Unicorns in Classic Lit?

[mercymyqueen]

I just realized that, though it's one of the most enigmatic and popular mythical animals invented, I've never heard of any novels containing it except a handful of half-assed fantasy series. That's not what I'm looking for. I'm open to looking up anything you people think is awesome, but I'd prefer something older, something with acclaim.

I'm going to justify putting this here and not in fantasy by saying I'm mainly scouting for classics :)

I'd also prefer something where the unicorn is the focal point


After all that suggestion nonsense, let's discuss the literature :) *nods*

[Pecksie]

I'm sure Borges in 'The Book of Imaginary Beings' deals with the unicorn in his usual tongue-in-cheek, mock-serious manner.

Also, for a taste of 'the real thing', try some medieval bestiary. They are wonderfully informative, and often unexpectedly poetic :)

[mercymyqueen]

that sounds fabulous! Thank you

[a_little_wisp]

Oh, my dear, well it's one of my classics (and my favorite book ever xD), and it's beautiful written -

You won't be able to forget the title either:

The Last Unicorn, by Peter S. Beagle. He is, I believe, the master at bringing the Unicorn to life.

An excerpt, the first lines of the book - no spoilers, I promise:

"The Unicorn lived in a lilac wood, and she lived all alone. She was very old, though she did not know it, and she was no longer the careless color of sea foam, but rather the color of snow falling on a moonlit night. But her eyes were still clear and unwearied, and she still moved like a shadow on the sea. "