Scan barcode
deathmetalheron's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
informative
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
This is classic I've wanted to read for a while, as I love rabbits and I found the concept of them very fun. The worldbuilding, between the warren dynamics, the Lapine language, and descriptions of the human world from rabbit point of view are all phenomenal. There are a lot of characters here but and many of the aspects would contrast against common assumptions about "good" writing, but I do appreciate the asides where Adams takes the time to explain the distinction as to why rabbits approach things the way they do. The rabbits may be talking and they may have a lot of human tendencies but there is a careful tendency to not completely anthropomorphize them.
I was definitely led to believe this was much grittier than it is, I wouldn't say it's lighthearted but it's not a downer ending by any means. I do find it interesting that is often characterized as "children's" literature because the writing is shockingly dense. There's quite a bit to process and it feels like the kind of book a parent should read with children. It definitely feels like a hallmark of an older era of children's books.
My own personal complaint with the books is the El-ahrairah stories--there are four of them, one in each arc, they are all quite long, and I don't feel like they add much to the narrative bar the one with the Black Rabbit. I do feel a cutaway would've been fair at this point.
I was definitely led to believe this was much grittier than it is, I wouldn't say it's lighthearted but it's not a downer ending by any means. I do find it interesting that is often characterized as "children's" literature because the writing is shockingly dense. There's quite a bit to process and it feels like the kind of book a parent should read with children. It definitely feels like a hallmark of an older era of children's books.
My own personal complaint with the books is the El-ahrairah stories--there are four of them, one in each arc, they are all quite long, and I don't feel like they add much to the narrative bar the one with the Black Rabbit. I do feel a cutaway would've been fair at this point.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Animal death and Animal cruelty
Minor: Confinement and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
arlorees's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Just a perfectly sweet story. Makes you feel like a kid being told a bedtims story by a grandparent.
I listened to Peter Capaldi narate it, he was fantastic.
I listened to Peter Capaldi narate it, he was fantastic.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Death, Violence, Animal death, Blood, Murder, Police brutality, and Physical abuse
Minor: Bullying and Confinement
apersonfromflorida's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Violence, and Animal cruelty
Moderate: Blood
naes's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Having not seen any of the adaptions for Watership Down I went into this novel totally blind. I knew rabbits were involved but that was the extent of my knowledge.
Watership Down follows the adventures of a band of rabbits trying to escape an unknown threat to their burrow and make their own. There are trials and hardship along with epic wins and beautiful moments. Somehow this story about an unlikely ragtag group made me care so much about and see rabbits in a totally new light.
The only issues I had with the book were the pacing in some parts was agonizingly slow and there were some incredibly long and detailed descriptions when all I wanted to know was how the bunnies were doing! After finishing I do appreciate the details a bit more especially after someone likened it to an epic poem which you need to work for the pay off.
Overall I really liked the story and plan on listening to the audiobook in the next month or two.
Watership Down follows the adventures of a band of rabbits trying to escape an unknown threat to their burrow and make their own. There are trials and hardship along with epic wins and beautiful moments. Somehow this story about an unlikely ragtag group made me care so much about and see rabbits in a totally new light.
The only issues I had with the book were the pacing in some parts was agonizingly slow and there were some incredibly long and detailed descriptions when all I wanted to know was how the bunnies were doing! After finishing I do appreciate the details a bit more especially after someone likened it to an epic poem which you need to work for the pay off.
Overall I really liked the story and plan on listening to the audiobook in the next month or two.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Violence, Classism, and Animal cruelty
woolen_pigeon's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death and Animal cruelty
Minor: Kidnapping and Blood
jaimc's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Animal cruelty, and Blood
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail
sommarborne's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Blood, Death, and Animal death
gabriella_'s review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
This made me feel like a little kid again which I know isn’t an easy feat. I was squirming reading this feeling so tense and anxious for battle rabbits in a society some parts even felt apocalyptic. An absolute page-turner this was awesome
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Death, Genocide, Kidnapping, Physical abuse, Miscarriage, Murder, Animal death, Body horror, Bullying, Injury/Injury detail, Sexism, Violence, Gore, Confinement, Stalking, Grief, Pregnancy, War, Abandonment, Forced institutionalization, Emotional abuse, Blood, Torture, Panic attacks/disorders, and Xenophobia
bxnnny's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
these rabbits had me in an absolute chokehold - i was so worried about them and i was devastated whenever they were in danger or hurt. i enjoyed the idea of them having their own little language and of all animals having a common language that they can use to communicate to one another, and of the rabbits having their own mythos and the way they shared their stories and took care of one another. i felt really really connected to them and their journey. it felt very reminiscent of a tolkien story. these poor little rabbits just wanted to go back to the shire!!! i was warned i might not enjoy this book as rabbits hold a very special place in my heart and reading about the awful things that happen to them and all the danger they face in this book might be too much for me, and though i did cry a few times and was so on edge throughout most of my read, i'm very glad i read it. it, too, will now and always hold a special place in my heart.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death and Animal cruelty
minoestrashrat's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I've always been interested in this book, telling myself I'd read it later, but I finally caved after I watched the BBC adaptation, followed by the old movie.
This book is truly something special, and while the depiction of the does is sometimes somewhat questionable, the worldbuilding and characters still hold up after so many years.
Bigwig and Fiver will forever stay in my heart, I can't wait to buy the graphic novel when I get the chance.
This book is truly something special, and while the depiction of the does is sometimes somewhat questionable, the worldbuilding and characters still hold up after so many years.
Bigwig and Fiver will forever stay in my heart, I can't wait to buy the graphic novel when I get the chance.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Murder, Violence, Animal death, and Gore
Minor: Alcoholism