Watership Down (05) by Adams, Richard [Paperback (2005)]

by Adams

Watership Down (05) by Adams, Richard [Paperback (2005)]

Genres: Fiction

Paperback

Published January 1, 2005

About the author

Paula Adams Tennant, who writes under the name ADAMS, lives in Northern California.

Tennant's published poetry include: Passion of Creation, The Two Headed God, Moon of Reflection, Sheaves of Silence, and Conversations with Keith all published by Lost Coast Press (Fort Bragg, California).

Reviews

[Jeffrey Barzach · Rating 5 out of 5]

"There is nothing that cuts you down to size like coming home to some strange and marvelous place where no one even stops to notice that you stare about you."

This is a tale about rabbits. I know, I know, how could a story about rabbits be so good? But upon closing the last page, I could only feel a faint sadness in my heart for my final time with my rabbit friends. The leadership of Hazel, the courage of Bigwig, the resilience of Holly, the trust of Fiver - these are traits of characters who inspire me to be a better version of myself and to those around me.

I truly felt like upon entering this world, I was a witness in a strange place, and I enjoyed every minute. The rabbits have their own complex system of living, their own societal structure filled with mythic tales. Their way of life is contrasted with humans, who have seem to have forgotten what it means to be a part of nature. The rabbits fend off dogs, cats, humans, and even other rabbits, and go through thrilling and daring escapes. I felt like I was a part of their group, trying to find my own home along with them in an unforgiving world.

But that world has hope. I found myself cheering, laughing, and weeping at what these rabbits go through, yet they stick it out together. I was reminded that it's okay to put your trust in others, like how Hazel put his trust in a bird (yes, the rabbits befriend a bird). I was reminded that we can forgive and extend our hands to those who have been led astray. And lastly, I was reminded that home is not a destination, but a continuity of being.

Also, one of the rabbits is named Strawberry - c'mon, Strawberry! That is so cute.

5 stars.

[Beth Bacon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was way better than it had any right to be. It was like reading The Hobbit, but with rabbits! wonderful book.

[Rose Stephenson · Rating 4 out of 5]

It took a little bit for me to get into and at times can be wordy, but once past that, I felt transported to a mystical playful world. Great feelings of hope and joy when the rabbits faced triumph, but balanced with suspense and melancholy at some points. Great book all around!

[Author Hicks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Big thanks to Mr. Jah for nudging me to re-read this classic. If you’re itching to step into graceful meadows and interact with rabid bunnies without ever leaving your home, this read is for you. I struggle to hop off the non-fiction train, but Richard Adams has crafted a wonderful tale of journey and sorrow, great gain and lots of loss that has lured me in further and further again and again. My favorite work of fiction of all time… Hazel’Rah, will you come back? We need another one of your tricks

[KnotSlip · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good classic. Liked it more than I thought I would seeing how its about rabbits.

[Aiden Radford · Rating 5 out of 5]

I went into Watership Down knowing nothing other than that it was a charming story about rabbits. I was pleasantly surprised with extensive world building and Rabbit Mythology. A wonderful tale about rabbits, with observations about humanity from a smaller point of view.

[Taylor Buffett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic Story, loved every minute of it.

[Brooke McCollum · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my all time favorite books! Will read it over and over again. The story and the characters just stay with you. I also have the audiobook which is a great listen as well.

[Cinzia Cera · Rating 5 out of 5]

Classic tale about timeless themes as friendship, trust, leadership, survival, and the search for happiness.

[Sotto · Rating 3 out of 5]

A person may be forgiven when making the mistake of picking up a book about talking rabbits written by a British person, seeing the somewhat picturesque cover, and thinking that this would be a good bedtime story for their 5-year old. That person would be quite wrong. This is, in actually, a novel about survival and war, told from the PoV of rabbits that happen to be as intelligent as humans. It has far less in common with Beatrix Potter or Paddington Bear than it has with Redwall or Mouse Guard with the crucial difference that the main characters of Adams's imagination have no tools, no armor, no hands. They are rabbits that somehow became just as intelligent as people while most of the other animals around them remained more or less the same...except that the rabbits can exchange conversation with non-rabbits, just not with people. So what we have is a fantasy starring rabbits without any magic placed into a variety of life-or-death situations. This all makes perfect sense upon reading the introduction and realize that large segments of this book are extrapolated from Adams's own experience as a soldier fighting in a real war, likely World War II. Many of the rabbits have personalities of people that he befriended while in service. The major downside of this is that the women-rabbits of "Watership Down" are all rather helpless damsels. Somewhat aware of this, Adams does mention at one point in the middle of the book that the females are regarded as little more than breeding stock by the males. However, he makes no further mention of this and we are to assume that the women-rabbits are perfectly content with these assumptions as to their status and role in rabbit society.

While "Watership Down" has received many commendations and awards, I would say it is about on par with a volume of "B'rer Rabbit" stories I read as a child. The rabbits of Adams's imagination, while occasionally dependent on the physical strength and bravery of a few particular rabbits, are largely successful due to the cunning and leadership abilities of their leader with the unassuming name of Hazel and the mysterious transcendental visions of Hazel's runt brother, little Fiver. There are also numerous mini-narratives within the larger story, fables told by rabbits to other rabbits about a mythic folk hero named El-ahrairah to help them understand that the rabbits' greatest strength is intelligence, not brawn or speed. Again in these fables, nowhere are any of the female rabbits shown to act in anyway other than "damsel" or "brood maker." Disappointing, but not very surprising considering that the Adams himself grew up nestled within the still active British empire. Nevertheless, the overall pacing is brisk, the characters believable, and the lessons imparted somewhat useful to better not dismiss "Watership Down" out of hand.

[CJ · Rating 2 out of 5]

In the late 1970s at peak Watership Down mania, a well-meaning relative gifted me this book. I recall making several attempts to read the hefty tome, giving up each time without getting further than a chapter or two.

Some forty five years later I decided to revisit the book. This confirmed for me, all the reasons why it remained unread on my bookshelf for so many years.

While it has become a classic and a favorite for many, I found it to be bloated, meandering and interspersed with rabbit theology and lore that made it almost unreadable.

[Lillian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everything about Watership down is so expertly written, I'm not surprised why it became such a cult classic when it comes to xenofiction. There are no moments of downtime or pauses because the cast are always doing something, keeping the reader engaged at all times. So many lessons and quotes can be taken from this piece of art.

[Kkhunt5 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book a few decades ago. This time, I listened to the audiobook. I highly recommend it. The narrator was excellent, using a different voice for each of the rabbits, the bird, and rats. Even though the book is about rabbits, it is not a book just for children. It is a story about community, warfare, government, loyalty, and courage.

[Ruth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am sad to have finished this book, because it felt like saying goodbye to an old friend who you’ve been through a lot with. The story tells many good principles, it is full of hope in the midst of heavy adversity…. It’s a classic for a reason. Now to watch the movie and see how they butchered the story 🥲😂

[Michael Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite books of all time. As a kid who grew up loving the warriors series this book felt like a grown up and more refined version. Genuinely attached to all the characters and there was hardly a dull moment.

[Hannah Joy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cozy cottage read!

[Will · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Because, the rabbits are us, Donnie." Drew Barrymore, Donnie Darko (2001)

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Second time reading this and loved it even more this time.

[Sami Yellin · Rating 5 out of 5]

hazel-rah!!!

[Kayla · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved all of the characters!