The essential second volume of bestselling author Peter S. Beagle’s (The Last Unicorn) short stories, including one previously unpublished and four uncollected stories, shows again that Beagle is one of America’s most influential fantasists. With his celebrated versatility, humor, and grace, Beagle is at home in a dazzling variety of subgenres. Evoking comparison to such iconic authors as Twain, Tolkien, Carroll, L’Engle, and Vonnegut, this career retrospective celebrates Beagle’s mastery of the short-story form. “Peter S. Beagle is one of my favorite authors.” — Patrick Rothfuss, author of The Name of the Wind [STARRED REVIEW] “This two-volume collection is a must-have for all of them. Yes, essential, for whomever you are.” — Kirkus A dilapidated dragon, a frustrated cop, and an unapologetic author square off over a dangerously abandoned narrative. The seemingly perfect addition to a weekly card game hides a dark secret from everyone but her teammate. A deeply respected judge meets his match in Snow Ermine, a gorgeous pickpocket. From heartbreaking to humorous, these carefully curated stories by Peter S. Beagle show the depth and power of his incomparable prose and storytelling. Featuring a newly published story, “The Mantichora,” an original introduction from Meg Elison ( Find Layla ), and gorgeous illustrations from Stephanie Pui-Mun Law ( Shadowscapes ), this elegant collection is a must-have for any fan of classic fantasy. This retrospective two volume short-fiction collection highlights the career of Peter S. Beagle, one of fantasy literature’s most popular and enduring authors - The elegant matching hardcover volumes, featuring original illustrations and introductions by popular authors Jane Yolen and Meg Elison, will strongly appeal to the author’s loyal fan base of fantasy and fiction readers and collectors of Beagle’s work - Extensive national marketing plan to include mass-media cover reveal, high-profile launch event, author events and appearances, social media and blog tour, radio, podcasts, features, and interviews Washington Post Brilliant Forays into the Otherworldly Locus Recommended Reading List [STARRED REVIEW] “Volume 1, introduced by Jane Yolen, contains some of Beagle’s most classic stories, including ‘Come Lady Death,’ in which a jaded British woman meets her match when she invites Death to her ball, and ‘Professor Gottesman and the Indian Rhinoceros,’ about a socially awkward academic’s relationship with a somewhat unusually presented and philosophically minded unicorn. ‘Lila the Werewolf’ features the first appearance of Joe Farrell, the protagonist of Beagle’s novel The Folk of the Air (1986); fans of that book will be delighted to encounter Farrell in an additional story that takes place after the novel and features some interesting character growth on his part. The collection also contains the absolutely chilling ‘We Never Talk About My Brother,’ the story of a news anchor with a secret and impossibly powerful control over the stories he reports, and the sweetly melancholy ‘Uncle Chaim and Aunt Rifke and the Angel,’ concerning a painter’s divinely compelling model. There are also whimsical works like ‘Gordon, the Self-Made Cat,’ starring a mouse who refuses to accept that biology is destiny. Whether set in a fantastical landscape, the New York City of Beagle’s youth, or the invented northern California town of Avicenna, these are fables that explore how a brush with the uncanny can either change a life or simply spotlight what is already present. Magic is the lens through which the author shows us how fraught a mother-daughter relationship can be, how difficult it can be to let go of a dead friend or lover, and how a greater threat can unite two squabbling siblings. Delicate line drawings by artist Stephanie Law add a charming coda to each tale. Brimming with magic, lyrical prose, and deeply felt emotion, this is, indeed, essential reading.” ― Kirkus [STARRED REVIEW] “Beagle ( The Overneath ) showcases his versatility and ability to entertain even as he challenges expectations in 13 fantasy shorts from throughout his career. While several offerings, including ‘Lila the Werewolf’ (1969) and ‘Come Lady Death’ (1963), stem from Beagle’s early years, the majority represent his post-2000 output, demonstrating that his skills have only been refined over the decades. With a tendency toward gentle thoughtfulness and philosophical rumination, tales such as ‘Professor Gottesman and the Indian Rhinoceros’ and ‘Uncle Chaim and Aunt Rifke and the Angel’ prove timeless in their quiet yet profound exploration of Jewish faith, friendship, family, and fellowship. Others, like ‘The Stickball Witch’ and ‘Four Fables,’ drift into absurdity or everyday uneasiness, while ‘We Never Talk About My Brother’ looks at the balance between good and evil in a new light. Jane Yolen’s introduction helps place Beagle and his work into further context. The result is both an ideal entry