Watership Down: A Novel
by Richard Adams
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Book Reviews of Watership Down: A Novel
Book Review: This review is a little late.
Summary: 5 Stars
I recieved my pruchase right on time. It came earlier than expected and I like that. Its in very good condition too.
So far I'm on the ark where the rabbits plan to go to Efrafa. Its a real surprise. The movie which I watched before this is completely different. I'm not sure why the movie left out some things in the book, but I'm not gonna fault it on that. If a movie followed a book completely it would be many hours long. I'm really enjoying this book so far and can't wait to see what happens next. I might even watch the movie again and compare the two. First off (SPOILER!!!!) Alot of things in the book are more disturbing. An example is the destruction of the old warren. Holly and Blackberry's description on the events leading up to them finding Hazel and others just disturbed me. Not only were they attacked by humans, but thier own kind. Sounds similar to some human situations. Plus the whole tearing dead bodies apart detail...~shivers~. Efrafa is also described in more detail. In the movie the only thing I knew about Efrafra was that it almost represent a communist country or Dictatorship and Hazels warren represent Democracy. I'm not sure if this was done intentially or not. I would actually say in the book its even more obvious.
I must confess when I first read WSD I almost expected another book like Erin Hunters Warriors or that series about the wolves. I got something even better! WSD is definately a must read. I'm surprised not many schools have this and Plague Dogs in thier library. It feeds my inner fascination with nature. This, Plague Dogs, and its movie adaption are definately underrated. I don't know many peaple whos read it. If you love WSD you will also love Plague Dogs which is more disturbing, but just as fascinating.
NOTE: Im updating:) I just finished and I must say this is one of the best books I've ever read. When the story was over I felt like I just lost my best friend. You follow this group of characters, who are rabbits all the way to the end and when its older its sad, heartwarming, and beutiful at the same time. I came closer to crying reading this than I did watching the movie. This book just pushed the Warriors series out as my favorite fictionous nature book. Not only is it one of the 100 greatest animated movies, but 100 greatest books. This story just earned a new fan! I can imagine how Plague Dogs is.
Book Review: My All-time Favorite!
Summary: 5 Stars
A young rabbit named Fiver sees a vision of blood and death--danger is coming to the rabbit warren! Thus begins this classic fantasy book for middle school and teen readers. Fiver tells his brother Hazel and they flee, along with nine other rabbits.
The first several days of travel out in the open are harrowing, but they think their luck has changed when they happen upon another warren. Unlike the overcrowded warren they left behind, this one has plenty of room and they are invited to stay. Only Fiver senses that all is not as it seems. When one of their band almost loses his life, they learn the warren's deadly secret and must leave.
Eventually they find the perfect spot for their own warren, a large hill called Watership Down. However, Hazel soon realizes they have a problem: without female rabbits to have babies, the warren won't last long. They come up with a solution, but carrying it out will test Hazel's leadership and the mettle of all of the rabbits to their limit.
This middle school book tells an exciting story and is beautifully written. The lovable characters range from Hazel, the thoughtful leader who learns not to overreach himself, to Bigwig, the aggressive fighter who faces death more than once, and Fiver, the gentle, otherworldly psychic whose visions guide the group. One great charm of Watership Down is that tales of a legendary rabbit hero are sprinkled throughout the story. Whenever the rabbits face a dilemma and need inspiration, they lift their spirits with tales of a rabbit's courage, cleverness, and derring-do.
Richard Adams had a hard time finding someone to publish this book for middle school readers. Publishers thought that a story about rabbits was for babies, but that the writing style was for adults, so who would read it? Lots of people, it turned out. In 1972 a small publisher took a chance on the unusual novel and it's still in print. I love Tolkien, but this is my favorite fantasy novel. I can't count how many times I've read it.
Reading level: Ten and up. Good readers of 10-11 should do fine with it, unless the more adult writing style is off-putting. From comments I read online, many parents read this book aloud to their children and it is enjoyed and discussed by all.
Book Review: Bunnies and Suspense, go together like peanut butter and jelly
Summary: 4 Stars
When I had a trusted friend tell me that he had a riveting, suspenseful book for me to read I was excited. When he told me that the book was about bunnies, I thought of `Thumper' from Bambi, in some sort of Schwarzenegger movie with grenades and machine guns. However, the trust I have in my friend outweighed the ridiculous images I had in my mind of the Easter bunny as a pirate, or Bugs Bunny driving the van in a heist.
All that being said, `Watership Down' by Richard Adams is an extremely suspenseful book that makes your heart-rate skyrocket while you bite your nails, and pull your hair in anticipation of the unfolding, brilliant plot. The tale is about a group of rabbits, primarily Fiver, a peculiar runt that has prophetic abilities, and Hazel, a good hearted rabbit thrust into a position of leadership. The two decide to leave their warren with a few others due to the odd supernatural feelings Fiver receives concerning the future of their home.
Their departure results
in a compelling page turner that effortlessly engages the reader. At face value, the story really only has events that you would imagine occur in the dull life of rabbits: finding food, mates, and shelter. But Adams has a keen ability to create a sense of desperation within the reader for the rabbits to accomplish this task and does so this through his masterful character development. Each rabbit has their own distinct characteristics: some are eerie, some likable, some hysterical, and some downright frightening. The quirks, speech, and other unique qualities drove me to caring deeply for the outcome of Hazel, Fiver, and all of their peers.
There are also segments blended within the `Watership Down' of the rabbit's mythology and folklore that read as entertaining children's stories. These elements mixed with the `Lapine' glossary in the back of the book to help you decipher rabbit words for things like: tractors, badgers, and droppings, envelop the reader in a fantasy world that is actually a beautiful depiction of a real place seen through the eyes of wonderfully crafted rabbit characters.
Watership Down is a must read that I will proudly place on bookshelf number 4 of 5.
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Book Review: An Unexpected Gem
Summary: 5 Stars
I'm a bookworm of the first order. So, when I say a book is among the best I've ever read, it means something. And this book isn't just among the best I've ever read, it's also my among my all time favourites. Now, I fully understand that `Watership Down' is a hard sell. It's it's about RABBITS for crying out load! What self-respecting adult wants to read a book about rabbits? But don't be so quick to judge.
Life is quiet and predictable Sandleford Warren. But one young rabbit, Fiver, senses a deadly danger looming ahead. Within days eleven rabbits choose to abandon their home. Few of the small group believe in Fiver's sixth sense but each one has his reasons for believing that there may be a better life for them beyond the warren of their birth. Lead by Hazel - Fiver's brother and one of the few who believe in his brother's strange gift - the assorted rabbits set out with no idea of the distance they would have to traverse, the dangers they would have to overcome, or the plots that threaten their dream of a new home - a place called Watership Down.
The unforgettable nature of the story is it's sense of realism. Richard Adam extensively researched rabbits before beginning this story. He knows rabbit behaviour and life styles in great detail. And to this rich understanding he adds a culture, a mythology, and a language all of which are based in how rabbits actually live and behave. You'll never look at a the random rabbit spotted at morning or evening silflay (Lapine for eating above ground, or grazing) the same way again.
The realism spreads to the characters of the rabbits themselves. Hazel, Fiver, Bigwig, Dandelion, Blackberry, Hawkbit, Pipkin, Speedwell, Buckthorn, Silver, Acorn, and the others encountered along the way are unforgettable. They are completely believable both as rabbits but also as individuals with their own strengths, weaknesses, fears, and hopes.
Between the adventures are the stories of El-ahrairah, Prince of Rabbits and the surprising and often amusing view rabbits have of humans - this book is one you'll treasure.
So, don't be put off on the rabbit on the front cover. Give this work of genius a chance.
Book Review: A Classis Adventure Story
Summary: 5 Stars
Richard Adam's Watership Down is an amazing story of epic proportions worthty of El-ahraiah himself. It deals with a tale of great bravery, courage, and loss of a group of friends struggling to survive and find their home. The story follows the journey of Hazels, Fiver, and their many companions. Even though the subjects of the book are animals (particularly rabbits) instead of people, this novel doesn't fall short in any grade, in fact, it surpasses all the marks.
The classic story begins with Fiver, one of the books main characters and a rabbit with what some would call psychic abilities, foresees a great danger heading to destroy his homeland. After warning all his neighbors and countrymen, only a few come with him on his journey to find a new warren, or home. Amongst those are Hazel, Bigwig and Blackberry. As the group journeys across the land, they encounter other rabbit countries and many elil, or enemies. They eventually find the fate of their old warren and go on many daring mission to help and protect their new home. Hazel and his friends even befriend a bird that helps them along the way.
Watership is nothing shot of a truly astonishing, heroic, awesome story that is l more than worth its weight. At nearly 500 pages, some may be turned away by its large size, but every page is more than worth reading. The imagery and detail that this book provides really makes you feel like you are there, alongside the rabbits in their everyday struggle for survival.
Read as the friends escape from crazy places where rabbits are much more like squirrels and dogs. Watch as they fight off cats and other elil in epic battles. Discover how they build up their new home, and if they can keep safe from enemy forces.
Watership Down is a true classic story that will be treasured for many generations to come and will become a huge part of English history. It is truly one of the best books ever written and one that we can all relate to. A statement about his book, by the St. Louis Post Dispatch, said that "Everyone who can read English should read it." This is very true, for it is a truly astonishing book. I can grantee you that Watership Down will not disappoint you.