Community Reviews

Rating(4.1 / 5.0, 100 votes)
5 stars
33(33%)
4 stars
39(39%)
3 stars
28(28%)
2 stars
0(0%)
1 stars
0(0%)
100 reviews
July 15,2025
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Richard Adams is always a slow burn - but always worth the ending.

I could not put it down today until I KNEW whether or not Snitter and Rowf survived.

He pulled together a plot that would make Shakespeare proud.

The ending destroyed me.


Two dogs escape a testing facility.

One is repeatedly endurance-tested for swimming until he is near death daily.

The other received brain surgery to alter his perception of the objective and subjective.

The dynamic duo must survive together while being chased by the British public.

Thanks to a sensational journalist seeking to destroy public trust in the government, the public believes they are carrying the Black Plague.

While the dogs must fight starvation in the wilderness with the help of a con-man fox named Tod with a hilarious Scottish accent, little do they know the government is out to destroy them.

They must fight through their traumatic experiences at the testing facility as they venture.

Readers begin to learn about their pasts as well as the pasts of the humans influencing their fate.

I won’t spoil it, but the plot is WILD.


This story is a captivating journey that takes readers through the struggles and adventures of these two dogs.

The characters are well-developed and the plot is full of twists and turns.

It makes you think about the treatment of animals in testing facilities and the power of the media.

Overall, it is a must-read for anyone who loves a good adventure story with a deeper message.

July 15,2025
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I started reading the article but didn't finish it. I could have tolerated the sad story line, but the monotonous description, incomprehensible speech and vocabulary, and the constant pushing of the author's agenda against animal research made it too much for me.

Most importantly, I simply couldn't understand what was being said. Phrases like “Cum oot, ye greet find article! Sharp wi’ ye noo - afore wor aall knacked!” left me spending far too much time trying to make sense of the nonsense. I've reached my limit and I'm done with this article. It's a pity because there might have been some interesting ideas hidden within, but the presentation made it impossible for me to access them. I hope that in the future, the author will consider using more accessible language and a more engaging writing style to convey their message.
July 15,2025
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Unsettling, raw and compelling, this book is a real gem, although perhaps a little dated in certain aspects.

Through the imagined subjective experiences of the animal characters, Adams showcases his remarkable talent for capturing the trauma and desperation they endure. He is truly a great storyteller, and the narrative is brilliantly crafted. What makes this book even more special is his ability to balance these elements with a cold and incisive satire about science, government, and our attitude towards animals. It's not just a story; it's a mirror held up to Western society, urging us to look deep within and see ourselves.

In many ways, this work can be considered a philosophical treatise. Adams manages to pose the same profound questions about our relationship with the natural world as Peter Singer.

The only drawback that prevented me from giving this book a full 5-star rating was the ending. The resolution was so neatly tied up that it failed to allow the questions raised by the book to seep into our everyday lives. Everything was neatly contained within the narrative, even the monkey in the tube, who was almost a symbol of meaningless suffering. This lack of authenticity didn't ring true. In reality, the government minister isn't brought down, and the animals don't always have a happy ending.
July 15,2025
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If 1/2 stars were available, I'd give this book a 2 1/2 instead of a 3-star rating. It's not that it was all that terribly bad.

I just felt that it was incredibly average and quite honestly blah in parts. From what I have heard and read myself, I feel that this is definitely the low point in Richard Adams' writing.

I think my two main problems with this book are as follows. First, the amount of space that Adams uses to push his political agenda down the reader's throat. While I totally agree that the inhumane treatment of animals in research facilities is deplorable and something must be done about such activities, after a while when reading the novel, I began to dread the sections that did not concern the dogs' activities directly.

This leads directly to my second issue. The sections of the book that concern the dogs begin to get rather droll as the dogs never really make any progress towards a productive goal. In fact, they travel around the countryside for days and end up back at the same spot they were in after their first day of freedom following their escape. It gets very frustrating.

However, the last fifty pages or so, the pace does change quite a bit and the book does have a satisfying conclusion. I had no problems with Adams' writing style. He does have a way with putting sentences together that makes them flow fairly easily. I also rather enjoyed several of the characters in the novel, especially the two dogs. But despite this, I just simply found it to be more of a chore to read than a pleasure.
July 15,2025
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Wow…

I did not expect that ending. And I mean that in the best way possible
July 15,2025
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I started this book at least ten times before I could read past the first chapter.

This book will truly shatter the heart of any animal lover.

It is the story of two animals that manage to escape from an animal testing lab, told from the unique perspective of the animals themselves.

While the writing style can be a bit challenging to absorb as Adams endeavors to depict the mental state of the characters, the tale is without a doubt well worth the read.

It appears to me that it is an excellent means to step out of our familiar realm and view the world through a different set of eyes.

By experiencing the story from the animals' point of view, we gain a new understanding and empathy for their plight.

This book not only entertains but also makes us reflect on the treatment of animals in laboratories and encourages us to consider their rights and well-being.

It is a powerful and thought-provoking read that I would highly recommend to anyone interested in animal welfare or looking for a unique and engaging story.

July 15,2025
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Different from many animal books I’ve read, this one stands out. The author delves into very emotional and painful topics, yet manages to do so in a way that doesn't make you feel queasy or unable to stomach what lies ahead. It is truly a powerful and painful read, but at the same time, it is also beautiful. The way the author presents the stories and the emotions involved is both captivating and heart-wrenching. I'm glad I gave this book a chance, as it has opened my eyes to a different side of the animal world and made me think more deeply about the relationships between animals and humans. It's a book that will stay with you long after you've turned the last page.

July 15,2025
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If you are attentive while reading this book, you will notice that this story is anti-vivisection. It shows that there is no benefit to the human race in such cruel practices as smoking beagles and blinding rabbits with cosmetics. At the same time, it recognizes that potentially lifesaving drugs need to be tested before they can be prescribed.


The story also rails against tabloid press sensationalism used to sell papers and the party political point scoring in parliament, where bilateral relations could actually solve an issue. Additionally, it manages to squeeze in the importance of environmentalism. It highlights the lunacy of knee-jerk actions over considered decisions and points out that hard scientific facts should outweigh public opinion.


It's quite remarkable considering that this is basically a children's book about a pair of dogs trying to survive without anyone to feed them. The author has managed to convey these important messages in a way that is accessible and engaging for young readers, while also making them think about serious issues.

July 15,2025
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A Gruelling Fantasy with a Serious Underlying Message


Fantasy literature often takes readers on wild and exciting adventures, but some works go beyond the surface entertainment and carry a deeper, more profound message. One such example is a particular gruelling fantasy that captivates audiences with its intense and often harrowing storylines.


This fantasy world is filled with challenges and hardships that the characters must endure. From epic battles to personal struggles, the narrative keeps readers on the edge of their seats. However, beneath the thrilling action lies a serious underlying message about the human condition, perseverance, and the power of hope.


The author uses the fantastical elements to explore themes such as courage, sacrifice, and the importance of moral choices. Through the experiences of the characters, readers are forced to confront their own beliefs and values. This gruelling fantasy serves as a reminder that even in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds, there is always a glimmer of hope and the potential for growth and transformation.


Overall, this particular gruelling fantasy offers a unique and engaging reading experience that combines the excitement of a thrilling adventure with the thought-provoking depth of a serious message. It is a testament to the power of literature to both entertain and启迪 readers.

July 15,2025
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Richard Adams' Watership Down is truly one of my all-time favorite books and无疑是最出色的异种小说之一。I had听闻 \\"Plague Dogs\\" was a类似的读物, and尽管听说它比 \\"Watership Down\\" 更黑暗、更阴郁,我还是决定试一试。毕竟,谁不喜欢小说里的狗狗呢?然而,如果你拿起 \\"Plague Dogs\\" 期待着像 \\"Watership Down\\" 那样的神话和冒险,你会非常失望——这是一本令人痛苦且冗长的读物,似乎在竭尽全力地强调人类总体上是多么可怕。

Rowf和Snitter是生活在英国一个研究机构的两只狗,正在经历可怕的实验——Rowf每天都几乎被淹死以测试它的耐力,而Snitter则要接受痛苦且可怕的脑部手术。当这两只狗设法逃脱后,Rowf只想再也不见“白大褂”或水,而Snitter则想找到一个善良的主人来取代它失去的那个。在一只狡猾的狐狸的帮助下,它们开始在野外求生……但当媒体得知这两只逃脱的狗——并错误地报道说它们感染了黑死病——这引发了一场疯狂的追捕,对Rowf和Snitter来说可能是致命的……

Adams的写作很出色,在 \\"Watership Down\\" 中,他赋予了兔子角色的故事以神话的分量。在这里,神话元素少了很多,更多的是对英国乡村和各种次要角色背景故事的冗长描述,而这些冗长的段落除了增加书的篇幅外,没有什么其他作用。这个故事本可以轻松地用一半的篇幅来讲述,尤其是因为作者经常喜欢滔滔不绝地发表议论,试图押韵和卖弄聪明,并且/或者不加掩饰地将自己的观点直接倾泻在书页上,不管是否通过角色来表达。

除了两只狗之外,其他角色大多都不讨人喜欢——即使是那两只狗,Rowf也几乎总是脾气暴躁,而Snitter则几乎处于精神错乱的边缘,很多时候都让人难以理解。我并不是说我期望角色总是阳光开朗的,尤其是当他们经历了可怕的事情之后,但这些角色单调的冷酷让人很难读下去。其他许多角色要么自私自利到了极点(狐狸),要么无可救药地邪恶(大多数科学家),要么平淡无奇。记者是我们在书中看到的唯一一个有实际发展的角色,但由于大部分发展都发生在书的最后部分,对许多读者来说,这可能显得为时已晚。

此外,这本书很黑暗——Adams毫不回避动物实验的可怕之处。遗憾的是,这往往陷入了“科学是邪恶的”陷阱,将所有科学家都描绘成可怕的人。我自己也不是动物实验的支持者,书中的一些实验让我不寒而栗,但说实话,我本希望科学家们不要那么像刻板的反派。

\\"The Plague Dogs\\" 不是Adams最好的书,它是一本非常令人不舒服和阴郁的读物。如果你对动物虐待很敏感,请谨慎阅读,也不要期望它有 \\"Watership Down\\" 那样的神话和冒险。
July 15,2025
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I truly liked this book.

The Plague Dogs is set sometime around the 1970s in England. It chronicles the adventures of Snitter and Rowf, two dogs that manage to escape from an animal research laboratory.

This book, which was also written around the 1970s, clearly shows its age. It reflects the culture of that era not only in the story but also in the prose.

The book contains satirical elements and delves into the ethics of animal research. It examines the motivations and goals of various people associated with it, such as the scientists, the animals themselves, government officials, the press, and the general public.

Overall, if you're seeking excitement and intrigue, this isn't the book for you. However, it offers a slower, more idyllic adventure that I firmly believe is well worth the read. It provides a unique perspective on a relevant topic and takes the reader on a journey that is both thought-provoking and engaging.

July 15,2025
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So much to talk about

There is truly an abundance of topics that we can explore and discuss. It seems as if the well of conversation never runs dry. We could delve into the latest news and current events, sharing our thoughts and opinions on the happenings around the world. Or perhaps we might turn our attention to more personal matters, such as our dreams, goals, and experiences. There are also countless interests and hobbies that we could engage in, from sports and music to art and literature. The possibilities are truly endless. Whether we are having a casual chat with friends or engaging in a more in-depth discussion with colleagues, there is always so much to talk about. It is through these conversations that we learn, grow, and connect with others. So let's embrace the opportunity to talk and share, and see where the conversations take us.
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