The Way Home

Two Novellas from the World of The Last Unicorn

By: Peter S. Beagle

Narrated by: Orlagh Cassidy

Length: 5 hrs and 22 mins

Publisher's summary

Renowned author Peter S. Beagle returns to the world of The Last Unicorn in this resonant and moving two-novella collection, featuring the award-winning “Two Hearts” and the brand-new “Sooz.”

The Last Unicorn is one of fantasy’s most revered classics, beloved by generations of readers and with millions of copies in print. Revisiting the world of that novel, Beagle’s long-awaited Hugo and Nebula-Awards-winning “Two Hearts” introduced the irrepressible Sooz on a quest to save her village from a griffin, and explored the bonds she formed with unforgettable characters like the wise and wonderful Molly Grue and Schmendrick the Magician.

In the never-before-published “Sooz,” the events of “Two Hearts” are years behind its narrator, but a perilous journey lies ahead of her, in a story that is at once a tender meditation on love and loss, and a lesson in finding your true self.

The Way Home is suffused with Beagle’s wisdom, profound lyricism, and sly wit; and collects two timeless works of fantasy.

©2023 Peter S. Beagle (P)2023 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

“With beautiful worldbuilding and tons of heart, these tender fantasies are sure to delight.”
–Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"A lovely duology that invokes the charm of The Last Unicorn while extending the magic of the original into a bigger world. Highly recommended for lovers of Beagle's classic, who are legion." –Library Journal

“Beagle brilliantly balances the bits of darkness that exist with Sooz’s drive to accomplish whatever needs to be done.” –Booklist

Absolute disappointment

For the most part, from the world of "The Last Unicorn", feels more like a way to lure fans in, only to utterly disappoint. The story in the second part is confusing, boring, and nothing about the way it's even written reminds me of "The Last Unicorn". Nothing more than a money grab... Enjoyed the narrator though.

I loved everything

The voice actor was reminiscent of the voices in the original The Last Unicorn Movie, and the stories were too. I will absolutely listen to this again after I purchase The Last Unicorn Next. I don’t know why I’ve hesitated before now. Maybe because I’ve seen the movie so much. But I should know better and that the book always has more detail and story than film adaptations.
Get this audiobook! You won’t be disappointed!!

Two hearts is amazing

And you have never heard a narrator with such ability to convey emotion and different personalities. Just amazing performance.

Was pretty good

I really liked it overall but I feel that it could of had a lot more depth. I think they had a good start but I could have been so much more.

Idk what’s wrong with people, this was beautiful.

It was wonderful to meet up with old friends again. Meeting new ones with such painfully emotional stories was an unexpected gift. The performance was amazing. You felt every word.

Not what I had hoped

I can agree that the narrator does a supurb job and does sound akin to Mia Farrow from the Last Unicorn movie but otherwise this book is boring. The narrator does great with some voice distinction and definitely with emotional expression. I love Two Hearts and it brings back the first characters. And I had hoped that Sooz would too. But only 5 chapters in and it is boring and awkwardly paced. if you were hoping to see Molly Grue, Schmendrick or the Unicorn again for the second half, be prepared for disappointment.

Sad and lovely

While the first half, the first story, is a bittersweet and wonderful epilogue to "The Last Unicorn", and should not be missed, I found that the second story was...well.....it was "only" good. Not amazing, not mediochre, just....it was ok.

Though it should be noted: The performance is one of the best I've ever heard, and it made me feel a lump in my throat several times.

I suspect I would have appreciated it more if it hadn't been connected to "The Last Unicorn", making me expect it to be similar, even if only subconciously.

Overall: Very melancholic, in a good way. Tender and sweet. Would recommend, but not insist on.

Two Hearts was a joy, The Way Home was not.

Two Hearts was lovely. I was impressed with the way King Lir remained a hero despite the ravages of time. Revisiting Molly, Schmendrick and Lir was a pleasure. Hearing Sooz tell her story was touching and sad and funny. On the other hand, the second story, Sooz, felt like a collection of unfinished ideas. I kept waiting for something to pull the disparate parts together. I kept waiting for her sister to become a real character and not just a concept. I waited -- in vain -- to see how the story had anything to do with the world of the unicorn and Molly and Schmendrick.

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Beautiful!!!

I needed more stories in this world & it did not disappoint. Peter is a master & we are so lucky to live in a world with his stories.

Surprisingly narrow and unrelatable

I adore Peter Beagle’s writing style, and hold many of his other works in high esteem. This one didn’t quite do it for me; less than a handful of narrow characters, and most of the story in a world so alien that there was nothing substantive to latch on to.