I love this book even more than I loved The Last Unicorn,. Although it sounds strange to say it, this story makes unicorns seem realistic. The personalities, and the unicorns, seem possible to meet one day. It is a sweet and realistic modern-day fairy tale.

Peter S. Beagle’s spare, confident writing style isn’t influenced by current trends: multiple POV’s, epic battles, complex twists and turns. He keeps it simple, letting the story tell itself. A quiet humor pervades this fable of a unicorn that arrives to disrupt the life of an older peasant. Through the mythological, Bianchi, a reclusive and grumbling farmer, rediscovers his own humanity. The story was sweet, with an ensemble of merry mammals, and quirky villagers. One quibble: Why is it that older male authors (and film directors) so often depict a love affair in which a very young, sensual woman throws herself at an elderly curmudgeon? The youth and sexual boldness of the girl seem more like wishful thinking than necessary elements of the romantic pairing.

In Calabria
by Peter S. Beagle

Having adored The Last Unicorn, in film, and having read the book in its original format, I have adored this poignant author and his sad longing he writes about. In Calabria he captures the wonderment and beauty of the human soul, and the mythical clandestine unicorn. The films songs have always haunted me since childhood. I love the beauty of their expression and to know that Peter Beagle was involved in the screenplay I am ecstatic. To know the author’s involvement in the movie made it the masterpiece i find it.
In Calabria like the Last Unicorn, the world does not believe, until a single man, and a single woman find themselves in the presence of a Unicorn in need. Because of their temperament and and adoring belief not only is the Unicorn saved but the Unicorn is who in the end protects them. This is not the pronounced meaning of the story, but that Love, is the Unicorn around the world. Bianchi and Geo find love, and mutual devotion to each other. I am amazed by the beauty within the story, and long to read more of Bianchi Unicorn inspired poetry. The dreamy world of a small rural Italian farm being the background to the poignant tale, enhances the magic.
There is no place more sacred or magical as where a Unicorn is born.

Claudio Bianchi, a crusty not-so-old hermit, farms an aging plot of land in rural Southern Italy. At first glance, he is not very prepossessing; he’s crotchety, battered, and solitary. He also has a secret: he writes poetry. One day a unicorn appears on his land, and she too has a secret, one that will forever transform their lives. Like everything else by Peter S. Beagle I’ve ever read, this short work brims with earthy magic and tenderness. He has the ability to take a character who at first glance is not particularly appealing (middle-aged, grouchy hermit with dubious social skills and personal hygiene) and draw us into that character’s world, weaving the threads of our own disappointments, humdrum lives, deferred dreams. Claudio has all but given up on his dreams, so much so that he no longer knows what they once were until the impossibly magical creature touches the dreamer within him. In Calabria is not The Last Unicorn, but they share that sense of longing and transcendence, and offer the same thoughtful, immensely satisfying reading experience.

I was pleasantly surprised by this book. It was short (a mere 176 pages), but it packed a punch.

As the title might suggest, In Calabria – by Peter S. Beagle, the author of The Last Unicorn – takes place in Calabria, a small town in southern Italy, where Claudio Bianchi lives alone, isolated on a farm once belonging to his uncle, staunchly determined to remain in the 19th century: all he counts among his technological possessions are a telephone and a small TV that sometimes gets news channels.

Life in isolation suits Bianchi just fine…until one day he spots a pregnant golden-white unicorn on his farm. And his life will never again be the same.

This book, in my opinion, can be filed neatly with other such books as A Man Called Ove (my review here) in a curmudgeonly-old-men category. Both told the story of grumpy old men living alone, but who also go through some transformative process by a person (or in this case, by a unicorn) that invades their lives; in the end, they are still curmudgeonly, but realize there is something to live for. While I don’t think it’s fair to directly compare the two, I think they each essentially tell the same story.

I really enjoyed Beagle’s descriptions of the unicorn. I thought they were beautiful.

"La Signora surged under him as he straddled her: not as a single creature, not even as a unicorn, but as something that did not know him, a white vastness that wished him neither evil nor any recognizable good, but only its own immortal freedom and power."

I also enjoyed the fact that, while a seemingly simple story on the surface, there were deep undertones relaying messages of love, loss, and loneliness. The unicorn herself, who Bianchi dubbed “La Signora” out of respect, was herself a metaphor for what Bianchi himself had lost. It was never overly poignant or profound in the way that A Man Called Ove was, but it was deep and meaningful in a more subtle way.

Overall, I did enjoy this book – a lot more than I expected I would. I never read any of Beagle’s other works, though Summerlong has been on my TBR list for a while now. I’d rate this book a solid 3.5 stars (rounded up to 4).

Thank you to NetGalley and Tachyon Publications for a free advanced copy of this e-galley in exchange for an honest review!

This book is fun and you can just smell the hot dust of an Italian summer. I thought Beagle's "Summerlong" was better, but Calabria is a good read, with a strong earthy flavor and a touch of whimsy.

In Calabria is a quiet sort of story. It has dramatic moments, certainly, but those weren't what will stick in my mind in the slightest. What will stick in my mind is Claudio's quiet care for the unicorn, his moments of inspiration, and his love for Giovanna. He opens up, going from old curmudgeon with a heart of gold to a man who loves, who is brave, who will put himself on the line -- and it's because of the unicorn.

It's easy to read that as a kind of commentary on the humanising nature of stories. Why do myths like unicorns endure? Because they inspire us, they teach us to open up; from stories we can learn to love.

In Calabria is more like that, a fable or fairy story, though I wouldn't say it has something as simple as a moral. What's nice is that, along with the serious moments and the warmth and tenderness, there's a lot of humour as well. Like Claudio being grateful that Giovanna bought him pyjamas during a critical and dramatic moment...

[Review link live from 16th April 2017.]

http://www.speculativeherald.com/2017/03/02/review-in-calabria-by-peter-s-beagle/
In Calabria is my second book by the author Peter S Beagle, my first being Summerlong. This book has a different feel in that it’s got an earthy realism to it that was unexpected, especially when picking up a book that is clearly going to feature a unicorn. It’s quite beautifully written and the fantasy elements are very ‘quiet’ almost like an aside.

Anyway, at the start of the story we are introduced to Claudio Bianchi. Claudio is a forty something year old man living on a remote farm in Southern Italy. He values his privacy and rarely sees anyone else, other than his animals (which are almost as grumpy as he is) and the postman who regularly visits. Claudio is definitely becoming fixed in his ways and a little cantankerous. That is until a unicorn literally arrives on his property one day. I think if I was living such a solitary life and a unicorn turned up on my property I would probably think I’d gone insane and I think at first there is an element of that in Claudio’s reaction. That is until he realises that his visitor keeps returning on a regular basis and it seems has chosen Claudio’s farm to nest down and give birth.

Of course, once Claudio realises that La Signora (the name he adopts for the unicorn) is about to give birth he promises to protect her and keep her existence a secret. Unfortunately, secrets have a way of finding the light no matter how deeply you might try to bury them and this case is no exception. Pretty soon, Claudio finds his farm overrun by Paparazzi with long lens cameras all desperate for a sighting. Helicopters buzz overhead in a constant search and on top of that it seems that La Signora has come to the attention of a criminal element, the Ndrangheta, who make Claudio an offer for his farm – and offer that they expect him to accept.

And so, Claudio’s world has been turned upside down whether he wanted it to or not. He’s a stubborn man though and he’s determined to protect the unicorn until it’s given birth, even though his life and livelihood are under threat.

At the same time Claudio strikes up a tentative and unexpected relationship with a young woman called Giovanna. Giovanna is the sister to Claudio’s postman and has started to help him with his postal duties once a week. She becomes fascinated by Claudio and the two of them eventually strike up a relationship that has a certain innocence to it. It may be that this relationship won’t be for everyone what with Claudio being a much older man than Giovanna but I thought it was well portrayed and written in a very simple style. I think the only thing that did give me pause for thought was that in Summerlong, similarly, Beagle writes about an older man and his involvement with a much younger woman (although it is actually much more complicated than that). The main focus of both books, I felt, is about second chances and I think that both books have that particular theme in common.

Did the unicorn choose Claudio’s farm because of it’s remoteness or seclusion or was it drawn there to jolt him out of his life of loneliness. I don’t think, at the end of the day, that the unicorn really needed anything from Claudio, and I don’t think that Claudio felt he needed anything from the unicorn – but in spite of that the very presence of this glorious and mythical beast is the catalyst for change and without doubt the two of them eventually do help each other.

Would I recommend In Calabria? Yes. This is a short story, it’s beautifully written and Beagle’s prose easily conjures up the region. The harsh lifestyle and the beauty offset by the rugged. If you’re expecting an all out fantasy in which the main protagonist befriends the unicorn then you’re not going to find it here. Be in no doubt that this unicorn is not just a mythical creature but is also a wild animal – she’s not about to start talking to Claudio or inviting him to ride around on her back while she traverses rainbows in the sky. Not that sort of novel. This unicorn is really, put simply, a creature that provokes change. Her appearance changes Claudio irretrievably and brings something different out in him, something that makes him appear different to others and gives him a shot at shaking his life out of the stupor into which it’s fallen.

Beautifully simplistic, wonderful prose, subdued fantasy, a hint of romance tempered with an underlying streak of potential violence.

I enjoyed this in fact I was fascinated by it enough to read it in one sitting. It was very unusual and quite different than I expected.

I thought I was reading a book about unicorns, only to discover midway through that it's a book about humans. With unicorns. Beautifully written, it's a chance to ponder what to do with the unexpected in life -- unicorns showing up on your little farm -- when so much else is expected, such as how people will react. Enjoy!

Thanks, Netgalley, for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Like most people who are able to read and enjoy fantasy, I have a tremendous amount of respect for Peter S. Beagle. That's not to say I'm a real fan, however; he's a remarkable writer, and uses language like a virtuoso uses a violin, but I've just never warmed to him.

And <I>In Calabria</i> is a perfect example of why. It's a beautiful book. The characters are marvelous. The intrusion of the rare and beautiful into the life of a reclusive and misanthropic man is intense and utterly real.

But, for me, there's some … <i>thing</i> lacking. I have no idea what. Something holds me back, creates a distance. It was gorgeous and I'm glad I read it, and parts of it will stay with me – but, still…

In any case… while neither this nor any of the other Beagles I've read will ever be my very favorite book, it was still a remarkable experience. I saw one review which complained that there was nothing new here, that Beagle has "done" unicorns before, didn't have to do it again – but I think that's … well, insane. It's been a while since I read <i>The Last Unicorn</i>, but I don't think this bears much of a resemblance to that, apart from the obvious: the cataclysmic effect a creature of legend can have on ordinary life. It's not a well, which can be dipped into too often - it's a river, a force of nature, never the same two moments running. Maybe that's why I've never been fonder of Peter Beagle - his extraordinarily comforting last name notwithstanding, his are simply not comfortable books.

The usual disclaimer: I received this book via Netgalley for review.

When Peter S. Beagle’s name shares a cover with a picture of a unicorn, it’s easy to make assumptions. Let me assure you that In Calabria is nothing at all like The Last Unicorn. Though it features the same creature, this story is not a fairytale. It’s a journey of discovery and redemption with just enough magic to inspire you to believe the impossible.

(The rest of the review is forthcoming from Buzzymag.com, will update with the link when it is posted.)

I'm not really sure what I think about this story. Claudio as a character is interesting: this older, grumpy man who lives & enjoys his life of seclusion on his farm whose world & outlook are slowly changed by a pregnant unicorn & a new mail courier.

While I enjoyed the unicorn inserted into today's modern society & all the strangeness that goes along with that, I wonder if I would've enjoyed the story more had it just been a story of Claudio & the Unicorn. While Giovanna served a purpose, the whole May-December romance wasn't needed, when they could've easily shared affection for each other as a man & young lady who've known each other since she was a child. But then, I don't know that the changes is Claudio would have manifested in the same way of Giovanna were not part of the story.
I'll definitely be thinking about this for a while & may end up editing the review if my thoughts change, but for now, the story was enjoyable. The ending was a little blah, but the story was good.

A short book, but not exactly a quick read, Beagle's second new book in less than a year has some familiar themes (the transience of immortal beings, their impact on humans, how love shapes people) and a completely new setting. I think that this book NEEDED to be set in Calabria, a remote part of Italy where our main character lives much as his forebears did for generations, and in doing so, the setting absolutely became one of the most important characters in the book.

I was pleased with the story's definite arc, and the prose was excellent, as I would expect from Beagle.

If you want fantasy set in the real world, but prefer mythic fiction rather than urban fantasy, this should be on your must-buy list.

What Worked
A hallmark of Peter S. Beagle’s work is his light touch with weighty subjects. In Calabria is about a man entering the winter of his years. He has regrets and is alone. It’s the quirky details that make Bianchi’s life real. His farm is populated with Cherubino the goat, Garibaldi the dog, and the cats: Sophia, Mezzanotte, and Third Cat. He has a comfortable life, but perhaps a life devoid of poetry. His visitor, a unicorn, changes all that. For better and maybe worse.

The writing is lovely, of course. Lyrical and poetical, though we are rarely treated to Bianchi’s work. ;)

The story winds out to a conclusion that might not be satisfying for some, but I liked it well enough.

What Didn’t Work
I’m not sure Beagle’s forte is ever works set in the “real” world, in the present day. Would an older man manage to survive such violence against him that is presented in the book? Eh… I don’t know.

This is also the second work in a row for Beagle in which an older male character ends up in a relationship with a much younger woman. At a certain point in my life, I might have found these May to December plot lines to be charming. But now? I guess I’d like to see an older man in a new relationship with an older woman.

Definitely not as good as The Last Unicorn, or even Summerlong, but I'm sure it will please some fantasy fans. Predictable, but the lyrical prose lifts it to a satisfying read, if not an enchanting one.

Hmm. I'm having a hard time deciding on a rating with this novel (more like a novella in length).

Claudio Bianchi owns a farm in the small Italian village of Calabria. He's grumpy, likes his privacy, and writes poems he shares with no one. In his late forties, his only friend is a young postman who comes a few times a week to deliver the mail. Oh, and his goat. Two things converge to break his comforting privacy: a pregnant unicorn appears on his farm, and the postman's younger sister starts delivering the mail on Friday. Suddenly, his comfortable, isolated existence crumbles. Word spreads of the unicorn on his property, and soon the media begins to hound him, and then a mafia-type group--the 'Ndrangheta--shows up, wanting the farm.

The unicorn scenes are the most powerful of the novel. I love the idea of a unicorn appearing in a contemporary setting, and how the unicorn inspires Bianchi to write even more poetry, the best he's ever written. I wish we could've read a poem or two!

It's Bianchi's romantic relationship with Giovanna, the young postmistress, that gives me pause. I read [book:Summerlong|29771527] last year, where a similar middle-aged man and a just out of teen years woman form a romantic relationship. I was more receptive to the relationship in Summerlong because the girl ends up being a goddess. But...another book with this relationship dynamic? Um. And Bianchi constantly bemoans how he doesn't deserve such a young girl, how she should leave him, and how it's her that instigates the relationship, not him.

Uh huh. 'Sure.' I hear you.

Okay, so that's weird. The ending also felt...wrong for the novel. It felt like the novel was trying to be longer than it was meant to be, so the 'Ndrangheta were added to create length and a more thrilling plot. But I enjoyed the quiet moments the best, and for me, the main plot was about Bianchi trying to rediscover who he is, and how he can interact with the world and rejoin society. I would've loved to see him publish some of those poems!

For now, my rating is 2.5/5. I'm not sure if I'm going to like this less or more the farther away I am from it.

Thanks to Netgalley and Tachyon Publications for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Posted on Goodreads 01/12/2017. Will be posted on Amazon on Publish Date.]

[Review posted on blog--margaretkingsbury.com--and Amazon. 02/07/2017]

On the surface, Claudio Bianchi seems a bit of a curmudgeon. He’s grumpy, prefers solitude, avoids most human contact outside of the man who delivers his mail every Friday or the man’s sister who occasionally takes his place. In fact, Bianchi’s only close friendships are with the animals on his farm. But there is another side to him, one rarely seen by others – he writes poetry, not good poetry by his own admission and nothing he would show others despite the teasing he gets about it but it gives him comfort in his loneliness. Then one day, a pregnant unicorn appears and makes her nest in his field and soon Bianchi’s life is turned upside down. The unicorn’s arrival will bring chaos and even danger as people learn about her existence. But it will also bring love and a kind of purpose and contentment to his life that Bianchi never thought he’d find.

In Calabria is the latest book by author Peter S. Beagle. It s a relatively short book, almost a novella, and is written in the beautifully lyrical prose he is best known for. It is an engaging and heartwarming tale similar in some ways to his earlier and most famous book, The Last Unicorn, combining and contrasting the noise, chaos, and loneliness of modernity with the magic and happily-ever-after of a Grimms fairy tale awaiting the protagonist as long as he remains brave against all odds and keeps his promise to protect the innocent.

<i>Thanks to Netgalley and Tachyon Publishing for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review</i>

Despite being familiar, and loving, "The Last Unicorn", I didn't actually read Beagle's novel, knowing it instead from the animated movie and the recently published comic book adaptation. "In Calabria" is thus my introduction to Beagle's writing, and it wasn't particularly impressive. Maybe it's because the unicorn plot is much weaker than its big sibling "The Last Unicorn", or because I've read so much about unicorns that it's no longer enough to give me a story that centers mainly around the sudden appearance of one in a human's life, forcing them to take care of it and hide it from evildoers. This is a short novella, but it lacks a depth and life to it that would give it some sense of completeness and emotion, like when you read a short story and feel like you've managed to explore a whole world in such a small space. I didn't care for Claudio and his love interest that, really, felt like it came out of nowhere, despite being predictable. For all the effort Beagle put into making Claudio feel more like a grumpy old man, that's exactly what he felt like. I wanted more of the unicorn and less of Claudio, without the fabricated romance or turning the unicorn into an object of attention that needs to be saved and wrestled over. Rather quick but forgettable read, a disappointing one considering what Beagle has done with unicorns in the past.

3.5 stars.

This charming little fable is a tale of what can happen when the miraculous imposes on the ordinary. It tells the story of the cantankerous Calabrian farmer Claudio Bianchi, who lives alone on a remote farm with his half-wild cats, his dog Garibaldi, his cows and his goat Cherubino. He shuns company and can go weeks at a time without seeing anyone but the cheery young postman Romano. All he wants is peace and quiet, to till his earth and write his poetry. But then, one day, he sees a unicorn in his vineyard.


Although the unicorn is very real to Bianchi, its function in the story also seems to be allegorical. For Bianchi, who grows to care for it, it represents the wondrous in a life that has grown sad and stale. It brings him clarity of thought, clarity of perception and a rush of vivid inspiration. Its presence reaches down towards his heart, through the layers of a soul that has slowly been ossifying from the outside in, and awakens him to the possibility of changing his life, even now. It’s a startling thought. Perhaps, rather than falling into the twilight of his life, he still has the chance to make a new start?

I wasn’t entirely convinced by the ending, and everyone seems admirably unfazed by the idea that unicorns are actually real (it wasn’t clear whether or not we were in a parallel reality) but, nevertheless, this 176-page story is a perfect palate-cleanser between longer books. If I were to read The Last Unicorn and some of Beagle’s other works, I daresay I’d get more sense of the context within which Bianchi’s story unfolds. For now, knowing nothing of the author’s world, I simply found this cosy and heartwarming: a spritz of Southern Italian sunshine for the soul.

For the full review, please visit my blog on the link given below:
https://theidlewoman.net/2017/01/09/in-calabria-peter-s-beagle/