Product Description

Fiver could sense danger. Something terrible was going to happen to the warren – he felt sure of it. So did his brother Hazel, for Fiver’s sixth sense was never wrong. They had to leave immediately, and they had to persuade the other rabbits to join them. And so begins a long and perilous journey of a small band of rabbits in search of a safe home. Fiver’s vision finally leads them to Watership Down, but here they face their most difficult challenge of all… Published in 1972 Watership Down is an epic journey, a stirring tale of adventure, courage and survival against the odds.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #7835 in Books
• Published on: 2000-08-31
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 480 pages

Amazon.co.uk Review
Despite the fact that it's often a hard sell at first (what teenager wouldn't cringe at the thought of 400-plus pages of talking rabbits?), Richard Adams' 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. The book is often praised as an allegory, with its analogues between human and rabbit culture (a fact sometimes used to goad skeptical teens, who resent the challenge that they won't "get" it, into reading it), but it's equally praiseworthy as just a corking good adventure.

The story follows a warren of Berkshire rabbits fleeing the destruction of their home by a land developer. As they search for a safe haven, skirting danger at every turn, we become acquainted with the band and its compelling culture and mythos. 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 mates, Watership Down will continue to make the transition from classroom desk to bedside table for many generations to come. --Paul Hughes

Review
This best-selling novel tells the story of a band of rabbits who leave their warren because one of their number, the telepathic Hazel, senses danger - and journey hazardously across the Berkshire downs in search of safety. The most astonishing thing about it is that, despite its length and complexity, people of all ages become absorbed and obsessed. (9 yrs +) (Kirkus UK)

The fantasy genre involving animals or imaginary beings whose adventures parallel, intersect or explore the human dilemma is dominated by its giants - Grahame, Orwell, Tolkien, C. S. Lewis - whether routed to a juvenile or adult readership. This British tale (with impressive reviews over there) about a pioneer group of wild rabbits is a modest if sustained entry; Adams never catches up with his betters in either character or tone. His rabbits reenact the rousing Exodus story/myth as the prophet Fiver senses disaster about to strike the home warren. (A signpost in human language announces a "development" of the field - the remaining rabbits will be subsequently gassed.) Led by Hazel, more of a William Bradford than a Moses, the group eventually reaches the promised land, Watership Down. But only after racking hardships, narrow escapes and a bizarre sojourn at a sinister warren of welcoming fat rabbits who withhold their dreadful secret of inevitable execution. The major battles, however, are fought against the dictator rabbit General Woundwort and his secret police. Right and democracy finally triumph through supreme strategy and mighty sacrifice - by the few to whom the many will owe so much. Adams' rabbits are fairly simple beings - no lolling over picnic baskets or complex political maneuvers - but there are appealing and even moving touches: inventive rabbit/folk stories of that arch-imp, the demi-god El-ahrairah (herein the mystic moments), poetry with echoes from Grahame, a gull with a French-Canadian accent, a mouse chittering in organ-grinder Italian, and anagram titles from rabbit law and tradition. Adams does manage to nudge the reader down the rabbit hole to accept his serious purpose - but one finds the company nobly dull and the New Jerusalem not half so attractive as the flying fur of deadly combat. Very special, but who knows - it might just hippity hop off to Jonathan Livingston's marsh land. It's been that kind of year. (Heavy promotion.) (Kirkus Reviews)

About the Author
Richard Adams grew up in Berkshire, the son of a country doctor. After an education at Oxford, he spent six years in the army and then went into the Civil Service. He originally began telling the story of Watership Down to his two daughters and they insisted he publish it as a book. It quickly became a huge success with both children and adults, and won the Guardian Children’s Fiction Award and the Carnegie Medal in 1972. Richard Adams has written many novels and short stories, including Shardik and The Plague Dogs. He now lives in Hampshire with his wife and enjoys a wide variety of hobbies including walking in the countryside and English literature.