Scan barcode
readerette's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
It's a bit predictable after the first twist, but I don't think the twists and action are really the point.
My major complaint besides the length is the depiction of female characters, given that this book was written in the 1970s (not 1870s) by a man with daughters. There aren't many females in the book, the rabbit ones have very few thoughts or contributions of any kind besides fear and kittens, and they come across as dispensable considering their death rate relative to the main male rabbit characters. One could argue that this is all simply because of the "natural" way of rabbits, but the male rabbit characters behave in lots of unnatural ways despite the author's research into rabbits, which I'm sure was a deliberate choice. So why didn't he choose to create stronger, more present female characters?
Given the violence, the emotional toll, and the struggles the rabbits undergo, I would suggest this for children 12+ at minimum (more middle grade than children's), but it's a great read as an adult as well.
I listened to the audiobook read by Peter Capaldi, who did wonders with all the different character voices. I listened at 1.75x instead of my usual 2x because otherwise I couldn't catch all the rabbit-language words underneath the accents.
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Sexism
gabriella_'s review against another edition
- 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
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
coffeebean216's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Violence, Blood, Torture, Animal death, and Death
Minor: Sexism
macliffe's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Violence, Gore, and Animal death
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Excrement, and Infertility
Minor: Pregnancy, Sexism, Miscarriage, Cursing, Vomit, Car accident, Murder, and Torture
darkefyres's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Graphic: Animal death, Blood, Death, and Violence
Moderate: Sexism, Confinement, and Murder
Minor: Child death and Miscarriage
lynxpardinus's review against another edition
3.75
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, and Violence
Moderate: Bullying and Sexism
forestfox's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Abandonment, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Blood, and Death
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Misogyny, Sexism, and Pregnancy