I had a great fondness for Watership Down. It has truly charmed countless generations of kids, and I could immediately understand the reason behind its appeal. However, this anthology left me with rather mixed emotions.

I really enjoyed reading about what the characters from the previous book were up to. Those particular stories were indeed a lot of fun. They added depth and continuation to the beloved characters.

On the other hand, the shorts about the mythical El-ahrairah were rather dull and uninteresting affairs. They failed to capture my attention and seemed to lack the magic and excitement that the other parts of the anthology had.

If you decide to pick up this anthology with the intention of finding out more about the characters, I would highly recommend skipping the sections related to El-ahrairah and instead focusing on and enjoying the stories about the main characters. This way, you can have a more fulfilling and enjoyable reading experience.

It took me a considerable amount of time to really get into this book.

The initial chunk of the book consisted of short stories about El-ahrairah, and to be honest, I wasn't interested in them at all.

However, the latter part, which was more of a continuation of the events from the first book, turned out to be more interesting.

Nevertheless, there wasn't a real cohesive plot throughout the entire book. This should perhaps be expected considering the title, but it still didn't do much to maintain my interest.

I found myself constantly having to push through the less engaging parts in the hope that something more captivating would come along.

Overall, while the latter part had its moments, the lack of a unified plot made it a bit of a struggle to fully enjoy the reading experience.

It was nice to return to Watership Down, but the atmosphere was no longer that magical one that could be breathed in "The Hill of the Rabbits".

Perhaps, as he is getting older, Bigwig is no longer as good as he used to be at telling the rabbit legends.

Maybe the passage of time has taken away some of the charm and excitement that once filled the air on that hill.

The memories of the heroic deeds and adventures of the rabbits seem to have faded a little.

Yet, there is still a sense of nostalgia and a longing to recapture that lost magic.

As we stand on the Colle Watership once again, we can't help but wonder if there is a way to bring back the glory days and make the stories come alive once more.

Will Bigwig be able to find his old storytelling skills and reignite the passion for the rabbit legends in the hearts of those who listen? Only time will tell.

3.5/5

Unlike many reviewers, I was fully aware going into it that this book was not a standard sequel to Watership Down. I was eagerly looking forward to reading more tales of El-ahrairah, and I was not disappointed in these captivating stories. The author's vivid descriptions and engaging narrative truly brought the adventures of El-ahrairah to life.

However, when the short stories transitioned to our original cast of characters including Hazel, Bigwig, and Keehar, I did find that the author referenced many more specifics of the events in WD than I could remember. This made it a bit challenging to keep up with the story at times.

Overall, it was still an enjoyable read. The book managed to capture the essence of the original Watership Down while also offering new and interesting perspectives. Despite the minor drawback of the excessive referencing, I would still recommend this book to fans of the original and those who enjoy tales of adventure and survival in the animal kingdom.

An excellent collection of rabbit tales awaits you! It's as if you've accidentally stumbled upon a treasure trove of rabbit folklore that is deeply rooted in the warrens of Watership Down. The stories within this collection are like precious gems, each one shining with its own unique charm and magic.

You'll be transported to a world where rabbits have their own adventures, face challenges, and form friendships. The vivid descriptions bring the warrens and the rabbits to life, making you feel as if you're right there with them. Whether it's a tale of a brave rabbit's journey to find a new home or a story about the bonds that form within the rabbit community, these tales will capture your imagination and warm your heart.

So, if you're a lover of folklore and the enchanting world of rabbits, this collection is a must-read. It offers a wonderful escape into a world filled with wonder, excitement, and the enduring spirit of the rabbit.

I have no idea why this book isn't more highly praised by Watership Down fans.

I think it's a whisker away from being just as good as the original. Perhaps all it's lacking is an overall unifying plot. It certainly feels like a number of disparate ideas tied up together. However, as long as you know to expect this, it's sure to satisfy you.

When I started it and looked over the chapter list, I was dismayed to see that Hazel and the gang only appeared for about the last third or so of the book. The first part is made up of more El-ahrairah tales.

But in the end, these tales were the best bit. The El-ahrairah bits were great in the original Watership Down, but always felt like a side concern to the main plot, a nice addition. I was always impatient to get back to the story. But since then, Adams' style has really developed, and the stories are much more evocative and sinister. The cumulative effect is a convincing and tangible folk history, almost Tolkien-esque in richness. My favourite was The Comical Field. The Hole in the Sky is particularly chilling, and moves the Watership Down world further away from children's fiction. (But it was never really a kid's book, was it?)

When we finally get to our old pals on the Down in the last section of the book, it's worth the wait. They are all here, and even Kehaar makes an appearance. Adams moves the story on in a convincing and realistic way. He doesn't shy away from the fact that rabbits' lives are short and brutal. The tone is a bit different from the original book: more death and more supernatural bits.

If you are a fan of Watership Down, you have to read this. It offers a unique and engaging perspective on the Watership Down universe, with its own set of captivating stories and a deeper exploration of the rabbits' world.

This was an enjoyable collection of short stories about the rabbits of Watership Down.

We get to read about their activities before the end of the first book, which brought me no end of tears. Honestly, I have to say that reading about El-ahrairah in the first story was fine, but after that, I found myself getting bored. The book didn't become interesting for me until we were following Hazel, Fiver, and the others who were settling into Watership Down.

I do think it was good to see how the rabbits were tested. There was a cruel winter, a female rabbit who used to be the Oswla and disagreed with Hazel and others, and a former rabbit who still felt some influence from General Woundwort.

Sometimes, when reading this book, I still have to take a hard pause to figure out what the rabbits mean when referring to certain things. Fortunately, this book came with a dictionary in the back, which was very helpful.

The setting of Watership Down still feels magical to me. We see the rabbits being led by Hazel-rah and how the warren functions because they all work together all the time. However, the stories mentioned above do test the rabbits at times. I really wish that Adams had included a story of Watership Down after the death of Hazel.

The ending was a little disappointing to me. I just felt that the stories as a whole didn't flow very smoothly from one to the other. I was expecting something better or a more comprehensive plot.

I have been a fan of Watership Down since childhood, so it is amazing that I have only now come across this book. Of course, there is rather little detail and beloved characters from the first part in it, but how wonderfully strange it is :). The majority of it consists of tales about the rabbit Robin Hood, Jesus, and all kinds of other things related to El-Ahrairah. And although they are written by a human (supposedly), they are delightfully different from most traditional hero's journey stories, archetypes, and such. It is factually rabbit-like! For example, in one story El-Ahrairah sees a hole in the sky. In another, he hides a cat, ants, and, it seems, a river in his ears. In a third, he finds himself a body. Literally, a body. The daughter of a cow. There are also terrifying stories about rabbit ghosts. And epic deeds. And the internal politics of a growing settlement. In short, I now feel a bit like a rabbit and am very glad about it.

DNF at pg 124

I had the intention of attempting to complete this particular book. However, it simply wasn't having any impact on me. These are short stories that are centered around the characters from Watership Down. Currently, as I am reading the original novel, I believed that I could effortlessly get through this one since I was familiar with the TV shows and movie adaptations. But unfortunately, the small excerpts just didn't truly capture my attention.

Nevertheless, for any enthusiasts of the original novel. I think you might discover this to be of some interest~

A significant portion of this book is devoted to more accounts of El-ahrairah, something I had been eagerly anticipating. In the initial book, each of these was a concise, enjoyable narrative filled with great ingenuity and bold deeds. The insinuation at the conclusion, that the genesis of these tales lies in the actions of real rabbits whose shrewdness warranted their actions a place in mythology, to be handed down to future generations, was outstanding.

However, in this sequel, there is much talk about "rabbit tricks," yet not a single story truly presented anything approximating a trick. The stories seemed to drag on and lacked a clear point, as they largely resolved themselves spontaneously through the continuous plodding of the mythical hero. A few of the stories towards the end that involved Hazel and the group were worthy of listening to, but overall, I had the impression that the tone and refinement of the first book were simply absent.

Bigwig 4ever ❤️

Bigwig is not just a word; it represents someone who holds great importance and influence.

This individual is often regarded as a leader, a trendsetter, or an authority figure in their respective field.

They have achieved a level of success that commands respect and admiration from others.

The term "Bigwig 4ever" implies a sense of permanence and loyalty. It suggests that this person's status and significance will endure over time.

Their contributions and achievements are so remarkable that they will be remembered and revered for years to come.

Whether in business, politics, entertainment, or any other area, a Bigwig has the power to make a difference.

They inspire others to reach for the stars and strive for excellence.

Their actions and decisions can have a profound impact on the lives of many.

In conclusion, "Bigwig 4ever" is a celebration of those who have made a lasting impression and left an indelible mark on the world.

They are the ones who shape our future and make it a better place.

Let us continue to look up to them and learn from their example.

I'm in complete agreement with the collective mind's 3.68 star average.

If you were a fan of "Watership Down," you'll likely find some things to love in this book. I was forewarned that the first half of the book consists of legends and myths, so I actually began reading from the last half and then went back to the beginning. This reading order worked well for me.

However, the book feels more like a "postscript" rather than something that truly merits being published on its own. It's nice to revisit the characters I adored in "Watership Down," but to be honest, not much really occurs. It's simply more of the daily life on the downs. If you're a die-hard fan who couldn't bear for "Watership Down" to end, then this book was specifically written for you. But I suspect that most others will be a bit disappointed by it.