Book Reviews of Watership Down

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 that’s 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. it’s 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 I’ve 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. that’s 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

A Hare-o-ing tail of courage and survival on the Down. Written from a rabbits point of view its quite unique. I liked it.

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'!)

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.

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.

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!!

This book is one of the best I've ever read - 4 times. It is hard at first to pick up a book about rabbits. Rabbits? Well, I can assure you, this book is about so much more than just rabbits. It is a very well-crafted story of striking out into the unknown because staying would be worse, and carving your niche into the world with people (or rabbits) you can count on by your side. It is about society, politics, fear, love and control. It is about all of these things and more, and yes, it is also about rabbits. If there is only one book you pick up that you are unsure of, make it this one. I guarantee you will find it as amazing as I did!

This is one of my most favorite books. I think that everyone should read it. I have just never read about characters that I fell in love with like these ones and all the troubles they have I just couldn't put it down.

Great summertime reading material... Book was fun to read and the cast of characters were easily lovable!
Only issues I had was with the "rabbit" language that was used... every once in awhile I would have to refer to the glossary of terms which slowed up the reading

Overall.... I would recommend... Definitely a classic!

I've read this book more than any other book I've ever read. I first read it in 7th grade and then several times after that. It's simply a wonderful book that everyone should read.

I have read this book several times. I get something new out of it every time. I love it.

I absolutely adored this book, and have read it many times. If you believe, I first read this back in late elementary school, and it's been a permanent addition to my bookshelves ever since. This is one of those stories that anyone could read and enjoy.

This is by far my absolute favorite book of all time. I cannot wait to read it with my daughter when she's a bit older. It is a long book but it is worth your time. The characters, Hazel, Big Wig, and all the rest are amazingly "real". Do yourself a favor, read Watership Down.

I adore this book. It is, hands down, my favorite book of all time. It's hard not to fall in love with Fiver, Hazel and the rest of the crew. If you've never read it, take some time and do so. You won't be disappointed. It's all about the bunnies!

Such a wonderful story that follows the lives of a group of rabbits fleeing danger and trying to find a new home. I fell in love with the characters to the point of sheer upset when the book was complete! I reread this book every couple of years and am delighted every time.

Such a good story. A literary inspiration.

Richard Adams's bunny-centric epic rarely fails to win the love and respect of anyone who reads it, regardless of age. Like most great novels, Watership Down is a rich story that can be read (and reread) on many different levels and is a corking good adventure. A warren of rabbits fleeing the destruction of their home by a land developer, search for a safe haven, meeting danger at every turn. 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 new mates.

This was a marvelous novel. It is a tale of exile and survival. It tells of a group of adventurers who leave their city and go out in the midst of danger looking for a new home and a better future.

A classic of literature. The mystical world of rabbits and their leaders, their fortunes and misfortunes, as they search for peace and happiness for their new warren.

Classic bunny tale adventure. Sound silly? It's not. It's absolutely thrilling.

A great story from the viewqpoint of rabbits, with more than enough similarities to the so-called "civilized" world of humans to make it very interesting.

I was surprised, I really enjoyed this book. Richard Adams did a great job of adding suspense and really drawing you into the book. Once I started reading it, it was hard to put down.

This book was brought to my attention while reading Brian Jacques' Redwall series of books. I managed to suffer through the first 200 pages of this novel before I couldn't stand it anymore. The rabbots in this book are afraid of everything. I couldn't count the number of times the author would mention they would hear a noise and hide for a while. Not very good at all.

4

The book I am posting has a different cover than that posted above, but same content. It's a 1975 edition. I haven't read actual book so don't know if it's any good.

such a cute story!

This copy has a different cover

A 7th grade reading requirement.

A little violent, but unusual

If you've never read this--you should.

Wonderful story. I will always love this book about a world of rabbits.

Great book.

Interesting book.

Spellbinding a great book

a GREAT american classic

A group of adventurers, who leave their city in search of a new home and a better future.

i read this book in seventh grade. it was my favorite then, and is my favorite now. i LOVE this book (i am only listing a duplicate copy, still have the original)!

My all time favorite book!

One of my favorite books of all time.

Epic tale of a hardy band of adventurers forced to flee the destruction of their fragile community.

If there was a rating higher than 10, I would post it. I think (along with many others) that this is the greatest book ever written. The author gives wonderful description, narrative, and dialogue. Watership Down is the story of a group of rabbits who flee their doomed warren in search of safer meadows. The reader is pulled into the journey as they become oddly attatched to the rabbits of the story. I recommend anyone to read this book, or at least give it a fair try. And don't fool yourself into thinking it's about just a bunch of animals. It's so so much more than that!

Insite into the life that goes on in the warren where the rabbits live.

Not really intended to be an analogy, but it seems like one to me. I loved the story of the different personalities and cultures. They were rabbits, but they seems to have many of the same traits as we humans do.

Front and back cover torn, pages yellowed, but in readable condition.

I had remembered this as a childrens book, but in the rereading discovered there is more involved, courage, loyalty etc. Fun book for all ages.

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