Watership Down: A Novel
by Richard Adams
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Book Summary Information
Author: Richard AdamsEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Original Language); English (Unknown); English (Published)
Published: 2005-11-01
ISBN: 0743277708
Number of pages: 476
Publisher: Scribner
Book Reviews of Watership Down: A Novel
Book Review: A Great Novel and A Timeless Tale
Summary: 5 Stars
Outside Reading Book Review
Watership Down by Richard Adams is an entrancing, engaging novel that chronicles the adventures of a band of rabbits that, through personification, are given human qualities.
In this novel, there takes place the journey of a band of rabbits, led by Hazel and his brother Fiver who leave their warren because Fiver, who seems to have an inexplicable sixth sense and exceptional instincts and perception, even for a rabbit, feels they are no longer safe there. After seeing a billboard near his warren, Fiver gets an uneasy feeling about the fate of his home and tells his brother that they must gather as many rabbits as they can and leave the warren immediately as he is sure that something horrible will soon occur there. Hazel then proceeds to gather a band of rabbits, comprised of those who believe Fiver and those who are discontent with their place in the hierarchy at the warren and want to leave. The rabbits endure many perilous adventures and eventually are able to form their own warren which right from its formation undergoes many trials.
What I found fascinating about this book was Richard Adams's use of famous quotes and passages from historical works to start off each chapter. The quotes, if interpreted correctly, also help to foreshadow the events to take place in the chapter. Watership Down teaches many lessons and parallels many aspects of the human world teaching the rabbits about the outside world and themselves as well. The novel cultivates the overall themes of the book- leadership, trust and reality. Hazel leads the rabbits through many perilous dangers which lead to his companions' absolute trust in him and Fiver. The book also expresses the nature of reality, showing unfortunate facts such as (as Mr. Jepson would say) "power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely" and showing the sad fact the although animals kill for food and out of necessity, humans potential for harm is limitless and without compassion or thought. This is shown by the callous way in which the humans bulldoze and kill all the rabbits in a warren without mercy or thought so that they may build their houses. This is expressed by the rabbits with anger, "All other Elil (rabbits word for living creatures) do what they have to do and Frith moves them as he moves us. They live on the earth and they need food. Men will never rest till they've spoiled the earth and destroyed the animals" It also, however, shows reality in a happier light highlighting the relationship of the rabbits extolling friendship and faith. What were very fascinating to me were the parallels of the warren Hazel and his band run into on their journeys, Efrafa to a totalitarian state, a communist state and an oligargic government; Efrafa is run very differently than other warrens, while many other warrens have a "monarchy" such as Hazel's home warren which is ruled by the "Threarah" or Chief Rabbit, or council in control, Efrafa are ruled over by General Woundwort, a rabbit who has fought for his power and maintains peace by absolute control. Woundwort issues strict schedules about when who can feed where and even marks and categorizes the rabbits. He rules using fear, and the same occurs in a totalitarian state where the dictator controls every aspect of the lives of his subjects. It had the same effect that Hitler had upon the German people, the atrocities and evils he committed were minimized, dismissed and covered up, but what he did for the German people was perceived as great, bettering their lives (if you were Arian of course) and making them feel strong and proud of the heritage. This nationalism was also felt by the rabbits of Efrafa who Hazel hears them praise, "Did you see his body? No. Did anyone? No. Nothing could kill him. He made rabbits bigger than they've ever been--braver, more skillful, and more cunning. I know we paid for it. Some gave their lives. It was worth it, to feel we were Efrafans." In most other warrens such as Hazel's original home warren, the Chief Rabbit rules with the help of his "Ousla" or police which help to protect and serve, cultivating the Threarah's will, or in some other situations, protecting power with force. This parallels an oligarchy or the rule of the communist party in the Soviet Union in the late 1900's, as those in the communist party (which was ruled, along with the rest of Russia, by Stalin) enjoyed special privileges such as being able to shop at different stores.
I thought that this book was extraordinarily well written and the lessons one learns from it are exceedingly important. Watership Down takes the triumphs and troubles of humanity and expresses them from a different point of view, with the result being an award winning novel about what one is truly capable of. I recommend this book to anyone over the age of twelve who appreciates a wonderful story and is able to read between the lines to interpret the true meaning of a work of art such as this. Five stars.
Summary of Watership Down: A Novel
A phenomenal worldwide bestseller for over thirty years, Richard Adams's Watership Down is a timeless classic and one of the most beloved novels of all time. Set in England's Downs, a once idyllic rural landscape, this stirring tale of adventure, courage and survival follows a band of very special creatures on their flight from the intrusion of man and the certain destruction of their home. Led by a stouthearted pair of brothers, they journey forth from their native Sandleford Warren through the harrowing trials posed by predators and adversaries, to a mysterious promised land and a more perfect society.Watership Down has been a staple of high-school English classes for years. Despite the fact that it's often a hard sell at first (what teenager wouldn't cringe at the thought of 400-plus pages of talking rabbits?), Richard Adams's bunny-centric epic rarely fails to win the love and respect of anyone who reads it, regardless of age. Like most great novels, Watership Down is a rich story that can be read (and reread) on many different levels. The book is often praised as an allegory, with its analogs between human and rabbit culture (a fact sometimes used to goad skeptical teens, who resent the challenge that they won't "get" it, into reading it), but it's equally praiseworthy as just a corking good adventure.
The story follows a warren of Berkshire rabbits fleeing the destruction of their home by a land developer. As they search for a safe haven, skirting danger at every turn, we become acquainted with the band and its compelling culture and mythos. Adams has crafted a touching, involving world in the dirt and scrub of the English countryside, complete with its own folk history and language (the book comes with a "lapine" glossary, a guide to rabbitese). As much about freedom, ethics, and human nature as it is about a bunch of bunnies looking for a warm hidey-hole and some mates, Watership Down will continue to make the transition from classroom desk to bedside table for many generations to come. --Paul Hughes
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