Author: Richard Adams

Publisher: Scribner

Pub. in: November, 2005

ISBN: 0743277708

Pages: 496

Measurements: 8 x 5.2 x 1.1 inches

Origin of product: USA

Order code: BA01667

Other information: ISBN-13: 978-0743277709

Watership Down is an amazing book. That someone could write 429 pages (hardcover version) on a real-life epic about rabbits and make it work is simply incredible, beyond anything I could ever hope to accomplish. You laugh, maybe, that one would want to write any exciting book about rabbits at all, but frankly, you can't imagine it unless you've been there.

Watership Down is a story of the journey of a group of rabbits that flee their home warren after Fiver, the runt of his litter, has one of his premonitions of doom. It follows headstrong Bigwig, leader Hazel, storyteller Dandelion, and all the others, in their quest for a mystical hill over the next horizon, Watership Down. Spanning epic length, their passage across the countryside takes them to places darker than the rabbit mind can fathom. Throughout the story, the influence of man upon natural life often intrudes, for good or ill, or, more often, causing inscrutable confusion, like the machinations of a distant god. Even after adjusting to the hardships of life, the rabbits' subsequent search for does bring them to a sinister military rabbit community like no other, the mighty Efrafa. Granted that rabbits are usually stronger, faster, and smarter than other woodland creatures, these guys could kick Redwall to the moon.

But seriously, Watership is a powerful book, and, as you've probably read from the better reviews out there, the morals of the lapine societies parallel many ethics and political ideas in the real world. It's a book that can be read on many levels, with the confrontation of death, destruction of the environment, and cost of freedom. I personally think the two great strengths of the book come from the creation of a rabbit culture and the development of the characters. Richard Adams has crafted a world with its own language and customs. The stories of the legendary trickster El-Ahrairah are fit for any book of fables, next to characters like Anansi or Brer Rabbit. They provide a nice parallel to the plot. And like all great stories, our heroes are changed by the experience of the journey. Hazel develops into a true leader of his rabbits and Fiver becomes a trusted, well, psychic prophet. When Bigwig finally stands against the General, we're cheering for him all the way. These are rabbits we care about.

Obviously, this book is not for everyone. There will be those who refuse to read it simply because there are talking rabbits. But I would recommend this book to anyone and everyone with enough patience to read a thick book. If you have enough maturity to appreciate the Lord of the Rings for things other than orc-bashing, then by all means, read this! (From quoting Sean Lin, Taiwan)

Target readers: General readers