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Loading... Watership Down (1972)by Richard Adams (Author)
I have been reading this book since the seventh grade. It has maps, a glossary and rabbits, what else do you need. Despite the fact that it is about rabbits, it is a surprisingly human story of struggle and survival. I have definitely not read it for the last time. I selected this book because we happen to have a group (warren?) of rabbits that have been digging holes under our house. This book was perfect for our family read book. It had a diverse group of characters and plenty of action and adventure to keep my son interested. Absolutely charming! A group of rabbits leave their warren (which they believe is doomed) and go through many trials before settling down in their own utopia. I had always been told that Watership Down was really traumatizing, but I'm not sure why. Most of it isn't exactly happy, but I've read much, much worse. It's really solidly well written. I especially liked the occasional switches in perspective to show the story from different points of view. Definitely recommended to anyone who hasn't read it yet.
It would seem that in Adam's ardor for wild creatures he has tried too hard to make a case for them instead of allowing them fully to be their own recommendation. I'm grateful for much of what he's done, but I'm not going to look at rabbits differently from now on. Watership Down offers little to build a literary cult upon. On the American-whimsy exchange, one Tolkien hobbit should still be worth a dozen talking rabbits. This bunny-rabbit novel not only steers mostly clear of the usual sticky, anthropomorphic pitfalls of your common garden-variety of bunny rabbit story: it is also quite marvelous for a while, and after it stops being marvelous, it settles down to be pretty good- a book you can live with from start to finish.
References to this work on external resources.
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The story follows a warren of Berkshire rabbits fleeing the destruction of their home by a land developer. As they search for a safe haven, skirting danger at every turn, we become acquainted with the band and its compelling culture and mythos. Adams has crafted a touching, involving world in the dirt and scrub of the English countryside, complete with its own folk history and language (the book comes with a "lapine" glossary, a guide to rabbitese). As much about freedom, ethics, and human nature as it is about a bunch of bunnies looking for a warm hidey-hole and some mates, Watership Down will continue to make the transition from classroom desk to bedside table for many generations to come. --Paul Hughes
(retrieved from Amazon Tue, 12 Oct 2010 04:09:55 -0400)
Chronicles the adventures of a group of rabbits searching for a safe place to establish a new warren where they can live in peace.
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Two editions of this book were published by Audible.com.
Penguin AustraliaTwo editions of this book were published by Penguin Australia.
Editions: 0241953235, 0141341939
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I thought this was such an endearing read and so wonderfully told. Whilst the characters are rabbits they are so well written and the anthropomorphism makes them so real that you almost forget that the story is not being told about a group of people which makes it that bit more powerful. I loved this book, if your looking for something different (a book told through the eyes of an animal) this is a must read. The trials and tribulations have you on tenterhooks and always hoping for the best. It really was a good read. (