, which is the one that's been defrauding Beagle all along. That's probably why they've been removed from Amazo..."

That's the version I have on my kindle too. I feel I should get a paper edition to compensate.

I had a student borrowed my copy of the Martian Chronicles last month. She was intrigued after we read "Dark They Were And Golden-eyed". I wouldn't of thought she was into Sci-fi. I love when students begin to identify their reader identity.

Now a part of me wants to recommend this one to my student but I am going to be selfish and enjoy this read for myself this month.

That’s awesome. How old are your students?

Rob wrote: "Yeah, so it looks like it was Humble Bundle: https://www.polygon.com/2013/7/3/4491...

It appears its this Conlan Press version too.."

Oh no, that's how I came across a copy as well. Bugger.

Nice. It seems I bought that humble bundle as well! #winning

Humble Bundle for me as well - now I do feel kinda bad. But I have daughter, so there is a wonderful reason for me to buy the book in hardcopy :)

This has been on my list forever! Excited to read it. For anyone looking for a cheap version, I got the mass market paperback on ThriftBooks for a little over $3 ($5 and change with shipping):

https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/the-las...

It looks like it's a bit hard to come by otherwise; my library doesn't have it, either.

After failing to find my copy of Martian Chronicles last month (I don't know if it fell apart or got weeded on the assumption that libraries would carry it) I felt triumphant when I went to the B shelf and pulled out my old copy of Last Unicorn. I guess i'm reading the paper version again.

I did a book report on The Last Unicorn in 10th grade, I wonder if I still have it somewhere.

I am looking forward to rereading the book though.

I'm struggling to get hold of this one and I have a huuuge backlog on my tbr shelf so I think I may give it a miss!

I read this for the first time just a few years ago (I'm shocked we didn't already read it, why else would I have read it?) and I think of it every time I see a butterfly. I won't ruin the reason but it's one of the cutest things in a book, tbh.

Well I hope I get to read this,

Bookshop in town.... Nope, not possible to get.. Used bookstore in town nope, library nope, nope nope.

Book Depository.... Ordered 9 days ago, hasn't shipped because they cannot get a copy. Cancelled.

Trying small book dealer on Amazon. Almost last chance saloon..

This is probably a silly question, but have you tried your local library?

Beth wrote: "This is probably a silly question, but have you tried your local library?"

Yep, No luck... Not many sixties books in our library system (also not sure how big The Last Unicorn was in the UK... not all books travel well).