Watership Down: A Novel by Richard Adams
|
List Price: Our Price: $7.40 You Save: $9.60 (56%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $2.91 (click here) Category: Book See more book details and other editions |
|---|
Book Reviews of Watership Down: A Novel
Book Review: An Unexpected Gem
Summary: 5 Stars
I'm a bookworm of the first order. So, when I say a book is among the best I've ever read, it means something. And this book isn't just among the best I've ever read, it's also my among my all time favourites. Now, I fully understand that `Watership Down' is a hard sell. It's it's about RABBITS for crying out load! What self-respecting adult wants to read a book about rabbits? But don't be so quick to judge.
Life is quiet and predictable Sandleford Warren. But one young rabbit, Fiver, senses a deadly danger looming ahead. Within days eleven rabbits choose to abandon their home. Few of the small group believe in Fiver's sixth sense but each one has his reasons for believing that there may be a better life for them beyond the warren of their birth. Lead by Hazel - Fiver's brother and one of the few who believe in his brother's strange gift - the assorted rabbits set out with no idea of the distance they would have to traverse, the dangers they would have to overcome, or the plots that threaten their dream of a new home - a place called Watership Down.
The unforgettable nature of the story is it's sense of realism. Richard Adam extensively researched rabbits before beginning this story. He knows rabbit behaviour and life styles in great detail. And to this rich understanding he adds a culture, a mythology, and a language all of which are based in how rabbits actually live and behave. You'll never look at a the random rabbit spotted at morning or evening silflay (Lapine for eating above ground, or grazing) the same way again.
The realism spreads to the characters of the rabbits themselves. Hazel, Fiver, Bigwig, Dandelion, Blackberry, Hawkbit, Pipkin, Speedwell, Buckthorn, Silver, Acorn, and the others encountered along the way are unforgettable. They are completely believable both as rabbits but also as individuals with their own strengths, weaknesses, fears, and hopes.
Between the adventures are the stories of El-ahrairah, Prince of Rabbits and the surprising and often amusing view rabbits have of humans - this book is one you'll treasure.
So, don't be put off on the rabbit on the front cover. Give this work of genius a chance.
Book Review: A Classis Adventure Story
Summary: 5 Stars
Richard Adam's Watership Down is an amazing story of epic proportions worthty of El-ahraiah himself. It deals with a tale of great bravery, courage, and loss of a group of friends struggling to survive and find their home. The story follows the journey of Hazels, Fiver, and their many companions. Even though the subjects of the book are animals (particularly rabbits) instead of people, this novel doesn't fall short in any grade, in fact, it surpasses all the marks.
The classic story begins with Fiver, one of the books main characters and a rabbit with what some would call psychic abilities, foresees a great danger heading to destroy his homeland. After warning all his neighbors and countrymen, only a few come with him on his journey to find a new warren, or home. Amongst those are Hazel, Bigwig and Blackberry. As the group journeys across the land, they encounter other rabbit countries and many elil, or enemies. They eventually find the fate of their old warren and go on many daring mission to help and protect their new home. Hazel and his friends even befriend a bird that helps them along the way.
Watership is nothing shot of a truly astonishing, heroic, awesome story that is l more than worth its weight. At nearly 500 pages, some may be turned away by its large size, but every page is more than worth reading. The imagery and detail that this book provides really makes you feel like you are there, alongside the rabbits in their everyday struggle for survival.
Read as the friends escape from crazy places where rabbits are much more like squirrels and dogs. Watch as they fight off cats and other elil in epic battles. Discover how they build up their new home, and if they can keep safe from enemy forces.
Watership Down is a true classic story that will be treasured for many generations to come and will become a huge part of English history. It is truly one of the best books ever written and one that we can all relate to. A statement about his book, by the St. Louis Post Dispatch, said that "Everyone who can read English should read it." This is very true, for it is a truly astonishing book. I can grantee you that Watership Down will not disappoint you.
Book Review: One Intrepid Group of Bunnies
Summary: 5 Stars
"Watership Down" by Richard Adams is that greatest of rarities, an adult fairy tale that works. It is about a group of young rabbits searching for a new home.
Hazel is convinced his brother Fivers visions of doom are true. Fiver was the smallest of heir litter but he is blessed with god sense and clairvoyance. They convince Bigwig, a member of their warrens Owsla (security patrol), of their concerns. They are brought to the chief rabbit who calmly dismisses their concerns and privately chews Bigwig out.
Hazel is not to be dismissed lightly. He is utterly convinced of Fivers prediction. Being intrepid and resourceful he has faith in his judgment. He recruits others (including Bigwig) to their cause and arranges an escape. Fiver has a vision of where they should go. It is for this haven, they leave all that they know.
This is a rabbit's world with rabbits view. Frith is their god. El-ahairah is the hero of their mythology. He is the Prince of a Thousand Enemies. The tales of his adventures give demonstrate to other rabbits the skills necessary for their survival. Dogs are idiots and cats are sadistic. Man is shown as being indifferent, sometimes cruel and always impersonal to the affairs of rabbitkind.
This is a classic journey story. Of course they encounter dangers and setbacks. As they use their courage, resourcefulness and luck, they grow in ways they never imagined. Even as they reach their destination and establish their new warren, they still must defend their home. Of all their enemies the greatest threat is from General Woundwort, a psychotic rabbit that runs his police-state warren with efficiency and a ruthlessness that would make Joe Stalin cringe.
Like El-ahairah, Hazel "must be cunning and full of tricks" or his people will be destroyed.
Of course they're not destroyed but the story is in the details not the ending. And it is a truly wonderful story.
Book Review: More Than a Children's Book
Summary: 5 Stars
Watership Down is a classic novel by Richard Adams. The story involves a warren of rabbits, such as rabbits named Hazel, Fiver, Bigwig, Blackberry and Dandelion. Hazel is the protagonist. The story opens as Hazel and his brother, Fiver are taking a walk. Suddenly Fiver bumps into a sign that indicates that someone will be building houses in their warren. Now, Fiver is a rabbit so he can't read but the sign gives him an ominous feeling. He tells Hazel and Hazel takes Fiver to the the Chief Rabbit to tell him about Fiver's foreboding. The Chief Rabbit does not believe them and kicks them out. Hazel and Fiver decide to leave the warren. The only reason Hazel is doing this is because he has complete trust and faith in his brother based on past experiences. Other rabbits such as Bigwig, Blackberry and Dandelion go on this journey and they reach a little field called Watership Down. They encounter many adventures on their way to Watership Down. When they finally arrive at Watership Down they face many challenges.
One might think that this is a children's book because on the surface it appears to be about cute, fuzzy bunnies. However, it is much more. It is a story about survival, fear, trust, and finding a new home. This is a great piece of art and literature. It is so exciting and interesting to hear what happens next that you will be on the edge of your seat. You will increase your vocabulary and your ability to understand complicated plots. I strongly believe this book should be a part of everyone's library. I recommend this book for ages 9 and up.
by William
Book Review: Watership Down Review
Summary: 5 Stars
Author: Richard Adams
Book: Watership Down
Publisher: Scribner; Reprint edition
This 476 page book was a long read but it was worth it with its twists, turns and immense detail. You'll never want to put it down, I know I didn't.
In Watership Down by Richard Adams a bunch of rabbits must make their way through the dangers in their life if they are to survive. They have to find a new home, one where they can live free, happily and with no humans. When they finally do make it to that place there are only male rabbits in there group so now they have to find they females that are held up in the Efrafa bunker like rabbit society without getting killed by both animal and human alike.
My most favorite parts are where Dandelion tells the stories about El-ahrairah rabbit. He was the chief rabbit to begin with in the very beginning of the story. He is their so called "Adam". They stories add a better twist to the book. I love all of the adventures he has. My most favorite story of his would have to be The King's Lettuce. It was a very crafty plan.
I thought that the theme of the story was finding your safe haven in life isn't always the easiest thing to do.
In the book Watership Down by Richard Adams the part that I liked best was the whole book. I wouldn't want Adams to change anything about the book. Maybe add a sequel to it is about it. I don't recommend this to people who don't like reading or animals. This book is a really long one and the main characters are rabbits.