The Little Book of Unicorns

This is a new book. Condition: Brand New.

This elusive creature was originally thought to inhabit the edge of the known world. Biblical and classical material, travellers' tales, clerical writings and theological speculation influenced the perceived appearance of this noble beast, but the graceful white horse with a single long horn remains is most recognisable embodiment. The medieval unicorn became a potent symbol of religious and secular love which has continued to inspire poets, writers and artists.

As belief in the unicorn's reality waned, a renewed interest in the medieval past provided a context for it to flourish once again as a subject for art, literature and mystical meditation. Nineteenth- and twentieth-century medievalism infused pictorial and poetic unicorn imagery with an aura of romantic nostalgia that paved the way for its dramatic revival: it gained wings and took flight within the genre of fantasy literature. More recently unicorns have inspired a variety of contemporary trends, from merchandising to financial rhetoric, and the 'animal that never was' shows no sign of disappearing.

Book details and technical specifications

Format: Hardback
ISBN13: 9780712355797
Published: April 2026

Number of pages: 96
Width: 151 mm
Height: 214 mm
Depth: not specified

Publisher: British Library Publishing