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.
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.
Bright eyes burning like fire, the story unfolds in a captivating way. The book is truly remarkable, written by an amazing author. Adams manages to tell authentic-sounding tales that either remind one of true folklore or carry that wonderful feeling of high-quality animal literature. It simultaneously speaks to humans while maintaining a foreign perspective, in this case, showing the malicious human influence on nature.
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Adams' work is a gem that combines elements of fantasy and reality, making it a must-read for anyone interested in exploring the relationship between humans and nature through the lens of engaging stories. His vivid descriptions and well-developed characters draw the reader in and keep them hooked until the very end.
A cute continuation of the Watership Down story indeed! However, it fails to reach the same level of amazingness as the original. The new installment has its charm, with some endearing characters and interesting plot developments. But it lacks the depth and the profound impact that the first book had. The story still manages to engage the reader, taking them on another adventure with the rabbits. There are moments of excitement and heartwarming scenes that make it an enjoyable read. But when compared to the classic, it just doesn't quite measure up. Overall, it's a decent addition to the Watership Down universe, but it doesn't quite capture the magic of the original. 3.5 stars!