I have an absolute passion for "Watership Down." So, when I came across this book at the used book store, seeing that it was by the same author and priced at just $1, I was eager to give it a read. However, to my great disappointment, I truly detest this book.

It was unbelievably dull. One chapter exhaustively detailed the minutiae of shopkeeping and interviewing someone, which was mind-numbingly tedious. Moreover, it lacked a coherent storyline. It appeared to become interesting in the chapter where the narrator was suggested to possess ESP. But alas, that plot point led nowhere, as if it had never occurred at all. I constantly found myself questioning what the book was truly about and where the story was headed.

The narrative felt disjointed and confusing, and it made very little sense to me throughout. Even at the conclusion, nothing was ever fully or explicitly explained. Additionally, I did not find the main characters likable. Alan seems to predominantly (or perhaps only) value Kathe for her physical appearance and her ability to sexually satisfy him, and he values her above all else in the most extreme ways. Meanwhile, Kathe seems to be an untrustworthy, deceptive, and manipulative individual. I would hardly classify it as a "ghost story" but rather as a story that merely contains a ghost. It also faintly reminds me of the relationship in "Wuthering Heights" (another book that I dislike), and I would most definitely describe both relationships as unhealthy.

Overall, this book was a major letdown for me.

This is a truly challenging book to review, as my emotions are in a complete turmoil.

The story revolves around an uptight Englishman named Alan Desland, who is a dealer in ceramics. He falls deeply in love with a mysterious and beautiful German woman named Kathe. Astonishingly, within just a week, he proposes to her, and she willingly follows him to England.

At first glance, she seems to be the perfect wife. However, she is burdened, both literally and figuratively, by a terrible secret.

The book is extremely well-written, and despite its extremely slow pace, it managed to hold my interest throughout. Nevertheless, in the end, I simply couldn't be convinced by the central premise.

The idea that Kathe, an apparently decent and mentally balanced woman, would kill her own daughter just to stay with a man she had only known for one week seems highly improbable to me.

Therefore, I can't truthfully say that I "liked" the book. On the other hand, it has left an impression on me and will likely stay with me for some time. In fact, this morning, I woke up with P.J. Harvey's song "Down by the Water" playing in my head, which could potentially serve as the theme song for this novel.

Although I truly relished this story,

it is likely that it should be assigned a rating of at least pg-13

owing to the sexual essence that pervades a significant portion of the storyline.

It brought to my mind the works of Edgar Alan Poe,

with its haunting atmosphere, intense drive, passionate undertones, and mysterious forebodings.

I don't envision myself reading it again,

simply because I recall it as being somewhat risqué.

However, there is no denying that it was undeniably fascinating.

The way the story weaves together elements of sexuality and mystery

creates a unique and engaging narrative that leaves a lasting impression.

While it may not be suitable for all audiences,

for those who appreciate a bit of edginess and the darker side of human nature,

this story could prove to be a captivating read.

I read this a long time ago and decided to reread it recently. Richard Adam’s Girl in a Swing is oddly absorbing.

Here, a young man falls deeply in love with a girl who reveals nothing to him. He is completely captivated by her beauty and impulsively decides to invite her to be his wife.

The author smoothly weaves secrets into the tale, much like seeds that are waiting to bloom into thorns perhaps. And, even though I had read the book before, I didn't guess until quite a ways through what was causing the sense of unease.

The Girl in a Swing has the ability to make you like its characters and then quietly show their flaws. It's a horror story with heart, where the horror is so understated that it's more like an eerie trickle of tears in the night.

It's both sad and haunting. I'm glad I reread it, and I'll probably reread it again one day.

Disclosure: My copy even has that old-book smell!

This unique scent adds to the charm and authenticity of the reading experience, making it even more special.

Really, this book should stay exactly as it is. It is my absolute go-to book.

I have read it countless times and I am now word perfect. However, it is such an amazing book that I know without a doubt that I will read it again.

The story within its pages is so captivating and engaging that it never gets old. Each time I pick it up, I discover something new or see a familiar scene from a different perspective.

The characters are so well-developed that they feel like real people, and I find myself emotionally invested in their lives and adventures.

This book has truly become a part of me, and I can't imagine my life without it. I will continue to cherish it and recommend it to anyone who is looking for a great read.

Here is an interesting story, though it might be a bit long-winded.

It also has a quite old-fashioned feel to it, as if it had been penned in the 1950s or 1960s.

However, I have a much greater preference for his 'animal' stories.

There is something truly captivating about the way he portrays the lives and behaviors of animals in his stories.

Perhaps it is the unique perspective he offers or the vivid details he includes.

Whatever the reason, his 'animal' stories always manage to draw me in and keep me engaged from beginning to end.

They have a charm and appeal that is all their own, and I can't get enough of them.

I look forward to reading more of his works in the future, especially those that focus on the wonderful world of animals.

I got quite far into the novel, but unfortunately, I could not bring myself to finish it.

Previously, I have thoroughly enjoyed Richard Adams' works. However, this particular one had a very strange quality to it, almost like a weird dream. It made little sense overall, and I struggled to extract anything of real significance from it.

I had anticipated that it would be a more romantic and perhaps erotic or sensual kind of story. But to my disappointment, it just didn't make any sense at all. There were certain parts of this book that really disrupted my immersion in the story. What ultimately made me put the book down for good was a "sex" scene that seemed far from consensual. The way it was brushed aside was far too light for my taste.

I simply couldn't feel any connection between the couple. To be honest, I'm not quite sure what I actually read. I really did try to get into it, but it just didn't work for me. Therefore, I wouldn't recommend this book as the first one to pick up by Richard Adams.

I quickly came to the realization within the initial 30 pages that this book was likely not going to be one that I would truly relish. However, I stubbornly forced myself to persevere and complete it. I found myself plodding through the pages, hoping that something would change and capture my interest. But alas, as I continued reading, my lack of enthusiasm persisted. The story seemed to drag on, and the characters failed to engage me on a deeper level. Despite my best efforts, I couldn't seem to find the magic that would make this book a truly enjoyable read. In the end, I finished the book, but it left me with a sense of disappointment and a feeling that I had wasted my time.

I couldn't finish this book.

The female lead is of a capricious, princess-y nature, the kind that I strive to avoid in my real life. Certainly, I have no desire to read a novel centered around such a character.

Otherwise, it's a rather dull story about a very prim man who has a passion for collecting ceramics. And, well, that's pretty much all there is to it.

With well over a hundred pages already read, I still hadn't encountered anything that could be described as "haunting" or "erotic". As a result, I simply put the book down.

Definitely not a Shardik! It fails to capture my interest and falls far short of the engaging and captivating qualities that I look for in a good read.

I'm left disappointed and hoping to find a more compelling novel to satisfy my literary cravings.

I really liked the style of this work. The way it was written had a certain charm that immediately caught my attention.

However, when it came to the story itself, I didn't enjoy it as much. There was just too much nastiness involved. It felt like the author was trying to shock the readers with all the gruesome details.

In fact, it could almost be considered a genuine horror story. The kind that makes your skin crawl and gives you nightmares.

While I appreciate the creativity and the effort that went into writing it, the overall tone and content were a bit too much for my taste.

I would have preferred a story that was more engaging and less focused on the negative and disturbing aspects.

Nevertheless, I can still see the value in this piece and understand why some people might really like it. It just wasn't for me.

Perhaps if the author had toned down the nastiness and added a bit more depth and character development, I would have had a different opinion.

But as it stands, I'm left with a somewhat mixed feeling about this work.

Horrifying, but one of my favorites!

This statement might seem paradoxical at first glance. How can something be both horrifying and a favorite? Well, in the world of art, literature, and entertainment, there are often works that have this dual nature.

Take horror movies, for example. They can be truly terrifying, with their jump scares, grotesque images, and spine-chilling music. But for some people, the thrill of being scared is what makes these movies so appealing. It's a way to experience intense emotions in a safe environment and then walk away unscathed.

The same can be said for horror novels. They can transport readers to dark and disturbing worlds, filled with monsters, ghosts, and other supernatural entities. But despite the fear they evoke, many people find themselves drawn to these stories, eager to see what will happen next.

In conclusion, while something may be horrifying on the surface, it can still hold a special place in our hearts and minds. Whether it's a horror movie, a novel, or some other form of art, the ability to elicit strong emotions is what makes it truly memorable.

Hmm,

this wasn't Watership Down (in every conceivable meaning). It was a rather strange book, to be honest. I'm not really sure what I think about it. There were parts that were really quite gripping, but overall, it had a certain oddness to it that made it a bit hard to fully embrace.

I find myself giving it 3 stars, which seems to be my go-to rating these days. Maybe it's because I'm getting more discerning in my reading, or perhaps it's just that I'm not as easily impressed as I used to be.

Either way, this book was an interesting read, but it didn't quite live up to my expectations. I'm curious to see what others think of it.