Customer Reviews
This is a story that will stay with you - By: Pookie, 19 Oct 2008 
I first read this book soon after it's publication, & the tale has stayed with me. I was ecstatic at being able to get hold of a hardback copy, as my paperback is looking every day of it's 20 years of age.
Libby Quarrell is a divorcee rancher living on the edge of insolvency when she hear that her ex-husband's gay cousin has contracted AIDS, & is dying. Her ex-husband & his family do not understand the disease, & are too scared to care for Bo in his final illness.
At the same time, whilst out checking her herds, she & her Native American ranch-hand Sam Coldpony discover that they seem to be living near a "thin spot" where two worlds can cross over- a world in which unicorns reallly exist.
The unicorns are crossing into this world.
The unicorns are dying.
They seem to be suffering similar symptoms to cousin Bo, & the local vet is callled in to help. The news leaks, Sam's daughter discovers her father's whereabouts, & breaks off from her shaman training to find him after her mother commits suicide.
This is a wonderful story, full of love & compassion at every turn, & I would not hesitate to recommend it.
A book not to be missed - By: , 06 Nov 2003 I very nearly didn't read this book. I don't tend to bother with anything which has unicorns in the title or on the cover. But I'd read a few of Bishop's books & enjoyed them, so I gave it a go. Boy, am I glad I did. Not your cutesy, fey fantasy at alll. It's a book set in modern day, about the mistreatment of individuals & of American Indians, about someone dying of AIDS, about some odd paralllel universe where unicorns are dying of some mysterious wasting disease... And yet. And yet. This is the most uplifting, most life-affirming book I have ever read. Within a few pages I KNEW the protagonists (superb characterisation), & I wanted to know them better. I have lent this to several friends, & every time, before they were half-way through, they were thanking me profusely for recommending it, & requesting that if I ever came across a second-hand copy I had to, absolutely had to, snap it up for them. This even includes a friend who doesn't read SF & hardly reads much at alll. I cannot rave about this book enough. It will warm your heart & make you feel good inside -- about life, about the world & about humanity.
Michael Bishop's best, at least that I've read, & one of my alll-time favourite books.
