Watership Down: A Novel
by Richard Adams
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Book Reviews of Watership Down: A Novel
Book Review: Hard to believe, but this novel is a gritty and epic adventure story about rabbits
Summary: 5 Stars
In the author's note beginning this read, Adams states that he struggled to find a publisher, as the characters of bunnys was childish, whereas the storyline was very adult.
And thats what I thought this book would be like. Well the storyline was very adult, kinda like Gulliver's travels. The main crew of rabbits travel the countryside and encounter trails and tribulations which (apparently unintentionally) are allegories for human society.
The whole rabbit thing is done brillantly, from a rabbit's perspective the world is a dangerous and fascinating place, its a bit like a fantasy novel with supernatural creatures, except the creatures are of course dogs, foxes and human vehicles.
As an older book Watership Down, does have a longer-winded feel about it, with lots of stories within the story and build-up to the final confrontation.
I remember my first experience of this book was actually the movie (intially dismissed as a child's Animals of Farthing wood type thing) Then I happened to catch my younger brother watching towards the end, where there were rabbits totally tearing the s*** out of each other and brutality in all corners.
Highly Recommended :)
Book Review: wrenching adventure
Summary: 5 Stars
romping across the English countryside may seem like a walk in the park for us humans, but for the rabbits in Watership Down it's a life-and-death struggle to start a new life after the destruction of their own home. their travels grip the reader by vividly illustrating the dangers they face, from deadly foxes and weasels, to man-made hazards, or even facing off against fellow rabbits.
Adams creates an entire culture around the rabbits, outlining their success (and failures) through the tales of heroic figures from the rabbits' past. these stories compel the rabbits to take risks that will allow them to secure a new home, and ultimately continue their peaceful way of life.
the adventures of Hazel, Bigwig, Fiver, and the other rabbits are described through the distinct personalities and traits that Adams gives them. while their actions may seem anthropomorphic, their physical reactions are rooted in how real rabbits act in the wild.
not for the faint of heart, this lagomorphian expedition will make you look upon common rabbits in an entirely different manner from now on.
Book Review: A truly fantastic read
Summary: 5 Stars
Watership Down, by Richard Adams, is a great tale of survival and leadership that anyone can enjoy.
The story begins on a calm evening at the Saddleford Warren. Young Fiver, the small, nervous rabbit whose only friend is his elder brother, Hazel, comes upon a sign covered in man writing. He doesn't know where the sign came from or what it says, but he knows it means trouble.
Fiver's odd premonitions are almost always true, but no one other than Hazel will believe him when he says danger is coming to the warren.
The story jumps right into action as Hazel and Fiver gather a band of rabbits who are willing to leave the warren and venture into the unknown in search of a new home. They encounter danger after danger after danger, including two warrens, one of which holds a deathly secret and the other over which rules the terrible Woundwort, whose brutal discipline and battle skills have earned him the title of General.
Through it all the rabbits stick together, facing hardships and terrors they never dreamed possible, all in pursuit of a place they can live safely; a place called home.
Book Review: Warning, there are no girl bunnies in this book!
Summary: 1 Stars
We are reading this book together as a family. My husband reads aloud, the kids listen, and I struggle not to leave the room. My 9-yr old daughter has repeatedly asked: "why are all the rabbits boys? Are there going to be any girls soon?" Yeah... This is a fantasy, so one imagines the author had a fair amount of room to add talking rabbit females to the plot -- if he wanted to. But for most of the book the female rabbits are relegated to anonymous "doe" status, as in "the does are raising the young and if they get nervous, they might not give birth to as many young." The male characters are developed in much detail. At this point in the book, the protagonist rabbits are getting ready to wage war with a rival tribe, which includes "taking their does." In other word, "to rape and pillage." Wonderful! In general, I see very little merit to this book. It is rather protactracted and dull, as other readers have noted, and I don't like the message it is sending to my kids, girl or boys. We will finish the book, as a matter or principle, but I can't wait. In my opinion, a piece of "hraka."Book Review: Yes , Rabbits!
Summary: 5 Stars
The title of my review refers to a conversation I had with a friend about his favorite book. We were in a book store browsing and he pointed to a book saying, "that's my favorite book." I was immediately curious, I deeply respect this guy and consider him the smartest person I know. I asked him what is it about, he said "Rabbits." Me: "Rabbits?" Him: "Rabbits" Me: "Rabbits?" Him: "Yes, Rabbits!"
In the end, I did not buy the book nor did I in the near future. WHAT A MISTAKE!!!
When I finally did decide to buy and read the book, I was enthralled. Is there a perfect book/read? I don't know, but here's another story.
I was reading Watership Down at work on a Friday. Time came to pack up for the day. After being half-way home I realized I forgot Watership Down. There was no way for me to go back and get it, and I was not going to be back at work for another two days. To make a long story short, I bought another copy of the book and finished it over the weekend.
Watership Down is a remarkable book. BUY/BORROW IT.