honestly, I put off reading this for a long time. not outright, but I always had other books higher in the to-read pile. I did not know what the book was about, except that it had to do with rabbits, and perhaps a boat. there is a boat, of sorts I guess, but thats not where the Ship in the title comes from. for moon-calf Americans like myself, I will explain that Watership Down is a place name. its a hill.
so the book is about rabbits on a hill? well, yes, but no, of course not. honestly this is one of the best books Ive ever read, and I immediately went out and ordered it in hardcover as I know I will be rereading it at least once every two years for the rest of my life. thats how amazing it is. so, no, not just rabbits on a hill.
and the rabbits are not Disney rabbits, or Lewis Carrol rabbits, wearing waistcoats and top hats or helping a princess with the household chores. Adams, with fantastic storytelling, weaves you into the world of real rabbits in a delightful, astonishing, and sometimes quite harrowing way. oh, if you only know rabbits to be fluffy little poopsies, you can think again. and you might not feel so comfortable wearing bunny slippers after this, either!
this book is an adventure unlike anything I was expecting. I was laughing; I was on the edge of the bed with my eyes wide open; I was even crying, and it takes one hell of a story to make me cry. I was practically blissful at the end of the book, even though it was over.
yay, Watership Down :D
so the book is about rabbits on a hill? well, yes, but no, of course not. honestly this is one of the best books Ive ever read, and I immediately went out and ordered it in hardcover as I know I will be rereading it at least once every two years for the rest of my life. thats how amazing it is. so, no, not just rabbits on a hill.
and the rabbits are not Disney rabbits, or Lewis Carrol rabbits, wearing waistcoats and top hats or helping a princess with the household chores. Adams, with fantastic storytelling, weaves you into the world of real rabbits in a delightful, astonishing, and sometimes quite harrowing way. oh, if you only know rabbits to be fluffy little poopsies, you can think again. and you might not feel so comfortable wearing bunny slippers after this, either!
this book is an adventure unlike anything I was expecting. I was laughing; I was on the edge of the bed with my eyes wide open; I was even crying, and it takes one hell of a story to make me cry. I was practically blissful at the end of the book, even though it was over.
yay, Watership Down :D
I recently gave a copy of this to a friend who said to me, "Rabbits? For years I thought this was about a boat!" Guess she'd never seen the cover of the book. *g*
That said, this ranks right up there with Betty Smith's 'A Tree Grows in Brooklyn' as one of my all time favourite books. Who would have throught a book about RABBITS would be engaging?
It was a very emotional read - sorrow, anger, joy and every emotion in between was felt as I read this book. I have vague memories of the animated movie and lots of blood - so I had been scared to read this book even though I had wanted to do so for several years. I'm thrilled that I read it now and found it a wonderful read - a fantastic story of survival against all odds. (Yes, I might hunt down the movie just to see it 'in action'!)
That said, this ranks right up there with Betty Smith's 'A Tree Grows in Brooklyn' as one of my all time favourite books. Who would have throught a book about RABBITS would be engaging?
It was a very emotional read - sorrow, anger, joy and every emotion in between was felt as I read this book. I have vague memories of the animated movie and lots of blood - so I had been scared to read this book even though I had wanted to do so for several years. I'm thrilled that I read it now and found it a wonderful read - a fantastic story of survival against all odds. (Yes, I might hunt down the movie just to see it 'in action'!)
Helpful Score: 5
I was recommended this book by a customer at the library where I work. He said it was his favorite book of all time and at first I was a little skeptical but once I started reading I started to see why. The rabbits the story revolves around are great characters. They struggle to survive and to find a new place to call home. The story is interesting and you even get to hear the rabbit creation myth and other tales from the beginning of rabbit time. I thought the first half of the book was a little slow but once the rabbits get to Watership Down it speeds up and is hard to put down in places. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys classics or animal-centered stories.
Helpful Score: 5
The timeless classic novel of exile, courage and survival. A wonderful story told through the eyes and lives of a band of rabbits...forced to flee the destruction of their fragile community...and their trials and triumphs in the face of extraordinary adversity as they pursue a glorious dream called "home." If you've thought that a story about rabbits couldn't be compelling, you are in for a wonderful experience. You feel their excitment, their fear, their pain and finally their joy at finally finding a place to call home. A truly beautifully told story. And one that humans could certainly learn from!!
Helpful Score: 5
A fantastic adventure story about a band of rouge rabbits who strike out on their own for a courageous journey that proves their courage and friendship are the epitome of strength. Overcoming extreme obstacles to triumph in the very face of evil, these rabbits will have readers hooked from the first chapter. This book is the definition of a timeless classic and one I've read at least once a year every year for the last 19 years after my grandmother gave me my first copy when I was only 11. I've literally read the cover off of at least 6 copies of it since then.
