Finally, a classic has been accomplished.

The audiobook was truly excellent. It managed to bring the story to life in a whole new way. The narrator's voice was engaging and added depth to the characters and the plot.

Listening to the audiobook was a wonderful experience. It allowed me to immerse myself in the story while going about my daily activities.

Whether I was driving, doing chores, or simply relaxing, the audiobook was the perfect companion.

I highly recommend this classic audiobook to anyone who loves literature and wants to experience a story in a unique and enjoyable way.

Initially, my intention was to rate this story with 3 stars. However, several aspects changed my perspective.

The ending was truly captivating. I have a soft spot for such endings, and it was so good that I had to rewind and listen to the first few chapters again.

Based on Richard Adams' explanation in the "Author's Note", this story is not an allegory or parable but simply a story about rabbits made up in the car. I'm glad I heard this first, as many readers might look for a deeper meaning. It's important to note that it's not a story about communism or Christianity.

To me, this story bears a resemblance to The Lord of the Rings trilogy. It features an adventurous journey with heroes and villains, triumphs and tragedies, epic battles, engaging storytelling, and unwavering loyalty until the end.

Richard Adams' explanation that various characters were based on people he knew or, in Fiver's case, a mythological priestess, was enlightening. It's fascinating to think about how these real-life inspirations were immortalized in the story.

I'm also glad I listened to the audiobook instead of reading the print copy. It was quicker, and I appreciated the correct pronunciation of names and invented words like "hrududu", as well as the accents provided for different characters, including British, Scottish, Irish, Norwegian, and Italian.

So, why not 5 stars? Well, for one thing, the story took an extremely long time to unfold. While I enjoy descriptive writing, this one was a bit too drawn-out for my taste.

Another drawback was the misogyny portrayed by the rabbits. The does were only considered useful for procreation and were easily dispensable, while the bucks were seen as the braver and more knowledgeable sex. This was quite infuriating.

Despite these flaws, I would recommend this story as a read-aloud for middle-grade students and older, with discussions. Overall, I'm glad I didn't give up on it, as I would have missed the wonderful ending.

P.S. Thanks, Dennis, for lighting the firecracker!

Watership Down is a remarkable classic fantasy novel. Penned in 1972, it emerged from the stories Richard Adams shared with his daughters during long car rides. It's a unique pastoral fantasy centered around anthropomorphized rabbits. These rabbits have a complex, albeit primitive, society. When Fiver, a rabbit with second sight, has visions of an impending disaster and fails to convince the head rabbit, a group of rabbits decides to leave their warren.

The rabbits encounter various adventures on their journey to a new home atop Watership Down. Later, they realize, somewhat belatedly, that they need female rabbits to establish a viable new warren. With few options, they decide to recruit from another overcrowded warren, Efrafa, led by the fearsome General Woundwort. Hazel, Fiver, Bigwig, and the others may be taking on a challenge that's more than they can handle!

On the surface, this is a semi-realistic tale about the lives of wild rabbits, if rabbits could communicate using words. However, like most great books, it delves into universal truths and human concerns as much as animal ones. Adams makes valid points about the need for people to treat animals, the environment, and each other with greater respect and decency. The El-ahrairah tales, told periodically by the rabbits' storytellers about the original king of rabbits, a great Trickster, enhance the events and themes of the novel and add a touch of humor.

The rabbits in the story have distinct and memorable personalities. Hazel is the quiet and capable leader, Fiver is the seer, Blackberry is the intelligent problem solver, Bigwig is the rough-and-tumble chief of their Owsla (police), Bluebell is the jokester, and there are others. They even have their own language, Lapine, which is used frequently in the story. I'm proud to say that by the halfway point, I could understand the words "Silflay hraka, u embleer rah" (\\"Eat shit, you stinking chief\\") without referring to the glossary at the end. :)

I read this novel a couple of times during my teens or twenties and adored it. However, my recent read with the Cool Classics Pantsless group was my first in many years. While it can get a bit slow in parts, with Adams sometimes going overboard with detailed scenery descriptions, I truly believe this novel is a work of art and a well-deserved classic.

So, yeah.

Rabbits are going all out in England, facing various politics and engaging in discussions about mythology, death, and courage.

Oh, and if you didn't catch that part... it's a fantasy! They may not be able to count to five, but they have complex Briar-Rabbit mythologies. There's also a touch of Cassandra precognition and ghosts.

But don't let the next part disappoint you! It's a YA (Young Adult) story.

Many might argue that it's too graphic for kids, but that's a matter of personal opinion. After all, it's about rabbits. Have you ever explained to your little ones where the meat they eat comes from? It's all in the same vein. Kids aren't stupid. Well, most of them aren't. Give them some credit. :)

All in all, this truly is a classic. There's plenty to keep everyone entertained. It's a subversive, political, adventurous survival dystopia featuring charming bunnies.

Marlon Bundo, watch out! :)

I don't have any issues with anthropomorphism at all. When it is executed well and written in the proper manner, as countless authors have successfully done, suspension of disbelief can not only be achieved but almost completely eliminated. It has the power to draw readers into a captivating world where animals or other non-human entities take on human-like qualities and behaviors.

However, in 'Watership Down', unfortunately and disappointingly, this aspect feels not only dull and dreary but ultimately just silly and inane. The anthropomorphic elements seem forced and lack the charm and authenticity that could have made the story truly engaging. It fails to create a believable and immersive world for the readers.

Apologies as I am aware that there are many who are big fans of this novel. I understand that everyone has different tastes and preferences when it comes to literature. While 'Watership Down' may have its merits for some, for me, the execution of anthropomorphism in this particular case leaves much to be desired.

Nope. Nope. Nope. Nope. Nope.

I initially had the impression that this was going to be a charming and delightful story. I was imagining cute and adorable rabbits embarking on an exciting adventure. However, to my great disappointment, this turned out to be a very dark and depressing narrative. It lacks the necessary cheer and happiness that one would expect from a story featuring so many bunnies.

For me, this just doesn't hit the mark. I was looking forward to a lighthearted and enjoyable tale, but instead, I was met with a rather somber and disheartening experience. It's not the kind of story that I would recommend or want to read again.

I hope that in the future, there will be more stories about bunnies that are filled with joy, laughter, and positive emotions. That's the kind of story that I truly渴望 to read.

Ok, so this is a book that chronicles the adventures of a group of rabbits as they journey through a small expanse of the English countryside.

At first glance, it might seem like a tale that would only appeal to preteens. However, the truth is that it is a remarkable story, filled with vivid and complex characters.

The author has a deep understanding of rabbits, although there are occasional inaccuracies. The book reaches levels of depth and profundity that the movie of the same name fails to capture.

I was introduced to this book in an ideal way. A friend recorded the entire book on tape, and for several months, I would listen to her read a chapter or two just before falling asleep each night.

This slow and immersive experience might have influenced my perception, but with each subsequent rereading, I have come to appreciate the book even more.

You can read the book simply for the engaging story. Apparently, the author initially told these stories to his children, and it still serves that purpose well.

However, the richness of the characters allows for many interesting parallels to human life. For example, from Hazel, we can learn valuable lessons about leadership.

Throughout the book, Hazel emerges as the natural leader of his group of rabbits, but the author is careful to develop this impression through character traits rather than power dynamics.

This contrast is intentional, as the other leaders in the book achieve their status through very different means.

Many people believe that the book takes a strong stance against a particular form of authoritarian rule. However, it's important to note that this impression is not created through structured diatribe or argument.

Instead, it evolves organically from the character considerations and the story itself, resulting in a far more complex and nuanced portrayal.

For instance, General Woundwort, although seen as the main antagonist, is portrayed with some admirable qualities, even until the very end.

Fiver is another fascinating character, adding an element of magic to the story and linking the rabbits to a mythical world that frequently enters the narrative.

Bigwig is also a likable character, and his experiences in Efrafa are one of the highlights of the story.

Besides the well-developed characters, the descriptions of England in the book are also very sharp. You can actually follow the rabbits' journey on maps, as the author was meticulous in describing real places and things.

This attention to detail is often overlooked in reviews of the book.

Finally, what brings all these elements together and elevates the book beyond a simple story, an account of human characters, or a diatribe against fascism, is the author's awareness that he is telling the story from the perspective of rabbits.

The challenges they face, their ideas about the external world, and their philosophical insights are all presented in a rabbit-like way.

Adams manages to combine our anthropomorphized ideas of rabbits with the reality of rabbits in a surprisingly coherent manner.

I suppose the book can be regarded as a cultural study of an imaginatively rich yet realistic rabbit world.

I understand that not all readers may share my enthusiasm for the book. It does have some flaws, such as the limited appearance of female characters.

However, despite these limitations, I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good story and is willing to think deeply about a children's tale.

17 years have passed since my first encounter with this work. Now, upon reading it for the second time, my feelings have only deepened. It's truly remarkable how this piece has withstood the test of time and still manages to touch my heart so profoundly. The story, the characters, the emotions - everything is just as captivating as it was before, if not more so. I find myself completely immersed in its pages, unable to put it down. Five stars are simply not enough to describe the impact this book has had on me. It's a literary masterpiece that I will cherish for a lifetime.

Watership Down shares numerous similarities with the ancient epics. Here, a solitary warrior guides a group of beleaguered outcasts into the wilderness in search of a home. They are assisted by a seer who can foresee the future through his dreams. They encounter perilous quests, narrow escapes, fierce foes, and desperate siege assaults. However, unlike the works of Homer and Virgil, Watership Down is about rabbits, and appropriately so, as nearly all of its characters are rabbits.

Most four-footed protagonists in literature are little more than humans with fur. (Think of Stuart Little or Redwall.) But Adams takes a very different approach, which is evident from the start. The story begins with two young rabbits, Hazel and Fiver, living in a peaceful warren ruled by an old veteran named the Threarah. Scrawny and meditative, Fiver has premonitions of doom that will stain the fields with rabbit blood. When the Threarah ignores Fiver's counsel, Hazel decides to rouse as many as he can and flee. They are joined by Bigwig (a massive bruiser who was once part of the Threarah's personal guard), Dandelion (a master storyteller), Blackberry (a highly intelligent innovator), and Pipkin (a loyal but timid runt). When the Threarah's minions discover their plans, the motley crew must venture into the wilds under the threat of death.

Adams' departure from Disney-esque anthropomorphizing becomes even more pronounced in the culture he created for his rabbits. Much like Tolkien in The Lord of the Rings, Adams invented a language with its own detailed grammar and vocabulary. For example, Fiver's true name, Hrairoo, comes from hrair, the term for any number over four, as rabbits can count up to four. They call these greater sums \\"thousand,\\" and Fiver's name literally means \\"little thousand.\\" He was so named because he was small and one of the last born in his litter. Other words that appear, such as elil (“predators”), silflay (“to graze”), and narn (“something good to eat”), also have equally detailed explanations. Frith, the word for the sun, is particularly interesting as it has religious connotations. The rabbits are sun worshippers, adoring Lord Frith and the first rabbit he created, El-ahrairah, whose mischievous exploits are recounted several times in detail and who would put Odysseus to shame with his inventiveness.

The joy of reading Watership Down lies not only in its mythological色彩 but also in being swept along by every twist and turn of the plot, which is half adventure and half thriller (with a sprinkle of British botany, warren geography, and seagull dialect added to keep things interesting). If you find it hard to believe that it could be a coherent and entertaining read with so many disparate elements, you're not alone. It took months of persuasion from a friend to get me to open its cover. But it most definitely works, a testament to Adams' skill, as is the fact that when you reach the final page, you've come to feel that Hazel and his friends are just as courageous as Achilles or Aeneas, regardless of the length of their ears.

Animal Farm on Beta Carotenoids

Animal Farm on Beta Carotenoids is a work that attempts to anthropomorphize as much human cruelty as possible. It presents a shocking combination of dictatorship, torture, sex slavery, war, fundamentalism, and propaganda. What makes it especially interesting is the association of wild rabbits with unexpected behaviors. Instead of the typical sweet and cuddly image, they follow a hardcore leader style. And as if that wasn't already sad enough, there is also the black rabbit, Frith, and other instrumentalized faiths. The only thing missing seems to be a kind of economic terror, as religion is now in the mix too.

Although the main focus of criticism remains on fascism, the religious part plays a significant role, especially for the main protagonist who strongly believes in a kind of rabbit hero savior. Adams' one hit wonder, Watership Down, has its own merits. I compared it with Animal Farm in the opening line, and subjectively, Orwell is the better writer. Objectively, Adams wrote this one work that could potentially receive a 4-star rating or higher, while his other works don't fare as well. However, regardless of an author's talent, the tradition of using fables to indoctrinate people with good intentions is as old as time.
Especially for kids (who are old enough to handle the gore), this literary style can provide deep insights. It also has a deep connection to nature, which we once lived in, making animals dealing with human problems a fascinating thought experiment. I can't help but expand this concept to sci-fi and imagine all the possibilities of pimped cyborg bioenhanced animals satirizing the ideologies we'll create in the future. Or perhaps, in the present age, with some tales dealing with socioeconomic topics for adults, it could help them better understand the consequences of their political and economic opinions around the world. Strangely, there are many books and graphic novels that deal with the bloody consequences of various isms, but few show privileged first-world country people what they unknowingly are. The antagonists in these tales often profit from the outsourced suffering on other continents. Tropes play an important role in showing how literature is conceptualized and created, and which mixture of elements makes works and genres unique. https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.ph...

Still the best talking animal story.

This story has always held a special place in my heart. The concept of animals being able to communicate with humans in a meaningful way is truly fascinating.

The characters in the story are brought to life in the most vivid manner. Their personalities shine through their words and actions, making them relatable and endearing.

The plot is engaging and full of twists and turns that keep the reader on the edge of their seat. It explores themes such as friendship, loyalty, and courage, which are universal and timeless.

What makes this story stand out is the author's ability to create a world where animals have their own unique voices and perspectives. It allows us to see the world from their point of view and gain a deeper understanding of their lives.

Overall, this is a story that I would highly recommend to anyone who loves a good adventure or a heartwarming tale. It is truly a classic that will be enjoyed by generations to come.

April group read with the Pantsless Non-Crunchy Classics people!
This book truly evokes the sense of an old-fashioned tale. It makes perfect sense when one discovers that it originated as a story Richard Adams crafted for his daughters. The vivid descriptions have made me fall head over heels in love with the English countryside. Even though I could easily envision the story unfolding in my own backyard, it also warmly reminded me of the rabbits I had as pets in the past. Surprisingly, I never expected to shed tears while reading this, but that final paragraph - not even a full page, just a single paragraph - did the trick. Goodness gracious!

However, it is an absolutely fantastic story, and it's no wonder that it has become a classic. The inspirations for stories such as the WarriorCats series by Erin Hunter and David Clement-Davies' books are immediately evident. There's a high probability that if one of my anthropomorphic animal-story ideas ever takes off, I would list this as a personal inspiration.

It is truly timeless.

Update after seeing the original adaptation: I'm beginning to think I need a shelf for adaptations that were just meh. I wasn't particularly enthralled, although I did still cry at the end. Nevertheless, I AM looking forward to the BBC/Netflix version! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Watersh...