Watership Down

matthewmincher reviewed Watership down by Richard Adams

Rightfully classic childrens book

5 stars

I somehow avoided both reading this or seeing any of the adaptations. I had high expectations given other reviews and recommendations but was not left disappointed.

Adams weaves a complex tale (which he insists isn't allegory, in the same way Tolkien somehow did...) and I enjoyed following from the perspective of the rabbits. I was surprised how much I loved the breaks in the narrative to cover lapine myths and legends.

While there isn't a candied chestnut or badger lord to be found, there was a similar magic to that I always appreciated in the Redwall books, but infinitely deeper and rawer.

The personalities of some of the rabbits are explained by the author to be inspired by his experiences of the second world war, and I think that definitely shines through.

Not much here for girls unfortunately, but it is a product of its time. Audiobook was narrated by …

I somehow avoided both reading this or seeing any of the adaptations. I had high expectations given other reviews and recommendations but was not left disappointed.

Adams weaves a complex tale (which he insists isn't allegory, in the same way Tolkien somehow did...) and I enjoyed following from the perspective of the rabbits. I was surprised how much I loved the breaks in the narrative to cover lapine myths and legends.

While there isn't a candied chestnut or badger lord to be found, there was a similar magic to that I always appreciated in the Redwall books, but infinitely deeper and rawer.

The personalities of some of the rabbits are explained by the author to be inspired by his experiences of the second world war, and I think that definitely shines through.

Not much here for girls unfortunately, but it is a product of its time. Audiobook was narrated by Peter Capaldi, who did an excellent job.

Jack 💜 reviewed Watership down by Richard Adams

One of the annual rereads

5 stars

I’ve read this banger of a novel once a year for many years now - it always holds up.

Kuchenmampfer reviewed Unten am Fluss by Richard Adams

Eins der besten Bücher

5 stars

Eine Gruppe Kaninchen macht sich auf, eine neue Heimat zu finden, nachdem ihr Bau durch Menschliche Bebauung zerstört wurde. Die Kaninchen sind ausreichend vermenschlicht und intelligent, um tiefe eigene Persönlichkeiten zu entwickeln. Gleichzeitig betrachten sie aber weiterhin mit Kaninchenaugen die Welt. Sie haben ihre eigene Sprache und wunderschöne Mythologie, was sie noch lebendiger macht. Das Buch ist voller herrlich ausschweifender Landschaftsbeschreibungen. Und wie die Kaninchen sich in ihrer Freundschaft stets gegenseitig helfend die wildesten Abenteuer bestehen ist entzückend. Trotz dem niedlichen Setting ist die Geschichte durchaus ernst und der Spannungsbogen war für mich als Kind eine Herausforderung. Das Buch hat definitiv seinen Hype verdient und ich werde es immer wieder weiterempfehlen und selbst lesen.

StoryDragon reviewed Watership Down by Richard Adams

Nice rabbit story

4 stars

This was a fun and nice book to read. It is cool to see a lot of human things described from 'rabbit perspective' with only some of them knowing what to do with something. I loved the parts where one of the rabbits came up with something smart, without a way to make the other rabbits understand how it worked. Like the boat.

StoryDragon reviewed Watership Down by Richard Adams

Review of 'Watership Down' on 'Storygraph'

4 stars

This was a fun and nice book to read.
It is cool to see a lot of human things described from 'rabbit perspective' with only some of them knowing what to do with something.
I loved the parts where one of the rabbits came up with something smart, without a way to make the other rabbits understand how it worked. Like the boat.

Hyzie reviewed Watership down by Richard Adams

Review of 'Watership down' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

This is my favorite book in the entire world.

I don't think bookworms are supposed to be able to choose (whenever someone asks me they are genuinely shocked that I can pick a favorite), but this is mine. I love it. I have re-read it so many times I've lost count. I've owned countless copies. Having it read to me was a new experience, but the story is one I've experienced countless times.

I'm not sure what else to say about something that has always touched me so deeply. Hazel and Fiver and Bigwig will always be characters that live in the back of my head, touchstones I compare other characters to as I continue my reading journey through life.

The only thing I can really say is this: the first time I finished this book, I flipped it over and started it again. When the audio finished today, more …

This is my favorite book in the entire world.

I don't think bookworms are supposed to be able to choose (whenever someone asks me they are genuinely shocked that I can pick a favorite), but this is mine. I love it. I have re-read it so many times I've lost count. I've owned countless copies. Having it read to me was a new experience, but the story is one I've experienced countless times.

I'm not sure what else to say about something that has always touched me so deeply. Hazel and Fiver and Bigwig will always be characters that live in the back of my head, touchstones I compare other characters to as I continue my reading journey through life.

The only thing I can really say is this: the first time I finished this book, I flipped it over and started it again. When the audio finished today, more than 20 years after the first time I read it, I considered doing the same.

meeg reviewed Watership Down by Richard Adams (Perennial classics)

Review of 'Watership Down' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

All the world will be your enemy, Prince of a Thousand enemies. And when they catch you, they will kill you. But first they must catch you; digger, listener, runner, Prince with the swift warning. Be cunning, and full of tricks, and your people will never be destroyed.

I grew up reading the Redwall series, which will always stay close to my heart. While I haven't read the Lord of the Rings series, I adore the movies and have seen them more times than I can even count. Both of these series laid the groundwork for my love of adventure, and storytelling, and story-making with my best friends through years of playing Dungeons & Dragons.This story is so captivating and beautifully written, and while I'll always be surprised I read this book at 25 and not 15, I'm so happy I finished it!

brucy reviewed Watership down by Richard Adams

Review of 'Watership down' on 'Goodreads'

2 stars

Perfect for an afternoon when you need to be sedated for surgery, or generally want to be bored out of your skull. Took me forever to read, just because I didn't want to anymore.

Scott reviewed Watership Down by Richard Adams (Perennial classics)

Review of 'Watership Down' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

I will never look at rabbits in the same way ever again.

markm reviewed Watership Down by Richard Adams

Review of 'Watership Down' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

My aunt Jackie, may she rest in peace, said that she wouldn't read this book because she didn't like 'whimsy'. This is not a children's book, or at least not just one. The author acquires great power and flexibility by the use of talking animals. A fat, boring or clever human character is just that (except, perhaps in Dickens), but a fat, boring or clever rabbit benefits from our common understanding of rabbitness - both our accumulated feelings starting back with Peter and the fantastic world that must be created for them to live in.