In general, it is a good book.

One must be very clear that it is not precisely the continuation of the main story that I liked so much in the original work. Instead, they are very short stories that fulfill their mission of expanding the world.

I quite liked that the expansion not only focused on the "living" characters of Watership Down but also included more stories of El-ahrairah.

It is recommended to read.

This book offers a unique perspective on the world of Watership Down. The short stories provide additional depth and breadth to the overall narrative.

Readers will enjoy delving into the different tales and learning more about the characters and their adventures.

Whether you are a fan of the original work or new to the world of Watership Down, this book is sure to captivate and engage you.

So, pick up a copy and embark on a new journey through the world of Watership Down.

I highly recommend this book to those who have already read and adored the prequel, Watership Down, just as I did. However, I must offer this recommendation with some caveats.

The title can be quite misleading. Only the second half of the book is dedicated to Tales from Watership Down - several new and engaging stories about Hazel-rah, Fiver, Bigwig, and the rest of the beloved characters. The first part of the book consists of rabbit folklore and legends of El-Ahrairah, the Prince of a Thousand Enemies. I, for one, skipped that first half.

For fans of Watership Down, these tales should prove to be fairly enjoyable and satisfying, although perhaps not as action-packed, emotional, multi-layered, and interconnected as the first book. Nevertheless, I found these short tales quite charming as they allowed me to spend more time with the rabbits I had grown to love so dearly. Sniff.

Possibly in response to criticism of the first book, Adams has made an effort to provide greater gender equity and has created a matriarchal society of rabbits in some scenarios. For example, a distant warren is led entirely by does, and at Watership Down, Hazel shares the position of chief rabbit (rah) with the doe Hythenthlay, who hails from Woundwort's warren, Afrafa.

However, the storyline about the doe obsessed with White Blindness felt rather weakly plotted and contrived, seemingly designed simply to create gender-balanced leadership roles. White blindness is a truly horrible condition (look it up). In that same tale, Viltherul is portrayed as a psychic doe, mated to Fiver. She picks up the thoughts and feelings of the obsessed rabbit in a distant warren. (This seems a bit of a mistake, as in the first book, Hyzenthlay was the psychic, foreseeing that a rabbit would ride in a car).

In another tale, the Watership rabbits endure a harsh winter. Poor little beasties, with so little to eat. This part of the story felt both compelling and credible. The scene with the car was particularly vivid.

Kehaar the seagull also makes an appearance in the book, adding an interesting element to the narrative.

Hazel-rah finds his leadership challenged by the new generation, especially by a big buck called (something)Wort. The solution to this problem felt a bit lackluster, but the problem itself seemed quite realistic.

When a new rabbit appears on Watership Down, all the rabbits immediately want to kill it. Why? Because it smells like Man (a vile scent that strikes fear and revulsion in every Lapine heart). It takes Hazel-rah and Fiver working together to find a solution. The plot of this story was nicely done, although in the first book, the Watership bucks mated with does that they freed from Lucy's hutches at the barn, presumably smelling of Man. The author attempts to explain this discrepancy, stating that the need for does was extremely intense in the first book, and they only smelled slightly of Man, comparatively. I'm not entirely convinced, but I still liked this storyline quite a bit. I especially liked how it was resolved.

The last story was a bit of a letdown, as it focused on Campione, the Captain of Woundwort's Owsla from the first book. I have developed no particular bond with him and would have preferred to spend more time with the Watership rabbits.

Writing style: In the first book, I felt that Adams digressed from the plot far too often to hold forth on something largely irrelevant about nature (my review of book 1 cites an excerpt where Adams digresses about martins flocking and perching on telephone wires). Fortunately, this frustrating degree of digression did not occur in this book, resulting in a better flow and a more enjoyable reading experience.

However, there were quite a few typos - at least a dozen. Given that this Kindle book cost $9.99, it really needs some proper editing.

Quibbles aside, I did enjoy this book. It was wonderful to see the whole gang again and to spend more time in their world.

So beautifully and eloquently written!

It was truly a pleasure to return. The words seemed to dance on the page, captivating my attention from the very first sentence. The author's use of language was masterful, painting vivid pictures and evoking a range of emotions within me.

I found myself completely immersed in the story, unable to put it down. Each paragraph flowed seamlessly into the next, creating a seamless narrative that kept me engaged until the very end.

The attention to detail was remarkable, adding depth and richness to the overall experience. It was as if I was right there, experiencing everything along with the characters.

Overall, this was a truly outstanding piece of writing, and I can't wait to see what the author comes up with next.

I truly love this book.

If you have a deep affection for "Watership Down", then this one is an absolute must-read for you.

It contains the captivating tales of El-ahrairah, which are filled with adventure and charm.

In addition to that, it also features some of the beloved rabbits from Sandleford and Watership Down.

The stories bring these characters to life in a vivid and engaging way, allowing you to immerse yourself in their world.

You'll be on the edge of your seat as you follow their journeys, facing various challenges and overcoming obstacles.

This book is a wonderful addition to any collection and is sure to delight fans of "Watership Down" and anyone who enjoys a good adventure story with memorable characters.

So, don't miss out on this amazing book and let yourself be transported into the enchanting world of the rabbits.

Now, I find myself in a situation where I will have to read Watership Down.

This book has been recommended to me by several people, and I have heard great things about it.

I am excited to embark on this literary journey and discover the world that Richard Adams has created within the pages of this novel.

I have no doubt that it will be a captivating and engaging read, filled with adventure, friendship, and survival.

As I prepare to delve into the story, I am curious to see how the characters will develop and what challenges they will face along the way.

I am looking forward to losing myself in the pages of Watership Down and experiencing all that it has to offer.

I'm awarding this four stars as I truly relished this book. Nevertheless, I didn't enjoy it to the same extent as the original "Watership Down".

This book, although marketed as a sequel, isn't truly one. It's more of a combined supplement and what I would term a "mid-quel" (if there's a sequel and a prequel, then there can be a mid-quel). "Tales" in relation to WD is somewhat like what "The Clone Wars" is to the Star Wars trilogy and what the other Middle Earth books are to LOTR. "Tales" consists of a combination of stories about El-ahrairah and tales about what occurred to the WD warren between the siege of WD and the conclusion of the previous book.

I liked the stories. They are entertaining. I appreciated what Richard Adams did (as he also did with the original WD) of placing quotes at the start of each chapter, which compels the reader to figure out the relevance of the quotes to the chapter.

However, at times the stories were inconsistent with the original WD. For instance, the rabbit-like naivete from the first book has sometimes been toned down to such an extent that the rabbits, who used to refer to the arrival of a train as a hundred thousand hrududil sent by Frith to destroy their enemies, are suddenly naming exotic endangered species and using terms like "thought transference".

I also felt uneasy that the book tended to follow the "humans are bad" line. The original WD was balanced in its portrayal of humans: while it depicted humans as threats to rabbits, it also presented sympathetic humans like Lucy and Dr. Adams (a cameo appearance of the author's dad, as I read somewhere) and showed human inventions like boats as beneficial to rabbits.

(Another inconsistency with the first book: in WD, the characters obtained some domestic rabbits from Nuthanger Farm and incorporated them into their warren. In "Tales", they were on the verge of killing all rabbits who "smelled of men." The explanation that things were different before seemed feeble to me, because in "Tales" killing all rabbits who smelled of men is revealed to be part of rabbit lore and culture.)

Regarding the feminist angle, I liked "Hyzenthlay in Action" (which female reader doesn't delight in a butt-kicking doe in a story about a bucks' world?) but I think actually naming Hyzenthlay as a Chief Rabbit (or a co-chief rabbit with Hazel) appears forced; there was no indication of a co-chief female Chief Rabbit at the end of WD.

All of this being said, I enjoyed reading "Tales from Watership Down". It was pleasant to encounter old friends like Hazel, Fiver, Bigwig, and all the others once more. I liked the new characters such as Sandwort, who strikes me as a typical rebellious youth who pays the price for his impetuosity.

Chapter 7 Speedwell's Story: "It is a far better thing to have a firm anchor in nonsense than to put out on the troubled seas of thought." J.K. Galbraith, The Affluent Society

Chapter 10 The Story of the Terrible Hay-Making: "In nature there are no rewards or punishments: there are consequences." Horace Annesley Vachell The Face of Clay

This book is a wonderful follow-up to "Watership Down." Just like its predecessor, each chapter commences with a quote from either a historical figure or a book before delving into a character or event.

It details the coexistence of the Watership Down and Effrafa warrens subsequent to the defeat of Effrafas by the Downs. Additionally, it elaborates on the introduction of does (female rabbits) into Watership, which was initially an all-male warren.

The rabbits in Adams's stories rely on the blessing and protection of their god Frith and the assistance of the Prince with a Thousand Enemies, the legendary rabbit El-ahrairah, an English rabbit from the Land of Yesterday. It is through El-ahrairah's shrewd thinking and cunning that rabbits can reproduce, a feat achieved through tricking his king in the first book, and the sense of smell, which led him on a perilous journey to obtain, as this book begins.

Similar to "Watership Down," this book portrays the interactions of rabbits with one another, which bear resemblances to those of humans, the rabbits' chief enemy. It includes the conveyance of does into the society of bucks, the construction of a new warren inhabited by former residents of Watership and Effrafa, the establishment of a strictly does warren and does as leaders of warrens, and the rabbits' fear of the white blindness (extermination by gas).

I continue to wonder how the author, Adams, managed to convey these fables to young children. The parallels with humans are truly uncanny. It is advisable to read the books in order for a more comprehensive understanding.

Why did I read this?

I don't know. There is no excuse really. The original content was not something that appealed to me. It was not my cup of tea at all. So what was going through my mind when I decided to read it? Maybe I was hoping that it would be better than I expected. But unfortunately, that was not the case.

It was more or less the same as I had initially thought. It was about bunnies with angst. It's a rather strange concept, isn't it? Bunnies are usually associated with cuteness and playfulness, not angst. But that's what this was about.

I'm not sure if I would recommend this to others. It might be interesting for some who have a taste for the unusual, but for me, it was just an okay read.

I guess we all have different preferences when it comes to reading materials. Maybe someone else would find this story really engaging and enjoyable. But for now, I think I'll move on to something else.

It doesn't truly possess the same captivating and enchanting feeling as that of Watership Down. However, it is still rather pleasant to witness a small follow-up. I will forever be cheering and rooting for this warren. The El-Ahrairah stories have always been truly awesome. They add a unique charm and depth to the overall narrative. It's interesting to see how the characters and the warren continue to evolve and face new challenges. While it may not reach the same heights as the original, it still manages to hold its own and engage the reader. The continuation gives fans a chance to revisit the beloved world and see what has become of their favorite characters. It's a welcome addition to the Watership Down universe, and I look forward to seeing what else might come in the future.

There seem to be a number of slightly-sour reviews on here,

so I'll toss in my opinion.

I truly loved this follow-up novel.

It had a distinct feel of being an extension of "Watership Down."

The stories of El-ahrairah and Rabscuttle were absolutely captivating,

and I thoroughly enjoyed the creative adventures that the rabbits of the Downs embarked upon.

Moreover, I particularly relished the political statements within this book.

If you adored the original novel, I firmly believe it's well worth reading.

After all, who wouldn't desire to spend a little more precious time with the beloved Hazel-rah?

This novel offers a wonderful opportunity to re-immerse oneself in the enchanting world of the rabbits,

exploring new tales and delving deeper into their lives and struggles.

It's a must-read for fans of the original and those who appreciate well-crafted stories with engaging characters and thought-provoking themes.

These stories were not bad.

However, I had the distinct feeling that they were an attempt on the part of the author to squeeze every last drop out of his classic and truly timeless fantasy for one last time.

It seemed as if he was trying to capitalize on the popularity of his earlier work rather than presenting something entirely new and original.

My advice to any reader would be to simply skip these additional stories and instead re-read the magnificent Watership Down.

This classic novel is a masterpiece that has stood the test of time and continues to captivate readers of all ages.

By re-immersing oneself in the world of Hazel, Fiver, and the other rabbits, one can truly appreciate the genius of Richard Adams and the beauty of his storytelling.

So, don't waste your time on these lesser works. Go back to the original and experience the magic all over again.

This was actually worse than I had remembered it.

Recently, upon re-reading Watership Down, I was truly struck by how lightweight and inconsequential the stories in this particular book seemed.

Even a majority of the tales of El-ahrairah lacked the mythic quality that Adams was so proficient at evoking in the original work.

The one that bothered me especially was the very first story in the book, which details how El-ahrairah obtained the sense of smell for his people.

What really irritated me about it was that none of the other animals in the book were described using their Lapine names or truly regarded from the perspective of a rabbit.

When El-ahrairah embarks on a journey to the land of the King of Yesterday, he encounters numerous extinct animals - nearly all of which are referred to by their human names, such as the Oregon Bison.

Talk about pulling the reader right out of the story! I simply could not fathom that a warren of rabbits would be sitting around listening to Dandelion tell a story that mentioned Oregon Bison and jaguars.

It was so aggravating. I awarded this three stars solely for the nostalgia factor, but in reality, it's more of a two-star book.