Post by Skullman on Aug 1, 2013 21:09:00 GMT
As good a topic as any, I guess. Inspired by a nearly-written post from another topic.
Anyway. Share stuff you like and recommendations and stuff.
I'll begin with a book that I discovered not long ago (as in, less than two years ago) : The Last Unicorn (1968), by Peter S. Beagle.
It follows the story of a unicorn, who one day overhears hunters saying she might be the last of her kind. She embarks on a quest to find the others, and meets with a handful of companions : Schmendrick, an incompetent wizard cursed to eternal youth, and Molly Grue, a former bandit, bitter with her life.
It's a story about immortality and its problems, about the disappearance of magic and wonder from the world, about regret, love, and it's a story about stories. But one of the most fascinating characters is King Haggard, the main antagonist ; a cold-hearted tyrant who has a single source of happiness is the sight of unicorns. If it means no one else must see them, then so be it. But on the other hand, he's a pitiable old man, who does anything to keep the one thing that brings him joy close to him.
Before getting the book, I'd recommend watching the 1982 animated adaptation ; some points of the story are glossed over (like the origin of Schmendrick's curse, or Haggard's soldiers), but is otherwise faithful, and has one excellent argument : Christopher Lee voicing King Haggard. And monologuing. It is glorious.
The soundtrack is provided by the band America, and is one of the few musics that drives me to tears.
There is also a comic-book adaptation by IDW, with gorgeous art and collected in a beautiful hardcover. It's rather faithful as well, and visually different enough from the animated movie to justify reading it.
Anyway, feel free to disagree with me, or recommend other material.
Anyway. Share stuff you like and recommendations and stuff.
I'll begin with a book that I discovered not long ago (as in, less than two years ago) : The Last Unicorn (1968), by Peter S. Beagle.
It follows the story of a unicorn, who one day overhears hunters saying she might be the last of her kind. She embarks on a quest to find the others, and meets with a handful of companions : Schmendrick, an incompetent wizard cursed to eternal youth, and Molly Grue, a former bandit, bitter with her life.
It's a story about immortality and its problems, about the disappearance of magic and wonder from the world, about regret, love, and it's a story about stories. But one of the most fascinating characters is King Haggard, the main antagonist ; a cold-hearted tyrant who has a single source of happiness is the sight of unicorns. If it means no one else must see them, then so be it. But on the other hand, he's a pitiable old man, who does anything to keep the one thing that brings him joy close to him.
Before getting the book, I'd recommend watching the 1982 animated adaptation ; some points of the story are glossed over (like the origin of Schmendrick's curse, or Haggard's soldiers), but is otherwise faithful, and has one excellent argument : Christopher Lee voicing King Haggard. And monologuing. It is glorious.
The soundtrack is provided by the band America, and is one of the few musics that drives me to tears.
There is also a comic-book adaptation by IDW, with gorgeous art and collected in a beautiful hardcover. It's rather faithful as well, and visually different enough from the animated movie to justify reading it.
Anyway, feel free to disagree with me, or recommend other material.
THEY'RE WALKING LIKE... a Russian
: Dustman of Cossack's Comrades