Life is so incredibly diverse, encompassing the nefarious and the temerarious.

People and things engage in all sorts of actions, pulling faces and making fierce grimaces.

These actions leave their marks in the most unexpected places, such as rocky terrains.

There are pieces and even faeces scattered all over the fleece.

One might wonder if that is a yow's shoulder that has been left there to moulder, stuck up on a boulder.

This scene, described on page 76, paints a vivid picture of the chaos and variety that life can bring.

It makes us stop and think about the different ways in which we interact with the world around us and the lasting impressions we leave behind.

Whether it's through our expressions, our actions, or the things we leave behind, we all have an impact on the world, for better or for worse.

I truly "enjoy" Richard Adams' books. I don't know anyone else who can write in the same way as him. His imagination is extremely strange, yet in a good, inventive manner.

I firmly believe that this book might have a greater impact on those who have animals as pets, but I'm not entirely sure. I know that ever since I got a dog, I've become more sensitive to the well-being of beasts.

I love the way Adams portrays the animals, their thoughts, and instincts. If you read slowly enough (like I tend to do), it helps you to put yourself in their more visceral, present reality. However, I can't say for sure, and that's one of the things this book does for me: it tempers my dismissiveness of the experience of others.

Parts of the book are (non-animal) biting. You can sense the derision that Adams has for a certain type of people who are overly, what I would call "clinical" or "mechanistic", or perhaps those who just think about their "work" as being more important than the lives and flourishing of other creatures. It's possible I could label that as "bureaucracy".

Now, if you've read Watership Down, you'll be familiar with how the animal characters tell their species-centric myths. There's a part where the two dogs are sharing their stories, and this bit, where the 'creator star-dog' is talking to the first human he made, might be a good thesis for the book:

But I want you to remember all the time that if I've made you the most powerful animal it's so that you can look after the others - help them to do the best they can for themselves, see they're not wasted and so on. You're in charge of the world. You must try to act with dignity, like me. Don't go doing anything mean or senseless. (137)

There are several "soliloquies" by Adams where he rants about the price modern people are paying for their "progress". It makes for interesting reading.

One thing Adams does is have the dogs believe that humans are basically all-powerful. They run the world and can remove cities at their whim (when the dogs find themselves in the wild countryside). It's not clear if this is a result of the domestication of dogs, but it leads to some interesting "conversations" by the dogs in their struggles. For example:

'As far as I can see,' said Rowf, 'it's better never to have had a master. I wish that Annie was here - I'd chew her up for you. I hate all humans: I hate them!'
'Perhaps they don't really know any more than we do. Perhaps even humans have their troubles.'
'Don't be so damned silly.'
'I am silly. But they never look happy, do they - not like - well, not like a chaffinch or a puppy. Perhaps they don't know what they're doing any more than we do. Perhaps they do bad things to each other, not just to us - '

A few more things.

1) I like the ways some of the characters evolve.

2) I had trepidation about the ending before I read it: I won't tell you if that was justified or not.

3) Two more quotes regarding Adams' musings:

One, explaining the results of experiments on birds (their ability to return home when maimed or disabled in some way), you can see his wit:

The results of all the experiments so far had been most informative, yielding the basic information that while some of the birds succeeded in returning home, others did not. Many, in fact, in obedience to their defective stimuli, had flown straight out to sea until they perished; which was most interesting One could draw the firm and valuable conclusion first, that birds whose faculties had been impaired were less swift and competent in getting home than birds whose faculties had not; and secondly, that in any given group, some succeeded in returning while others, who did not, presumably died. (27-28)

And the last quote involves Adams (with dry wit) putting himself into the mouths of other characters (in writing about animals):

'I must say though,' he said, scanning the sea reflectively, 'I think that for ordinary, non-specialist people, a certain amount of anthropomorphism's probably useful in helping them to arrive at feeling and sympathy for animals - that's to say, readiness to put the good of the species, or even just the welfare of an individual creature, above their own advantage or profit. We can't all have scientific minds.' (442)

Anyway, I'll leave it there. But it's a unique book (as I've said), and I really enjoyed it.

Possibly the saddest book I’ve ever read. It is a bit less “Disney” than Watership Down, yet it is just as well written and makes for a very riveting read. The story unfolds in a way that truly tugs at your heartstrings.

If you didn’t hate animal testing before reading this book, you most definitely will after. It presents a vivid and harrowing picture of the cruel reality that animals face in the name of experimentation. The details are both disturbing and eye-opening, making you question the ethics and morality of such practices.

The author has done an excellent job of bringing the characters and their experiences to life, making it impossible not to become emotionally invested in their fates. This book is not only a powerful indictment of animal testing but also a beautiful work of literature that will stay with you long after you’ve turned the last page.

Adams breaks many a literary rule in this glorious chase across the English Lake District.

His writing style is bold and unconventional, yet it manages to capture the essence and beauty of the region with remarkable precision.

The story is filled with vivid descriptions and engaging characters that draw the reader in and keep them hooked until the very end.

For students of literary and art history, this book is a treasure trove of nuggets.

It offers insights into the works of famous writers and artists who have been inspired by the Lake District over the years.

Moreover, it showcases the power of literature to transport us to different places and times, and to make us see the world in a new light.

In comparison to the deservedly famous rabbit book, this one is far superior.

It has a depth and complexity that the other lacks, and it will appeal to a wider audience of readers who are looking for something more than just a simple story.

Overall, Adams' book is a must-read for anyone who loves literature, art, and the beauty of nature.

YES! It is truly poetically written. The words seem to dance on the page, painting a vivid picture in my mind. It's as if the author has a magical touch, able to bring the story to life with their pen.

And let's not forget, I love dogs. They are such wonderful creatures, full of loyalty and love. Their presence can brighten up even the darkest of days. Whether it's a playful puppy or a gentle old dog, they have a special place in my heart.

This combination of beautiful writing and my love for dogs makes this article truly captivating. It makes me want to keep reading, to explore more of the author's world and the adventures of their canine companions.

If you have an affinity for stories where animals engage in rational dialogues among themselves, delving into the weaknesses and misdeeds of us humans, then you're likely to find large portions of The Plague Dogs highly enjoyable.

The escapades of Snitter and Rowf are truly captivating. They manage to flee from the Animal Research, Scientific and Experimental (A.R.S.E.) facility near Coniston in Cumbria. As they traverse the Fells of the English Lake District, they are constantly on the run, desperately striving to avoid recapture. Their journey is filled with entertainment, moments of amusement, and often tugs at the heartstrings.

Rowf has endured harrowing experiments on survival rates in near drowning scenarios. He was repeatedly submerged in a large tank of water, which unsurprisingly has left him with a paralyzing fear of standing water and a deep-seated hatred for humans, particularly those clad in white lab coats. Snitter, on the other hand, has undergone a brain operation that has left him with a partially healed head wound and symptoms similar to dementia. His mind frequently drifts back to a blissful past with a kind and caring master.

During their travels through the wintry Lake District, they encounter the tod, a cunning fox with what appears to be a Geordie accent, although it might be intended as a voice from Northumberland. The tod proves to be a valuable guide, leading them to food and teaching them the ways of survival. The accent of the tod and the local Cumbrian humans is spelled out almost phonetically, which can be quite challenging to follow at times. I'm not entirely convinced that it significantly enhances the storytelling.

While the author remains focused on the animals' storyline, the book makes for a very satisfying read. However, although he doesn't shy away from expressing his disdain for those who conduct experiments on animals and those who authorize such actions, and his views are understandable, his insistence on transforming a significant portion of his novel into a satire of the UK Civil Service falls somewhat flat. Having been a civil servant myself in the past, I can empathize with his feelings. Mr. Adams served his country at a relatively high level, and the years of frustration in dealing with snooty and arrogant superiors are palpable. This frustration reaches a boiling point with the plight of poor Mr. Powell, a junior scientist at A.R.S.E., and those beneath him.

When the dogs seemingly commit an atrocity and remain elusive, the Secretary of State wakes up and decides that he must be seen to be taking action. The Civil Service chain of command, or rather the art of buck passing, kicks into gear. The Secretary informs the Director of A.R.S.E. that heads must roll, and at least one must be seen to be rolling. The Director then relays this message to Dr. Boycott, the station commander in Cumbria. He orders the immediate dismissal of the most junior staff member, a completely innocent teenager on work experience, on the pretext that he is the easiest to discard without facing legal consequences.随后, he tells Mr. Powell, who is not entirely competent to be in a secret government establishment, that he will be moved sideways to avoid harm. Held in disgrace, Mr. Powell becomes a scapegoat, allowing Dr. Boycott, the Director, and the Secretary of State to maintain the appearance of efficiency and safeguard their well-paid jobs. This is the harsh reality of how the world operates.

The author also takes further satirical jabs at the media through ace, and completely corrupt, tabloid newspaper reporter Digby Driver and his loud-mouthed boss Quilliam. Even the Army doesn't escape unscathed when they send in the Paras to bring Snitter and Rawf to justice. The humor in the satire is rather obvious and lacks inspiration, and at times it has a slightly bitter edge.

The final scenes of the book are filled with soft, gooey romanticism of the kind that Disney would surely drool over. However, even this is marred by the introduction of figures from the real world. I'm certain that Sir Peter Scott and Ronald Locksley were as charming and humane as the book portrays them, and they had an admirable love for animals. Nevertheless, their presence feels more like an intrusion into the story rather than an improvement. And there is an unfortunate sentence in which Mr. Locksley's love of animals could be called into question. He and Sir Peter are sailing off the coast of Cumbria, musing on the beauties of nature, when it is observed:

Ronald sat at the helm, cutting beef for sandwiches off the bone and reflecting on the frame of things disjointed.

Yes. I love animals, especially when they're roasted and sliced between two slices of bread.

Overall, it's an enjoyable novel. If only Mr. Adams had confined the story to the talking dogs.

This book initially presented a challenge for me to engage with. However, it ultimately turned out to be incredibly interesting.

Unlike "Watership Down", which is one of my favorites, this book is narrated from the perspectives of both the dogs and the humans in their vicinity. Additionally, while Adams has stated that "Watership Down" is not an allegory but simply a story about rabbits, this book clearly has a great deal to convey.

It delves into the ethical issues that are inherent in animal testing and captivity, as well as exploring the power of the media, both for good and for ill. I had concerns about a potentially sad ending, but I was very pleased with the outcome.

The author's ability to present these complex themes in an engaging and thought-provoking way is truly remarkable. It makes the reader reflect on the treatment of animals and the role of the media in our society.

Overall, I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in these topics or simply enjoys a well-written and engaging story.

What I didn’t like:

Graphic descriptions of animal cruelty were presented. While I understand their significance in making the author's point, for a dog lover like me, they were extremely hard to stomach. It was truly disturbing to read about the suffering of those innocent animals.

At times, there were long and convoluted sentences that required me to re-read them several times to make sense of their meaning. This made the reading process a bit more challenging than it should have been.

Personally, as an animal lover, I find the concept of anthropomorphism rather difficult to deal with. Although the author did attempt to explain it towards the end of the book, it still didn't completely resonate with me.

The way the regional accent was written phonetically was also a drawback. It was really hard to read and I think we are all quite capable of imagining a Northern accent without having it written out in such a detailed way.

What I liked:

I appreciated the fact that the author was drawing people's attention to the important subject of cruelty to animals and experimentation on them. I imagine this was even more relevant in the late 1970s when the book was written, compared to now.

The descriptions of the landscape and weather of the Lake District were very vivid and added a nice touch to the story.

And finally, who doesn't love a sentimental happy ending? It gave a sense of closure and made me feel good after reading about all the hardships in the book.

Overall, I would rate this book 3/5, with an extra point just because of the dogs.

A beautifully written allegory unfolds before us, one that delves into the themes of hope and camaraderie. It is a story that also explores dogged determination and the unwavering commitment to 'doing the right thing'. Set against the cruel beauty of the Lake District, this narrative takes us on a journey through a world that is both harsh and enchanting.

As we turn the pages, we encounter pain and suffering, and even tragedy. But within these hardships, there lies a deep sympathy for nature. The author's love for the natural world shines through, painting a vivid picture of the landscapes and wildlife that inhabit the area.

Moreover, this book is not just a story; it is also a manual for what it means to be British. It offers insights into the values, traditions, and spirit of the British people. And to enhance our understanding, it contains gorgeous hand-drawn maps of the area, allowing us to visually explore the setting and immerse ourselves even further in this captivating tale.

After I read Watership Down (30 years ago), I remember picking this book up and

immediately putting it down just after the preface. I really should have listened to my younger self.

This book is, well, meh. The two main characters, which are the dogs, are somewhat interesting. However, all but two of the (surviving) human characters don't really stick in my memory. The dogs have an adventure, but it feels aimless. It doesn't seem to lead anywhere in particular. It's almost as if the author wanted to create a travel guide to the Lake District rather than a proper novel. But since he's a novelist, this is what he ended up doing. He seems to be too in love with the Geordie accent. Instead of enhancing the setting, it just confuses the reader. He's also trying to convey a MESSAGE (tm), but either I'm too jaded or he doesn't do a good enough job of it for me to really care.

This was more of a literary experiment than a fully engaging book. It does have two or three cool moments, but that's not enough to make me want to read the whole thing.

I was truly and deeply emotionally invested in Snitter and Rowf. At times, their suffering and their triumphs moved me to tears.

This remarkable book is far more than just a simple message about animal cruelty. It delves into a profound exploration of the loss of humanity and empathy.

Moreover, it presents an intricate and captivating tale that encompasses survival, media manipulation, bureaucratic red tape, and the possibility of redemption for those few human characters who have lost their way.

Richard Adams is not only a master storyteller, but his prose is also incredibly powerful and haunting. It has been a long time since I have felt such a strong connection and emotion for the characters in a book. His ability to bring these characters to life and make the reader care so deeply is a testament to his literary genius.

This book is a must-read for anyone who wants to be touched by a story that goes beyond the surface and explores the depths of the human and animal experience.

The environment described in this story is just too dark for my taste.

I had to put it aside after reading only a few pages due to the extremely graphic descriptions of the tests conducted on the poor lab animals.

Moreover, the dialect in which the story is written makes it a bit of a struggle to get through.

The prose is also overly forceful and lacks the finesse and elegance that I was hoping for.

It is definitely not on par with the wonderful "Watership Down", which had a more engaging and captivating style.

I was really disappointed with this book and would not recommend it to others who are looking for a light and enjoyable read.

Perhaps if the author had toned down the darkness and improved the writing style, it could have been a better story.

As it is, I will be looking for something else to read that can provide me with a more pleasant and fulfilling literary experience.