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3.7 AVERAGE
3.7 AVERAGE
A decent collection of short stories in the world of Watership Down, the latter part being a follow up to the events of the original book that introduces fun new ideas into the mix like female rabbits taking charge! I love that Richard Adams was careful to correct the sexist tones of the rabbits in his original novel. But all in all most of the book seems rather pointless apart from the aforementioned latter half and it seemed like that was the part Adams really wanted to write.
3.5/5 stars
3.5/5 stars
I enjoyed most of the stories in this sequel, but 2 or 3 of them in the beginning/middle felt a little repetitive so I skipped past those. I liked the 3rd section of the book the most, where it took me back to the stories of Hazel, Fiver, Bigwig, Hyzenthlay, and all the others. My favorite part was Hyzenthlay as a Chief Rabbit alongside Hazel.
This was an enjoyable collection of short stories about the rabbits of Watership Down. We get to read about what they were up to before the end of the first book which caused me no end of tears. I honestly have to say that reading about El-ahrairah in the first story was fine, but after that I found myself getting bored. The book didn't pick up for me until we were following Hazel, Fiver, and the others who were setting into Watership Down.
I do think it was good to see how the rabbits were tested due to a cruel winter, a female rabbit who used to be the Oswla who disagrees with Hazel and others, and a former rabbit who still feels some sway to General Woundwort.
I still have to hard pause when reading this book sometimes to figure out what the rabbits mean when referring to certain things. This book came with a dictionary in the back though which was helpful.
The setting of Watership Down still feels magical to me in this one. We have the rabbits being led by Hazel-rah and how the warren seems to work due to all of them working together at all times. The stories mentioned above though do test the rabbits at times. I really wish that Adams had included a story of Watership Down after the death of Hazel though.
The ending was a little flat to me. I just felt like the stories as a whole didn't flow very well from one to the other. I was expecting something better or a bigger picture to the plot.
I do think it was good to see how the rabbits were tested due to a cruel winter, a female rabbit who used to be the Oswla who disagrees with Hazel and others, and a former rabbit who still feels some sway to General Woundwort.
I still have to hard pause when reading this book sometimes to figure out what the rabbits mean when referring to certain things. This book came with a dictionary in the back though which was helpful.
The setting of Watership Down still feels magical to me in this one. We have the rabbits being led by Hazel-rah and how the warren seems to work due to all of them working together at all times. The stories mentioned above though do test the rabbits at times. I really wish that Adams had included a story of Watership Down after the death of Hazel though.
The ending was a little flat to me. I just felt like the stories as a whole didn't flow very well from one to the other. I was expecting something better or a bigger picture to the plot.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
If you loved the novel, this revisit to the Downs will be a mostly gentle and kindly return!
A lengthy collection of fables and tales from the bunny mythology of Lord Frith, El-ahrairah, and others as well as a closing section which offers several chapters of adventures following the events of the book, each is brief enough that it would make for a wonderful bedtime story (though read ahead--some are a bit frightening). None individually nor the book as a whole is any match for the novel, of course, nor can this book stand alone. Adams offers no explanations or other assistance to readers who are expected to have read the original work.
Instead, think of this at best as a nostalgic read of coming once again to the glades and re-discovering the characters with some new stories which open up other ways of understanding the myths and the apparent psychic ways of Fiver and others. Asking any more of it is against its welcoming spirit of tale-telling for the sake of story.
A lengthy collection of fables and tales from the bunny mythology of Lord Frith, El-ahrairah, and others as well as a closing section which offers several chapters of adventures following the events of the book, each is brief enough that it would make for a wonderful bedtime story (though read ahead--some are a bit frightening). None individually nor the book as a whole is any match for the novel, of course, nor can this book stand alone. Adams offers no explanations or other assistance to readers who are expected to have read the original work.
Instead, think of this at best as a nostalgic read of coming once again to the glades and re-discovering the characters with some new stories which open up other ways of understanding the myths and the apparent psychic ways of Fiver and others. Asking any more of it is against its welcoming spirit of tale-telling for the sake of story.
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Real good! It’s a bit formulaic, but it felt comforting and I’m glad Adams opted for this instead of a traditional sequel.
A collection of short stories -some being small clusters of chapters too short to be called a novella, that might have been attempts at sequels. These still have the special character of the original.
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Not a bad book, Watership Down was a childhood favorite so I was excited to read this
Some stories are better than others of course and I much enjoyed the last part of the books stories the best I think
Some stories are better than others of course and I much enjoyed the last part of the books stories the best I think
A good collection of stories. I enjoyed reading tales of El-Ahraihrah, as he is sort of the patron saint of the rabbits--their greatest hero, at least. The final story in the book is also a beautiful way to end the Watershed Down tales, it taught me a very important lesson at a very young age. I wonder if Richard Adams took inspiration from Tolkien at all.
adventurous
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Short enough that I don’t regret picking it up but not really necessary to get full enjoyment from Watership Down. If you’re curious you may enjoy it.
adventurous
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Pandemic/Epidemic