Black Unicorn

Overview of "Black Unicorn" by Tanith Lee

Plot Summary: "Black Unicorn" is the first novel in Tanith Lee's Unicorn Series, published in 1991. The story revolves around Tanaquil, a 16-year-old girl who lives in her mother Jaive's isolated desert fortress. Tanaquil is not magically gifted like her mother but excels at repairing mechanical items. One day, an inquisitive creature called a peeve uncovers the skeleton of a unicorn in the desert. Tanaquil reassembles the skeleton using the sparkling bones, and to her surprise, her work brings the unicorn back to life. The unicorn's escape into the desert spurs Tanaquil to chase after it, embarking on a quest to experience the world for the first time. As she follows the unicorn, Tanaquil discovers that it needs her help to return to its own world, and in doing so, she learns about herself and the world around her.

Key Themes:

1. Self-Discovery: The novel explores Tanaquil's journey of self-discovery as she navigates her own identity and the world beyond her mother's fortress.
2. Human Connection: The story highlights the importance of human connection and relationships, particularly between Tanaquil and the black unicorn, as well as her interactions with other characters like Princess Lizra.
3. Imperfection and Messiness: The book emphasizes coping with the imperfections and messiness of the world, as Tanaquil learns to accept and understand the complexities of reality.
4. Feminism: An understated current of feminism runs throughout the novel, reflecting themes of female empowerment and the challenges faced by women in patriarchal societies.

Critical Reception:

• Positive Reviews: Critics praise the book for its unique blend of humor and mythic quality. The story is described as "charming, disarming," and "original," with a strong, independent young female lead character.
• Comparisons: Some reviewers note that the book stands on its own without needing to be compared to other fantasy works, such as Harry Potter or Tolkien's works, due to its originality and sparkle.
• Themes and World-Building: The novel's world-building and narrative structure are commended for their complexity and depth. The representation of the black unicorn as a symbol of Tanaquil's private self and the conflict between internal and external selves is particularly noted.

Overall, "Black Unicorn" is a compelling young adult fantasy novel that explores themes of self-discovery, human connection, and the imperfections of the world, set against a richly detailed and imaginative backdrop.