I had embarked on this journey long ago, but it was put aside for more than eight years! Was it worth the wait?

Now, lacking that youthful sense of wonder, I no longer share Donnie Darko's fixation on it (although Joy Division will surely remain timeless). Indeed, because it is associated with my formative (and rather tumultuous) years, I may have made more of a fuss about getting through it than was perhaps necessary.

In truth, it is actually a somewhat Tolkienesque experiment that personifies rabbits. As a reader, one feels empathy for these little creatures, and their warren seems to be an example of true asexual intimacy.

But what does it all signify? The epic elements are all present: heroes, damsels in distress, super villains, and even (gasp!) the deus ex machina. It is enjoyable, but in the end, it leaves the reader with a lingering and rather substantial "So what?" The characters are underdeveloped, yet no one can deny that this is a work with its own unique personality. And it is not lacking in creativity.

**"Watership Down: A Timeless Tale of Adventure and Growth"**

"Our children's children will hear a good story."
\\tRabbit proverb


I don't have children of my own, but if I did, Watership Down would无疑 be at the top of my list of books to give them. Described on the back cover as "one of the most beloved novels of our time," this marketing hyperbole is truly justified. The adventures of Hazel, Fiver, Bigwig, Blackberry, Dandelion, and others are simply captivating. These charming critters have managed to worm their way into my heart and will likely stay there for a long time.



It took me a while to actually start reading the book. It wasn't part of my school curriculum, and even after I discovered Richard Adams' storytelling prowess in 1990, I was skeptical about a novel centered around a group of rabbits. However, the works of recent authors like Catherynne Valente, Neil Gaiman, and Charles de Lint have helped me reevaluate the power of myths and fairytales, ultimately pushing me towards this lapine version of the Aeneid.



The quote from de Lint beautifully explains the importance and allure of the fables of El-ahrairah, the trickster folk hero of the rabbit world. His tales not only provide entertainment but also serve as a source of courage, determination, and wisdom for Hazel and his warren on Watership Down.



I won't go into a detailed description of the plot and each character. Suffice it to say that the reference to the Aeneid is not random. The rabbits face similar challenges, including the destruction of their home, following prophetic oracles, and engaging in an epic battle. What makes the rabbits so endearing is not their physical attributes but their character traits, such as courage, wisdom, and selflessness.



The theme of growing up through adversity is central to the story, along with interesting explorations of leadership and the balance between personal freedom and security. These lessons are not presented in a didactic manner but are organically integrated into the actions and consequences of the characters. Adams is a master of the "show don't tell" writing style, following the oral traditions of storytelling.



Finally, the setting of South-central England adds another layer of charm to the book. Adams' detailed descriptions of the landscape, wildlife, and weather make it easy to imagine the rabbits' world. I only wish I could observe and describe nature as vividly as he does.



In conclusion, Watership Down is a timeless classic that appeals to readers of all ages. It is a story of adventure, friendship, and growth that will leave you with a deeper appreciation for the power of storytelling and the beauty of nature.

It's got nothing much to do with this book, but I want to tell my rabbit story. Feel free to disbelieve me if you must, but it's actually true. I know the person it happened to quite well, though I have changed names and other particulars in order to protect the innocent and not-so-innocent.

So, many years ago, my friend (let's call her Mary) used to have a dog (let's call him Rover). She lived next door to a family whose five-year-old girl (let's call her Anna) had a rabbit (let's call him Fluffy). Anna was extremely fond of Fluffy, and spent a lot of time playing with him, feeding him lettuce, and doing other stuff five-year-old girls do with their pet rabbits.

One weekend, Anna's family were going off for a day to visit relatives. They had only been gone an hour or two when Mary's little sister burst into her bedroom, close to hysterical. "OMG, OMG, Rover has killed Fluffy!" Mary came downstairs, and it was true. There was Rover, looking very pleased with himself, and there was Fluffy. He was not just stone-cold dead, but Rover had for some reason dragged him home through the dirt, rather than carrying him carefully in his jaws the way dogs usually do. He was a total mess.

So for a moment both girls were indeed pretty hysterical, but then Mary calmed down. She could see a way out of this. They took Fluffy's corpse back to Mary's room, and got out a bowl of warm water, shampoo and a blow-drier. They did a pretty good job of cleaning him up, so he looked more or less presentable. Late at night, they sneaked out with a flashlight and put him back in his hutch. They figured that with a little luck they'd got away with it.

The next day, the neighbors came back. Shortly afterwards, the doorbell rang. It was Anna's father, who looked like he was near to losing it altogether. At first he could hardly speak, he was so angry, and then he explained what had happened. They were just going to leave, he said, and Anna had gone out for a last check on Fluffy. She'd found him dead, and was, predictably, heart-broken. Despite everything, she'd insisted that they go and bury him properly at once, which they'd done. And then... while they were away... some bastard, some sick fuck had gone and dug up poor Fluffy! and put him back in his hutch!! How could anyone do such a thing!!!

My friend told me she'd looked him in the eye and said she couldn't understand that either, and it was the hardest thing she'd ever done.

*********************************************************

I just got mail from Eric_W, who pointed out that a variant of this story is described as an urban legend at http://www.snopes.com/horrors/gruesom....

I heard this story from my friend, who is very reliable, early in 1987, which predates any of the references quoted... the Snopes article claims it started circulating the following year. I believe my friend's account, and I think she actually is the original source!

“Watership Down” by Richard Adams is an outstanding book that truly deserves a place in one's favorites list. I was completely engrossed from start to finish, constantly on the edge of my seat, nervously wondering which of the rabbits would survive the numerous threats they faced. The author did an excellent job of creating a cast of vivid and memorable rabbit characters. Each one was so clearly described that they immediately felt like familiar faces from real life.

Despite Adams' disclaimer that the book is not allegorical, I couldn't help but see it that way. To me, it seemed to be a story that spoke volumes about human nature and different types of people. It's not just a simple bedtime story for children; it has much deeper themes and messages. In fact, I would highly recommend this book to adults as well.

The book also presents a realistic portrayal of the lives of wild rabbits. Adams doesn't shy away from showing the harsh realities of their world, including the constant struggle for survival and the sometimes violent competition for mates. This makes the story all the more engaging and believable.

There have been many reviews and adaptations of “Watership Down” over the years, including several movies. My personal favorites among the rabbit characters are Hazel, Bigwig, Blackavar, Blackberry, and Fiver. I also adored Keharr, the ocean bird. And as for General Woundwart, well, he's definitely a character you love to hate!

If you're interested in learning more about the lives of wild rabbits, I would suggest checking out “The Private Life of a Rabbit” by Lockley. While it may not be as popular among Goodreads readers as “Watership Down,” it provides some interesting insights into the behavior and habits of these fascinating creatures.

Overall, “Watership Down” is a classic book that has stood the test of time. It's a must-read for anyone who loves a good adventure story with a touch of depth and meaning.

Just so excellent.

Epic rabbit adventures await in this captivating book. I was truly enamored by the rabbits' mythology and the enchanting stories they shared with one another. Even the strange rabbit heists they engaged in, all for the sake of their beloved warren, added an element of excitement and intrigue.

There could potentially be a version of this book written with more humor, as might be anticipated for a kids' book. However, I firmly believe that the decision to take the rabbits so deeply seriously on their own terms was an absolute stroke of genius.

If you haven't revisited this book since your childhood, it's high time you did. It's far more of an adult book than you might initially expect, and it's even better than you remember.

I had the pleasure of listening to the audiobook, and I must give a special shout-out to Peter Capaldi for his wildcard performance. While I didn't entirely agree with the voices he chose for the rabbits, he wholeheartedly committed to them and gave it his all. He screamed, he sang, he whispered. It was truly an all-out performance. I would rate it a solid 10/10 and would not hesitate to listen to it again, although one should expect some sudden screams and wildcard antics along the way.

I just don’t get it.

As of today, Watership Down has an average of 4.03 out of 5 from 228,847 ratings on Goodreads. It makes me wonder if we all read the same book. I really don't understand the high ratings. I would even struggle to finish reading this book aloud with my children. That might be the only way I could get through it. Or perhaps if I were stranded on an island and this was the only book available.

The writing itself was decent, but the story was extremely boring. Under normal circumstances, I give a book 100 pages before giving up. There are exceptions, of course. I didn't get into Game of Thrones until about 150 pages. Another exception was my 2013 New Year's Resolution to read or revisit the classics to see if age and maturity made a difference. The Great Gatsby and The Catcher in the Rye led me to believe that age doesn't matter for me, and unfortunately, Watership Down is no different. My copy is 475 pages long, and I managed to force myself to read until page 214. But after that, I just couldn't take it anymore. Life is too short.

This book is about rabbits. I thought maybe it was a metaphor or something. Since I'm into apocalyptic fiction, I thought perhaps it was a bunny apocalypse, with man encroaching on nature. But it was so boring that I never really cared to explore that idea.

And then there are the pellets. There are several references to the rabbits eating pellets. I initially thought they were eating their own poop, which I found a bit disturbing. But it turns out that the pellets are pre-poop, and the rabbits have to eat them to survive. It's like birds regurgitating food and then eating it again. Still, it's not a pleasant thought.

Then there are the rabbit legends. The rabbits have a storyteller who tells tales of the first of their kind. It's like the Adam and Eve story for rabbits. The first rabbit is mischievous and always tries to outsmart the great maker in the sky. There are elaborate schemes to steal cabbage or something. But it all just seemed so uninteresting to me.

Wow. 475 pages of mind-numbing boredom. Well, 214 pages for me since I gave up. If you've read my review of The Great Gatsby, you know how much I hated that book and thought it should be burned because it was criminally boring. What's worse about Watership Down? The extra 295 pages of boredom.

\\n  “All the world will be your enemy, Prince with a Thousand Enemies, and whenever they catch you, they will kill you. But first they must catch you, digger, listener, runner, prince with the swift warning. Be cunning and full of tricks and your people shall never be destroyed.”\\n

Who would have believed that a story about rabbits leaving their doomed world in search of a new and better home could be this brilliantly marvellous? This might seem like a simple adventure of bunnies, but it is so much more. Watership Down is an incredibly complex book, rich in allegories and filled with meaningful themes such as the life and spirit of survival, identity, pain and death, freedom or blessed ignorance, pride and war, nature and destruction, and the relationship between men and animals and their world. The depth of this book is truly mind-blowing. It is an epic tale of courage against all odds, of staying true to oneself, of friendship and family, of faith in one's people, of using tricks and one's brain, but also one's heart. The characters are fantastically well-drawn and highly relatable. Every single rabbit in this story is amazing, and it is really hard to choose which one I love the most. I don't know why, but while reading this book, it somehow reminded me of Tolkien. Well, you can have Tolkien, but I would choose Watership Down any day.

\\n  “Animals don't behave like men,' he said. 'If they have to fight, they fight; and if they have to kill they kill. But they don't sit down and set their wits to work to devise ways of spoiling other creatures' lives and hurting them. They have dignity and animality.”\\n

Slowly watching the new Netflix show!

Don’t want to cry too much at once!

Re-reading on audio is great. Still truly wonderful & sad.

OMG! I can't believe it has taken me all of these years to read this book! It was such a wonderful book. There were some sad things, but I was able to get through it.

I loved getting lost in this world of rabbits. They talked of their fears, of things they needed to get done, and there was great camaraderie between each and every one of them. They were all so brave. I loved them all. I had a soft spot mostly for Hazel, Fiver, and Bigwig. I even loved Kehaar! They were all so wonderful and such little heroes!

Even though the rabbits were going through all of these hardships, I felt like I was taken back in time... to a time of childhood and great things. I guess it's hard to explain, but I'm sure some of you know what I'm talking about. You didn't have to read this as a child to get that feeling.

I would recommend this book to anyone that hasn't read it yet. It will take you away to another world for a little bit of your life and it's worth it.

PS - The movie is free to watch on Youtube. I'm not sure if I would let small children read or watch this movie since it's rather gory and has sad things. Although, it's all real life. It's up to you as a parent with small children. FYI: I was allowed to watch anything at a very young age so it's hard for me to say.

That ending is so bittersweet. ♥

Happy Reading!

Mel ♥

MY BLOG: Melissa Martin's Reading List

I think when it comes to this book, there are generally two types of people.

On one hand, there are those who can see beyond the surface and truly love it. They are able to appreciate the depth and complexity that lies within the story.

On the other hand, there are those who just don't get it. They wonder how anyone could praise a book that seems to be about silly talking rabbits.

Given my rating of it, it's obvious that I fall into the former group.

At first glance, this is an engaging tale about a group of outcast rabbits. Prompted by one of their fellows who can foresee a great catastrophe, they leave their warren.

Their adventures are diverse and captivating. Both during their journey to the place they will eventually call home, Watership Down, and as they try to find does to repopulate their new warren from the militaristic Efrafa.

Adams does a remarkable job in handling his rabbit characters. They are not quite human, yet they are human-like enough to engage the reader.

The way they try to understand the world around them in an animal-like way makes them more than just people in bunny suits.

They have their own language, with words and concepts based on their understanding of the world. And perhaps most interestingly, they tell stories and myths about their beloved folk-hero, El-ahrairah.

These stories, which are scattered throughout the book as chapters, are some of the most enjoyable parts of the tale. They add depth and interest to the rabbits and their 'culture', making it very endearing.

The rabbits themselves fulfill certain archetypal roles, such as the leader, the warrior, the seer, the scientist, and the villain. But at the same time, they retain their individual characters and even develop as the story progresses.

This is definitely not a simple children's story about 'fluffy bunnies'. Even if you just look at it on the surface, it has much more to offer. And when you look beneath the surface, it's a satisfying and fulfilling tale that truly deserves the title of 'classic'.

Re-read, September, 2012: Yup, this is still an amazing read. The ending always gets to me *sniff*. I think what makes this story so great are the layers. Everything builds on what came before, whether it's the plot, the characters, or the themes.

We come to love a group of characters that may have seemed rather silly at first. And what started as a simple journey from here to there turns into something much more profound, at least for me.

Oh, and one more thing: Bigwig is awesome. His last stand against Woundwort is an incredible moment. But there's a reason why Hazel was the Chief Rabbit.

4 Stars for Watership Down (audiobook) by Richard Adams read by Ralph Cosham.

This was a truly engaging and fun story. The characters were well-developed and the plot was full of adventure and excitement. However, it did seem to be a bit on the long side. It felt as if the story could have been told just as effectively in half the time.

Despite its length, the audiobook was still enjoyable. Ralph Cosham's narration was excellent, bringing the characters to life and adding to the overall atmosphere of the story. The descriptions of the natural world were vivid and detailed, making it easy to imagine the rabbits' journey through the countryside.

Overall, I would recommend Watership Down (audiobook) to anyone who enjoys a good adventure story. Just be prepared for it to take a while to get through!

Watership Down is indeed regarded as a classic. The reason? Perhaps no one else, aside from maybe Elmer Fudd, has ever been as utterly obsessed with rabbits as Adams. In this novel, Adams delves deep into various aspects of rabbit life. He explores rabbit lore, their unique religion, the intricate social hierarchy within their community, their distinct culture, and even their war strategies. All of this unfolds as the rabbits are constantly chased by cats and are driven to procreate. Truly, what could be more characteristic of rabbits than this?

However, I hold the minority opinion that it's not all that great. To be completely honest, the novelty of the rabbit protagonist starts to wear off around page 75. And then, the remaining 500 pages seem incredibly long. As the number of rabbit characters multiplies, it becomes nearly impossible to form a connection with each and every one of them. When the rabbit wars commence, my imagination reaches its limits. I managed to reach the end only by sheer force, with glassy eyes and daydreaming about my next read.

If I were to analyze the mistakes of this novel, I would say it suffers from being overly long and taking itself too seriously. The allusions to high art, such as Shakespeare, Plato, and Virgil, at the beginning of each chapter seem forced and fail to convince me of the novel's brilliance. The lengthy interludes of rabbit folklore are interesting in small doses, but they quickly become relentless and overwhelming.

I'm quite interested in watching the 1978 movie adaptation as it's only an hour and a half long, which seems like a much more appropriate length. I'm not keen on the Netflix series that spans nearly 4 hours. Had the novel been a tighter 200 pages, my opinion would likely be very different. Bambi by the great Felix Salten, which is in a similar genre, is far superior and manages to achieve more in half the number of pages.

That being said, I still understand why Watership Down is considered a classic. One has to admire someone who goes all-in on rabbits. Certainly, there's no other novel that I can think of that devotes such intense energy to presenting a single animal's point of view. I do like the blood and the gritty nature of the story, but behind that, it would really benefit from an occasional sense of humor and some self-awareness of the ridiculousness of it all.

What an extraordinary book!

This story about the life of a band of very unique rabbits and their will to survive was truly remarkable. It was not only creative but also highly educational and entertaining. The absolutely wonderful color illustrations in this edition added an extra layer of charm. I have to admit, it was slow going at first. However, it really didn't take long for me to become completely hooked. I fell in love with Hazel, his insightful brother Fiver, and the courageous Bigwig (my hero). And, OMGOSH, I couldn't help but crack up when ole Bigwig told General Woundwort "silflay hraka u embleer rah".

This captivating adventure has a wonderful feel good ending and is not a book just for children. It is a must-read for people of all ages. It makes you look at rabbits in a whole new light. Definitely a must-read!

(Going forward, I will definitely view the rabbits in my yard in a new light. And as they continue to chew away at my lattice work to live under the front porch and back deck, I now know they at least come out to "hraka" elsewhere)