Peter S. Beagle has carved a unique niche in modern fantasy literature, often associated with his beloved classic, The Last Unicorn. While this novel has achieved iconic status and spawned various adaptations, Beagle’s literary journey began with A Fine and Private Place, now considered a fantasy classic in its own right. His early career also included the non-fiction work I See By My Outfit, documenting a cross-country scooter journey. A Wallace Stegner Fellow at Stanford, he shared academic circles with notable figures like Ken Kesey and Larry McMurtry, hinting at the depth and breadth of his creative influences.
While The Last Unicorn is undoubtedly a masterpiece, it’s Beagle’s ability to weave fantastical elements into grounded, human narratives that truly sets his work apart. Summerlong exemplifies this distinctive talent. The novel centers on Abe, Joanna, and her daughter Lily. These are not ethereal, fable-like characters; instead, Beagle meticulously crafts them as complex, individualistic beings, replete with their own rich lives, internal contradictions, and struggles. The initial chapters, devoid of overt fantasy, showcase Beagle’s capability for writing deeply resonant, realistic fiction. He could, with apparent ease, immerse readers in the intricate dramas of ordinary, yet colorful lives, capturing the nuances of love, adventure, and the delicate balance between maintaining and abandoning established foundations. Such a path might lead to broader readership and financial success.
However, Beagle’s artistic inclination lies elsewhere. For him, the rich tapestry of everyday details and lived experiences serves as the fertile ground upon which a work of fantasy can be built.
Critiquing elements of Summerlong feels almost like a disservice, given the profound appreciation for the book and its characters. If there’s a singular point of contention, it’s the predictability of a central twist. This acknowledgment, however, is disingenuous. While the identities of the fantastical figures and their implications were discernible to a seasoned reader of fantasy and mythology, the unfolding human drama remained a compelling mystery. Beagle’s masterful portrayal ensures that characters react authentically, never veering into unbelievable territory. The irruption of the magical into their lives irrevocably alters their reality. Much like in classical mythology, such encounters do not guarantee an improved existence; rather, they shatter the notion of a return to the status quo. The immutable forces of myth persist, yet their intersections with the human realm leave indelible marks, often in the form of emotional wreckage.
This is precisely why Beagle’s more fable-like stories have, at times, left me feeling somewhat detached. It’s a matter of personal preference, but when Beagle demonstrates such a precise dissection of human relationships, as he does so powerfully in Summerlong, a mere fairy tale can feel insufficient. Many fantasy narratives, while fantastical in setting, often lack profound resonance due to thinly drawn characters and consequently low stakes, making it difficult for the reader to become fully invested.
The most impactful fantasy stories, in truth, depict events that fundamentally alter and reshape their characters. From the legend of King Arthur to Beowulf and The Lord of the Rings, protagonists undergo transformation, experience mortality, and are irrevocably changed. These narratives are infused with human flaws and drama, elements often sacrificed in genre fiction for the sake of spectacle. This tendency, perhaps modern or distinctly American, remains a point of divergence.
Despite this, Peter Beagle’s entire body of work commands my attention, even if the publication dates aren’t always immediately met. Even in those instances where a book doesn’t resonate as a personal favorite, its impact is undeniable. His stories are moving and contemplative explorations of the human condition. Beagle’s extraordinary skill lies in his consistent ability to integrate the magical and the fantastical into the fabric of ordinary lives, rendering these extraordinary occurrences as both natural within the narrative’s logic and seismic in their effect on those directly involved. This method mirrors the very essence of ancient stories and myths.
Summerlong is a testament to precision and beautiful prose, offering a rich reading experience even as the seasons change and characters navigate wrenching emotional landscapes. It eschews a simple, happy ending, yet it is a book that is difficult to set aside. This is not a fairy tale; it is, however, pure magic.
