Customer Reviews

Are You a Unicorn? The Mission and Meaning of Unicorns.

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(7)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

I would really only recommend this book to people that are really, really interested in unicorns or the idea of spiritually identifying with a non-human creature in some way. It's heavily Christian-based, which I see as unfortunate, because if those thoughts and quotes were combined with other mythological references to unicorns it would help broaden the concept of what a unicorn actually is and give you a more well-rounded picture. There are a lot of myths (even in Christian culture) that could have been put to use, I think.

Also, the idea of what a unicorn is is vague; it's characterized here mainly as a person who is kind-hearted, shy, and naive. There's some discussion of descendents of Ephraim (referred to as unicorns in a Biblical quote) interbreeding with other people and thus spreading unicorns across the world, but elsewhere it seems that being a unicorn is completely spiritually-based (in which case I'm not sure why the interbreeding would matter...) I think describing a bit of what is meant by "being" a unicorn would help (is it a totem? a heavily influential archetype? a good-hearted person? someone that just likes unicorns a lot? someone with some sort of religious connections?) There's too much time spent quoting parts of the bible that, given the book's focus, would be better off summarized quickly and replaced by more information on different views (even within a Christian schema), information on unicorn myths, and an explanation of what a unicorn actually *is.* However, for someone that shares the viewpoint of the author the book might be uplifting. If you want something to make you feel joy and pride about being a unicorn (metaphorical or otherwise), then this might be enjoyable; if you want something truly informative or thought-provoking, go for some well-researched texts on unicorn myths, spiritual development, or archetypes.

Roy Wilkinson's "Are You A Unicorn?" brought about many nights of enjoyable reading. Those of you who are interested in the folklore and legend of the unicorn, I suggest you grace your eyes upon this work. The work explains what a unicorn is like, many emotions that are related to a unicorn personality, and that physical pang one gets as we adore these creatures. (Although never knowing exactly why they appeal to us so.) Many parts are "written from a Judeo-Christian point-of-view", which should not be a reason for disregarding his work. I, myself, do not personally believe in the same religious views, however, I have been a unicorn lover all of my life, and I have found that this book has opened up new views to ponder on. It gives us historical information, as well as legendary wisdom which could engage your spirit, if you take the time to induldge your soul. It is a fairly short, but complete work, that will take you through a time portal and convey a beautiful look into one man's heart. Unicorns are glorious and fantastical creatures. From the movie, "The Last Unicorn", (which I watched many times as a child), to the deepest poem, this book is a great starting point to the unicorn, and will turn you towards an adventure through the legend and the lore soon after you read the last word.

I have to say that as someone who has long felt an inexplicable kinship with Unicorns, it was genuinely heart-stopping to find a book titled "Are You A Unicorn?" I thought that at last, someone would be able to explain this odd, intense, unceasing passion I have felt for these creatures of mythology- creatures I don't just recognize, but with which I identify to the point of believing I am in fact a Unicorn. Reading this book, however, was a crushing disappointment. I have NEVER believed that Unicorns stem from any type of religious tradition, Judeo-Christian or otherwise. It was almost insulting to read the author's very wide and ambiguous conjectures concerning the ties between Unicorn origins and Christianity. Unicorns have been around much longer than Christianity has- it is ridiculous to call Christians "unicorns" and Jews "Lions". The book views itself on a quest to answer the questions Lady Amalthea posits in Peter S Beagle's The Last Unicorn, but doesn't come close to answering any of the questions- the book is far too preoccupied with generalizing and categorizing "special" people as Unicorns. Personally, while reading this book I felt as though author was insulting my intelligence, patting and prodding readers as though they didn't understand the special circumstances that come with being a Unicorn. The writing is amateurish and the analysis very shallow. This book is for the fool-hardy and insecure- if you really, truly love Unicorns- if each time you see one or think of one you know what it is like to be such a creature- you will not find much meaning or importance in what Mr. Wilkinson has cobbled together in this would-be Unicorn manual. It goes without saying that Peter S. Beagle himself would be appalled to find what this book states about the origin and nature of Unicorns.

I bought this book because of how interesting I found the website when I stumbled accross it. I was curious as to how he was going to explain this most bizarre theory, that unicorns are among us in human form. As I began reading it, I realised that I needed to stop waiting for him to give me a scientific basis for his claims about unicorn people being in the world, and just enjoy it for what it actually is - interesting reading, but not something backed up with solid evidence and grounding as I had expected.

I found many of the points raised in this book regarding human interaction and purpose to be thought provoking. Unfortunately (depending on your point of view) the author relies heavily on intuitive insights and paterns they have observed in thier own lives. There really is not enough refference to concrete research to substantiate many claims. It really is a book that can either be taken with a grain of salt or weighed with a measure of faith. It is Christian oriented.

I was probably disappointed in this book because I expected something else. Basically, it can be compared to someone typing up a blog entry on anything and everything they can think of relating to Unicorns in book form. The book seems to be of low-budget printing (which the price suggests otherwise compared to the other books I bought that were better and $5). I would not recommend this book, even as a reference.

As a unicorn myself questing for meaning in a human world that is harsh and unforgiving, I stumbled across this book and thought it would contain the answers for which I had been looking for so long. I could not have been more wrong.

<I>Are You a Unicorn?</I> is obviously self-published. There is nothing wrong with that, per se, but it suffers mightily from the lack of polish that a good editor could have given it. The spelling and grammar could use a lot of work. The original illustrations are good, but they are overshadowed by the pictures which were obviously taken off of the internet (and some of them copyrighted, to boot!).

The biggest problem from which this book suffers is poor research. The primary sources for this work appear to be the Bible, and the book <I>The Last Unicorn</I>. Of the <I>seven</I> references listed, three have very little to do with actual unicorns and one is an album of Scottish music! And there are no mention of some truly seminal books that should be required reading for any searching unicorn, like Odell Shepard's <I>Lore of the Unicorn</I> and Ted Andrews' <I>Treasures of the Unicorn</I>.

On the whole, I am disappointed by yet another stereotypical book that relegates unicorns to some tenuous Christian symbol. A biblical perspective on the unicorn is all well and good, but some of the leaps of logic which this author takes are simply dizzying, and any reasonable scholar of the subject would have to disagree with his inference that the only true unicorn is a Judeo-Christian unicorn.

In short, this book has limited value when compared with many others out there. Unicorns who are searching for themselves and their true nature should read <I>Are You a Unicorn?</I> simply as a thought-starter and a stepping stone to better, more lucid works.

Unicorns and their goal. I found it a little superficial and bad planed. Unicorns exist; they are not only the vision of the author (strongly based in the film 'The last Unicorn'); the magic around them is real. Unicorns are more than lost people.

If the author wanted help (as the book says), he could explains deeply (for example) why they really got lost. In conclusion, a book only to be readed if you have nothing better to read (well, at least is a little entertaining).

The millenium approaches. Local and global unrest increase. And events are witnessed by 'the gentle souls'. Not in judgment, but sorrow and bewilderment, which stem from incomprehension of the ever-growing aggression.

Such 'gentle souls' are frequently bruised by the environment of contemporary society and are hurt, further still, by a sense of isolation in their need to believe and live within a framework of tolerance, compassion, forgiveness and trust.

These 'meek' aren't weak. To the contrary, they have the strength of a heart that strives to be pure, weakness is in the perception of 'being alone'. This, simply, isn't true.

Whether one is Christian, Jew, Gnostic, Atheist or otherwise, believing in a single life, reincarnation, parallel universes or genetic memory, "Are You a Unicorn? The Mission and Meaning of Unicorns" offers membership to a new 'Spiritual Family'.

Roy Wilkinson presents a clear and well-supported theory as to the heritage and purpose of those of gentle mind and gentle heart. He holds out an open hand in invitation and introduction to the realisation that one is NOT alone.

The book is written from the Christian and genetic perspectives which are the author's personal beliefs. Any other, then, would be hypocrisy - while for another not to read "Are You a Unicorn" on this basis would be an even greater 'sin', 'loss', 'waste'. For the truth and essence of the 'Mission and Meaning of Unicorns' transends labels, dogma and limitations.

Read it. One need not necessarily agree with the author's concepts to open one's truths waiting within the reach of the imagination to become the reality. Such reality is that 'the meek' shall NOT inherit the earth - they already own it, and the time is to now join together, in love and friendship, to claim that inheritance

I don't know much about this Jesus fellow or the book that he "wrote," but unicorns sure are awesome! Especially with rainbows.

Check out the author's website for additional information about why all unicorns are also Jedi Knights.