Watership Down

Rating:
Summary: I was writing better when I was five.
Review: Why is everyone so obsessed with this book? Let's see, it's nearly five hundred pages and covers the quest of - I lost count- some rabbits hoping to establish a new warren. Okay, sounds bearable, right? It takes 120 pages just to get to that point. They go through all these trials and tribulations while setting up and getting situated, on and on and on. By the time I reached the end, (it took some serious self-motivation,) I felt confused. After all the hype, all the wonderful things everyone says, this book is a sham. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone unless they had read every other book in the world and were desperate for reading material. (like me) This is the most dissappointing book I think I've ever read.

Rating:
Summary: A Modern Masterpiece
Review: When people ask me to describe "Watership Down" I inevitably say that it is a book about rabbits. More than that I cannot say without waxing long (which I can do in a review).

Watership Down is a wonderful story on so many levels. There is an exodus and harsh journey, the dream of a good home and good life, the philosophical question of safety and long life vs. an exciting life and so many other things. The rabbits in this story are alien enough to be rabbits but the reader can still associate with them. We care about Fiver, Bigwig and Hazel as they go through their lives, which are so different than ours but still make sense. Their quest is for the same things that humans want - happiness.

This novel is fantastic because it takes us to a different view of our world. It paints a portrait of animals weaving tales (the legends of El-Hariarah are one of the best parts of the novel). The dialogue and description are both fast paced, as is the action. Overall this is one of the most enjoyable books I have ever read and will remain Richard Adams masterwork!

As an end note, I cannot recommend any of Richard Adams other novels. Shardik was decent but the rest IMHO were endeavouring too much to make a point, haranguing on his own political crusade.

Rating:
Summary: A thought-provoking, and thoroughly enjoyable book
Review: I have been reading the reviews on Amazon.com for this book, and decided that I should put my 2 cents in. The first thing that is so utterly captivating about this novel, is that although the main characters are rabbits, they become much more than that as you get into the story. Some people have claimed that this novel is full of weak characters and nothing put descriptions of the texture of plants. However, is a rabbit that strategically plans a complicated battle against a heavily secured rabbit society considered weak? I can't imagine someone claiming that the characters in this book are not full of depth and character. The wonderful thing about Richard Adams is that he creates an entire world for you, but it is more than that, he makes it believable. The rabbits in this book have complicated societies. Each rabbit warren has a different political system. The rabbits also have muths, legends, and heroes. People have also complained that Mr. Adams should have done this book with humans, but that would have wreaked it. Rabbits are a fresh realm, if Mr. Adams used the human realm we would have far too many preconceived ideas about the way that things should be. However, when you look at the world of the rabbits, you can incorporate many of the aspects of our world and view them from a totally different perspective. It is my personal opinion that anybody who says they "hate" this book is simply someone who doesn't appreciate fine, intricately designed literature. I hope that one day, these people will realize that there is more to literature than non-stop action with no details. Literature is a web of plots and sub-plots mixed with an array of character build up that makes a novel that can't be put down.

In short, I HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone who loves or likes to read. With that final note, I bid you farewell.

Rating:
Summary: I don't think Bugs Bunny would be this innovative...
Review: This novel is not only a fable, but it's an entertaining and unususal read as well. It took me a bit to get used to the fact that rabbits aren't being personified as people but are actually treated as rabbits. Although I was able to enjoy the book more as I got to know the characters.

The interweaving of history and mystics with an exciting story made the last 200 pages go quickly. The fact that these are rabbits gives leeway to make a story that would not be a typical tale of human struggle, but also goes to show the differences in the way people have progressed and nature has remained true to its own way of being.

Another remarkable thing is that even though there are hardships in the story, it left me feeling uplifted at the end. It just seems so rare in contemporary literature to be left with such a clean feeling. I appreciate that.

The details which may seem tedious at points are also startling. Things which may be taken for granted are highlighted and used well. For example, the height of a rabbit as opposed to that of a person comes into play. When the group comes upon a new area they can't simply take a few steps and look around and decide it's okay. There are pages of exploration over just a few hundred feet.

I think this would be a good first book for any adolescent to read. It tends to leave a good mark on the brain.

Rating:
Summary: Watership Down Review
Review: At first, when I started reading Warership Down by Richard Adams, I thoght it would be about rabbits eating grass and talking. I was wrong! Watership Down is an exciting book that will have you wanting to read more. Each charecter has it's own personality and you feel like you really know each rabbit. It can be read on many levels as a reader and it doesn't matter if your a kid or adult, you'll like Watership Down.

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Summary: Watership Down is the best book I have ever read in my life!
Review: I'm in seventh grade, and I have read tons of books in my life, but this has to be the best. Throughout the entire book, the band of 11 hlessil(homeless rabbits)venture away from their home warren due to a fearful premonition by the small rabbit Hrair-roo(Fiver). Along the way, they run into friends and enemies, surprise and danger, in their search for a new home.

Whether the rabbits are meeting new creatures or listening to stories of the great El-ahrairah, experiencing the likes of the outrageous seagull Kehaar or battling head on with the forces of Efrafa, you will find something excellent. As their new leader Hazel-rah makes decisions with cunning where a human would break down and weep, they press on, searching for the ultimate life. And as they do so, Hazel-rah finds the greatest honor for any rabbit in any time.

Rating:
Summary: A Credit to the Literary Arts
Review: I'd like to start this review by confessing the embarrassing fact that - for most of my life - I thought this book was about a sinking ship. That's right, get it all out of your system so I can start with the meat. Now, at least there should be no dispersions cast against my honesty.

I began this book in a doctor's office and ended it in my easy chair. I read it everywhere in between. That's what a good book does to you. It takes you by the throat and demands to be read. It whispers in your ear from your nightstand and soon you've lost another hour, then two of sleep. It's like a chemically addictive habit that you don't want to quit. Except there's no guilt. Nothing but clean pleasure.

For those who don't know and would like to be saved the feeling of appearing stupid, this book is about a rabbit pilgrimage from a safe warren, aristocratically ruled, to a new warren, free and self ruled for the most part. To call it allegorical is nothing new or brilliant. To enjoy the story for its sleek elements and vigorous imaginative style is necessary. This is a book of the purest raw creativity I've read in years. Yet, I feel I learned a little about the ways of the rabbit in the process. We have a few of the little fellars in out backyard from time to time, a nest of cottontails under out workshop. I look at them differently now. Crazy as it sounds, I look at them with respect.

This is an epic Tokienian tale that surprises and warms. You feel everything the rabbits go through and you find yourself rooting for them at every foul turn. They are the underdogs and you cannot help but feel a kinship with them. Not only because they are loveable and persevering, but because, by and large, they are right in their ideals and pursuits. They are led from intelligence rather than might or popularity or class. They are the quintessential idealistic Americans of colonial times. You can almost hear Patrick Henry screaming his decisive aphorism from the pages.

Adams weaves a delightful, yet decidedly adult story and in the end you learn as much about humans as you do about rabbits. Perhaps more. There is a short glossary of Lapine terms that Adams refers to often. While this went a long way to irritate me at first, it's worth it. A single line in the last few pages more than justifies its existence. You'll have to trust me on this.

If you haven't given yourself a present lately, buy this book.

Rating:
Summary: One of the great tales by Richard Adams
Review: I liked this book because of the way the Richard Adams brought the story in the beginning.I didn't like the part when the Richard Adams chose words that didn't make sense,but over all I give this 5stars.The story begins when the rabbits see the sign, but can't read it.They leave the place, but hardships soon pass like other rabbits,dogs, and any that are enemys to rabbits.I like this also of good word choice, good meaning, and a overall good story.I feel this is top quality for all readers.

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Summary: Enchantment, enlightment, and more
Review: This book beckons to me back to the England of Fiver and Hazel again and again. The magical story and lyrical prose get stronger with each reading. What an amazing trip with beloved characters. I know these little creatures, as if they were human friends. Delight yourself and indulge in Watership Down.

Rating:
Summary: Rabbits
Review: I wouldnt suggest getting this book unless you like rabbits that talk it is the most boring book i ever read