Watership Down by Richard Adams
September 1st, 2006 . by Jilly
When I first heard the premise of this story, I thought how could a 500 page story about rabbits, be any good? While I was wrong, it was fantastic. I’ve always heard people recommend this book. I could see myself coming back and reading this story over and over. The story flows, I didn’t want to put the book down. The author has a way of making distinctly different personalities for all of the rabbits.
This bunny-epic starts with a group of rabbits living in Sandleford Warren, where life is good. One of the runts of the group, Fiver, who has the gift of prophecy can tell that destruction is coming and he talks a handful of rabbits into leaving the warren with him. They leave the warren and begin to look for a new home, even though they have no idea where they’re going. Along the way they meet obstacles and dangers from humans, predators, and hostile wild rabbits as well. They get themselves setup in a nice, safe place and then realize they have no women among them. So they work out a plan, to get some does to join their warren.
Part of the reason I like this book so much, is because it seems like it could be real. Adams goes to great lengths to help us understand what daily survival is like for rabbits. He doesn’t make them humans. They’re not very bright, they don’t have good memories. They act on instinct. He also described what the rabbits do for fun - telling bunny folklore, playing bob-stones, playing in the grass. I can’t even begin to describe how well-written this book is.
I loved this book. This was a great adventure. I was sad to see it come to an end.
and this is why i stayed up till 2:00 in the morning finishing this book on a work night…
i was so wrapped up in the story. was hazel going to succeed? how were they going to be able to escape the nazi warren? were the does going to be able to survive the difficult journey? i needed answers!!!
such a good book.
Crystal:
My friend Sam said he used to read this book, once every year when he was growing up. He said it reminded him of Secret of Nimh, but with mice.
I noticed there’s a Watership Down cartoon out there. Would you be interested in watching it?
I liked that Campion character. I also liked how they used the strengths of the Efrafans against them. Like how noone questioned the orders they received.
Such a good book!