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Watership Down #2

Tales from Watership Down

richard adams

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Rediscover the A Puffin Book series and bring the best-loved classics to a new generation - including this highly anticipated edition of Tales from Watership Down.

Return to the warren with this treasured collection of short stories, an epic encore to the timeless classic Watership Down.

Dig deeper into the extraordinary inner lives of Bigwig, Dandelion, Fiver, Hazel, and the legendary El-ahrairah steeped in rich tradition and unearth the untold legends, passed down through generations, that shaped their destinies. . .

267 pages, Hardcover

First published August 5,1996
Series
Watership Down
Places
watership down hampshire, 

This edition

Format
267 pages, Hardcover
Published
December 15, 1998 by Random House
ISBN
9780517289365
ASIN
0517289369
Language
English
Characters More characters
  • Bigwig

    Bigwig

    An ex-OWSLA officer, and the largest rabbit of the group. His name in Lapine is Thlayli, which literally means "Fur-head" and refers to the shock of fur on the back of his head. Though he is powerful and fierce, he is shown to also be cunning in his own w...

  • Fiver

    Fiver

    A runt rabbit whose name literally means "Little-thousand" or "Little-many" (rabbits have a single word, "hrair", for all numbers greater than four; Fivers name in Lapine, Hrair-loo, indicates that he is the smallest of a litter of five or more rabb...

  • Hazel

    Hazel

    The protagonist, Fivers brother; he leads the rabbits from Sandleford and eventually becomes Chief Rabbit. Though Hazel is not particularly large or powerful, he is loyal, brave, and a quick thinker. He sees the good in each individual, and what the...

  • Dandelion

    Dandelion

    a buck rabbit who tells wonderful stories and keeps the wandering rabbits spirits upmore...

  • Hyzenthlay

    Hyzenthlay

    a doe rabbit who lives in the militaristic Efrafa and helps Hazel and company...

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About the author

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richard adams

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Adams was born in Newbury, Berkshire. From 1933 until 1938 he was educated at Bradfield College. In 1938 he went up to Worcester College, Oxford to read Modern History. On 3 September 1939 Neville Chamberlain announced that the United Kingdom was at war with Germany. In 1940 Adams joined the British Army, in which he served until 1946. He received a class B discharge enabling him to return to Worcester to continue his studies for a further two years (1946-48). He took the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1948 and of Master of Arts in 1953.

He was a senior civil servant who worked as an Assistant Secretary for the Department of Agriculture, later part of the Department of the Environment, from 1948 to 1974. Since 1974, following publication of his second novel, Shardik, he has been a full-time author.

He originally began telling the story of Watership Down to his two daughters, Juliet and Rosamund, and they insisted he publish it as a book. It took two years to write and was rejected by thirteen publishers. When Watership Down was finally published, it sold over a million copies in record time in both the United Kingdom and the United States. Watership Down has become a modern classic and won both the Carnegie Medal and the Guardian Children's Fiction Prize in 1972. To date, Adams' best-known work has sold over 50 million copies world-wide, earning him more than all his other books put together.

As of 1982, he was President of the RSPCA.

He also contested the 1983 general election, standing as an Independent Conservative in the Spelthorne constituency on a platform of opposition to fox hunting.

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Community Reviews

Rating(4 / 5.0, 100 votes)
5 stars
34(34%)
4 stars
33(33%)
3 stars
33(33%)
2 stars
0(0%)
1 stars
0(0%)
100 reviews All reviews
Profile Image for Kimberly .
HoopzBarkley
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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I did not enjoy this nearly as much as the original book.

The stories that described the further adventures of the Watership rabbits were indeed enjoyable. However, when it came to the El-ahrairah stories, it was a different story. They simply did not have the same charm and appeal.

Overall, these seemed to lack the joyful vibrancy that made the original book so special. It was as if something was missing.

So, instead of persevering with this, how about trying some Watership Down fanfic? There are many talented writers out there who have created their own interpretations and expansions of the Watership Down universe.

By exploring the fanfic, you might discover new and exciting stories that capture the essence of the original book and bring it to life in a whole new way. It could be a refreshing and enjoyable alternative.

Give it a try and see if you can find the same magic that you experienced when reading the original Watership Down.
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wazzupabby
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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A pleasant dessert to the main helping of Watership Down, I was more than glad for this return to the rabbit warrens. It was truly a delight to step back into that world. I certainly felt like these short stories, despite Mr. Adams' refutations, were of an even more directly allegorical and didactic nature than the original book. They seemed to carry a stronger message, perhaps more pointed in their teachings. Regardless of whether they were meant to be instructional or not, these little expansions felt like they were more than I deserved. They were extra but not extraneous, I suppose. They added depth and richness to the overall narrative. The same literate, direct voice shines through in the writing, making it a pleasure to read. And my reservations of the borrowed time quality of sequels was silenced quickly and summarily. I was completely won over by this return. I can only say again, I am delighted for this return.


This is my first book finished of 2011. Henceforth noted at bottom of reviews.

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mandi92
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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Anyone who had a deep affection for the world and the captivating characters of the original Watership Down would most definitely find this sequel/anthology a must-read. The stories within this collection offer a great deal of variety. In fact, it is highly likely that any reader will be able to discover at least one or two tales that they truly relish. The range of stories is extensive, stretching from the enchanting rabbit legends of El-ahrairah to the events that the Watership rabbits encounter subsequent to the defeat of Efrafa. There is even a light-hearted nonsense story thrown in for good measure, and this particular one happens to be among my personal favorites from the entire collection.


I must admit that I had a genuine liking for all of the stories presented here. However, it should be noted that some of the ones that followed Hazel, Fiver, and their companions were essentially part of the same overarching story arc. Perhaps, they could have been combined to form longer and more连贯的 stories. This is because, on their own, some of these individual tales seemed a bit ordinary or mundane. Among my absolute favorites were "The Sense of Smell", "The Hole in the Sky", "The Rabbit's Ghost Story", "Speedwell's Story", and "Stonecrop". These stories managed to capture my imagination and keep me engaged from start to finish.

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vjtatakae
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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The name of this book could also have been "The Survivors of Watership Down" or "The Editor's Cuts". That's the impression I got at least for myself, because the book was in no way a whole.

In the first part, there was a collection of the adventures of the mythical El-ahrairah that were in no way related to each other, and Adams sometimes (but not always) remembered to tie them into Watership Down by telling who among the familiar rabbits told the story. The second part was a narrative collection of four stories, and the third was then a short account of the later stages of the rabbits of Watership Down.

Although in terms of structure it is dragged along in a one or two-star drawer, I still give the book three stars, because Adams' account from the perspective of the rabbits is in the four or five-star class even in these text fragments. I don't know how Adams does it, but when reading these, I feel like I am a rabbit.

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SailorBunnie
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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Tales from Watership Down is a remarkable collection of legends and short stories.

It enriches the history of the rabbits inhabiting Watership Down and extends their narrative beyond the original novel.

Personally, I had never perused any of Richard Adams' works before this encounter. Although I had witnessed the animated film adaptation of Watership Down, I was quite acquainted with the events and plot.

I was truly astonished by how rapidly I was immersed in Adams' captivating world. His writing style is so inviting that one easily slips into it, and I found this collection of tales almost impossible to set aside.

Mr. Adams has masterfully crafted a social universe among his rabbits that is not only entirely believable but also feels as fully developed as Tolkien's Lord of the Rings. However, Adams' world exists solely within this one novel and this compilation of short stories.

I'm unsure why I had never read any of his works previously, considering they have always been favorites of my step-father and readily available to me throughout my life. But now that I have sampled his writing, I am more than eager to explore further and uncover the other treasures that his literary works hold.
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lunarxlunar
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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This is a wonderfully written book that offers a valuable moral lesson.

It is told from the perspective of rabbits, which gives it a unique and engaging charm.

However, what makes this book truly special is the "go west young man" kind of spirit that is woven within its pages.

The rabbits embark on a journey filled with challenges and adventures, much like the pioneers of the old west.

They face obstacles with courage and determination, learning valuable lessons along the way.

This spirit of exploration and perseverance is not only inspiring but also serves as a great example for readers of all ages.

Whether you're a child or an adult, this book will surely capture your imagination and leave you with a sense of wonder and motivation.

It is a must-read for anyone who loves a good story with a meaningful message.
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konoha16
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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Oh my GOD!!!!!

I have always been deeply in love with the enchanting world of Watership Down. Ever since I was a mere 5-year-old, I have been captivated by the original movie. And to be completely honest??? This new addition is JUST as good as the original book!!!!!

It is absolutely WONDERFUL to hear more about the heroic El-ahrairah and about Hazel's warren after the events that took place in the original book!!!!!

I LOVE this world to PIECES and would give almost Anything to be a rabbit in this magical world!!!!

The detailed descriptions and the engaging storylines make me feel as if I am right there with the rabbits, experiencing their adventures and challenges.

It's truly a remarkable and immersive experience that keeps me coming back for more.

I can't wait to see what other wonderful tales and adventures await in this captivating world of Watership Down.
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soul67x
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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Truly, you can't go home again.

I spotted this while searching for a copy of the beloved Watership Down to offer my son. I had no idea this particular edition existed. I snapped it up in a fit of fevered nostalgia. I knew better, but oh, the thought of the adventure awaiting my boy completely bewitched me. I suspended my disbelief, and unfortunately, suffered the damage done.

Attempts to expand on a brilliant work of art to meet popular demand are indeed fraught with danger. As an example, take Screwtape Proposes a Toast, the late appendage to The Screwtape Letters. It's a perilous endeavor. Or rather, if you loved the original book as I did, you should make every effort to ensure you do NOT see it.

It's the same reason I dither over reading the later-thought sequels to The Giver, knowing that the original work was conceived as a single entity. And the same goes for Go Set a Watchman. Some works are fated to be just one transcending story, nothing more.

The act of writing faithfully mined the vein of gold through thick and thin. The act of editing discarded the baser elements and polished the pure ores to a glittering shine. The finished work stands alone in all its joy, glory, and pain. One pang of which is occasioned by the arrow's arc — that it must end, end, end. And yet, it never truly ends for us, living on in our memories, growing sweeter as time marches on. Leaving us bereft, yearning to travel again in a lost land. Wishing so fervently to return to a time when all was before us, unfolding.

So, love with an open heart what you read while you may. Truly, you can't go home again. #MapMyReadingLife
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