From the Bookshelf of Crazy Challenge Connection…

Watership Down (Watership Down, #1)

Richard Adams

Start date: January 1, 2012

Finish date: January 31, 2012

Why we're reading this: This book was selected from the CIGURL list for January 2012.
[close] This book was selected from the CIGURL list for January 2012.

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Apr 26, 2024 Olivermagnus rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: children, nostalgia, classics, animals, 2024, zapr-24

One of my reading goals in 2024 is to reread some of the books I enjoyed when I was younger. I had this planned for the Journey tag since the beginning of the year. How could I not reread one of my very favorites? Richard Adams' classic novel "Watership Down" isn't just about rabbits. He weaves an adult tale of human struggle disguised as a book about bunnies, told directly from the rabbit's point of view. It is a saga of courage, leadership and survival. It's also an epic adventure story about One of my reading goals in 2024 is to reread some of the books I enjoyed when I was younger. I had this planned for the Journey tag since the beginning of the year. How could I not reread one of my very favorites? Richard Adams' classic novel "Watership Down" isn't just about rabbits. He weaves an adult tale of human struggle disguised as a book about bunnies, told directly from the rabbit's point of view. It is a saga of courage, leadership and survival. It's also an epic adventure story about a courageous group of rabbits forced to flee the destruction of their community.

The adventure starts with a psychic rabbit, Hazel, and his best friend, warning the other rabbits of the approaching danger. From there the group of rabbits face many dangers, including foxes, men, other rabbits, roads, birds of prey and railway lines, before finding their new home called Watership Down. A significant aspect of the novel's depth exists because the author was very thorough when he created the world of these rabbits. He established a history for the warren, a language unique to the rabbits, and a number of mythological stories shared in the rabbit culture. The hero of these stories, El-ahrairah, is an interesting piece of the story. The rabbits have a deep connection to these stories, and they listen with their whole hearts. The legendary stories provide them with courage, humility, and loyalty when they need it most.

Richard Adams writes in his introduction: "I want to emphasize that Watership Down was never intended to be some sort of allegory or parable. It is simply the story about rabbits made up and told in the car." Yet whether he meant to do it or not, the story contains powerful symbolism that has fascinating connections to various philosophies, theologies, and components of pop culture.

"Watership Down" is a remarkable tale of exile and survival, of heroism and leadership and is an epic novel of a group of adventurers who desert their doomed city, and venture forth against all odds on a quest for a better future. I think the underlying message of "Watership Down" is that it's a story that completely captivates us. We are inspired by the rabbits and we can get attached to their story. "Watership Down" is emotionally moving and I'm glad I finally had the opportunity to reread this amazing classic story. ...more

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Jan 07, 2019 Jan rated it really liked it

Shelves: ya-middle-grade, classics, audio-completed, cal-own-read, zz-finished-in-2019, around-the-world-uk-plus

I started this on audio and 4 hours into it I was still not fully engaged. I almost dropped it as a DNF but was encouraged to try it in print. I am so glad that I did! It was delightful, interesting and I was completely engaged with the challenges of these rabbits as they tried building a new life for themselves. A solid 4 star read for me.

5 likes · Like · see review

Dec 09, 2020 Carissa Brown rated it liked it

Shelves: series-i-will-not-finish, young-adult, animals

These rabbits are just trying to live their life and make bunnies. The humans, the cats, and other rabbits are not letting them live!

Richard Adams told this story to his children while taking them to school, and putting them to bed. It doesn't seem like a story I would make up for kids. The difference could be that I am female, but there is a lot of violence, and discussions making bunnies. I wonder how old they were. ...more

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