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Reviews tagging 'Animal cruelty'
Unten am Fluss - »Watership Down«: Roman | Ein ergreifendes Spiegelbild der Gesellschaft und die fesselnde Geschichte eines langen Weges in die Freiheit by Richard Adams
37 reviews
adventurous
dark
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Watership Down follows a band of rabbits who abandon their warren at the prompting of a seer-rabbit who foresees disaster, just in time for their warren to be destroyed by human development. The life of a rabbit is full of hardship, and the rabbits face many challenges on their way to the hill of Watership Down, where they will eventually make their new warren, as well as new challenges once they get there.
This is a book well-known for traumatizing young children, who are drawn in by the promise of a cute rabbit adventure only to be hit in the face with the bloody reality of a wild rabbit’s life. As an adult reading, however, it’s not nearly as gruesome as I was led to believe. I think most of its reputation is the result of people reading it while very young. While I do think people can read this at any age, I’m glad to read it as an adult, because I don’t think I would have had the patience for its style as a kid. However, I was obsessed with Warrior Cats as a middle-schooler, which clearly took a great deal of inspiration from Watership Down.
I had watched the 1978 film about a year ago, so I remembered most of but not all of the plot beats. The film is remarkably loyal to the plot, but the book goes a lot more in depth into the rabbits as characters. I especially appreciated the stories of El-Ahrairah, which is something that is only lightly touched on in the film. In the book, they serve to give more color to the world, act as a reprieve between tenser plot beats, and later inspire our Chief Rabbit Hazel to come up with his plan to save the warren.
Adams’ prose and style was an unexpected highlight for me as well. He describes the settings very evocatively, especially considering he is writing from a rabbit’s point of view. An early example:
“From the moment he entered it, the wood seemed full of noises. There was the smell of damp leaves and moss, and everywhere the splash of water went whispering about. Just inside, the brook made a little fall into a pool, and the sound, enclosed among the trees, echoed as though in a cave. Roosting birds rustled overhead; the night breeze stirred the leaves; here and there a dead twig fell. And there were more sinister, unidentified sounds from further away; sounds of movement.”
Again, this is not something I would have had the patience for as a kid, especially when he spends an entire page describing the specific way moonlight reflects on the downs, but it’s something I’ve gained a deeper appreciation for as an adult. Though that moonlight one was still a bit much.
Even though Adams claims this book is not allegory (in the same way that Lord of the Rings is not allegory I’m sure), there’s a lot to be analyzed and unpacked, while still being an enjoyable read on the surface level. The epigraphs at the beginning of each chapter point to some of the inspirations Adams uses, and those alone are enough to send you down a rabbit hole (pardon my pun). One of those books where the more you put into it, the more you get out of it. Especially when it comes to the Efrafa arc and the characters fight against rabbit fascists, I refuse to believe there’s not at least some symbolism there. I’m all for Death of the Author in this instance - people have compared Woundwort to Stalin, or Hazel to Jesus Christ. Everybody seems to come to the book with a different lens, and I think all of them are fascinating, add to the story, and cast it in a new light.
In short, it’s a classic for a reason. It seems to be written for everyone and yet no one. Though it has dark themes and a scattering of bloody scenes, it’s nowhere near as gruesome as its reputation (all the main rabbits live!)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty
adventurous
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death
adventurous
dark
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Death
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Confinement, Death, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexism, Blood, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Mental illness, Pregnancy, Colonisation
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I understand now why this book is regarded as a classic and why a book about rabbits is studied in classrooms. As someone who just finished a year of Greek lit, Roman lit, and Shakespearean lit courses (and as fan of Lord of the Rings), I see exactly where Adams draws his inspirations. Yes, it's about rabbits, but it's realistic and immersive, and has a bit of a military tone if you completely forget that they're rabbits. But Adams never does let you forget his characters are rabbits, as much as they are compared to humans. The journey from Sandalford to Watership Down is not unlike Aeneas' voyage from Troy to Italy, or Odysseus' journey, and just like Tolkien's rich descriptive imagery, Adams also gives picturesque descriptions of the environment (but in a much easier and condensed read).
Most of the rabbits who we follow have distinctive personalities and character traits that set them apart and it was so so easy to grow attached to them, but there arent so many that it becomes overwhelming. The background characters aren't constantly mentioned that you'd need a character description sheet like Warrior Cats.
And just like Warrior Cats there are some violent and some very sad gruesome parts. Like the genocide of the Sandalford warren. This part is recounted to us by Captain Holly who's turnaround is incredibly sympathetic. The line where he very sorrowfully acknowledges he is now a completely different rabbit from when we first met him made me feel so sad. Another sympathetic turnaround character was Strawberry. When he begs the main company to take him with them it really pulled at my heartstrings.
Fiver's speech after they rescue Bigwig stuck with me too. That was his MOMENT and i loved it. The respect he gains from all the others when they finally listen to him really makes you feel proud. It's so immersive and emotionally provoking that I feel like i made this journey with them. And Hazelrah! I love Hazel so much. I love a kind, supportive, harmonious, open-hearted main character.
The myths and folklore really make it feel like a real society. Like the stories of the trickster rabbit El-ahraira interspersed throughout the book. Sometimes id groan about it but halfway through when the story would be interrupted by one of the rabbits being restless, just like a kid id get impatient and be like "okay but what happens to El-ahraira next??"And by the end of the book when Hazel is dying and sees a rabbit spirit and is like who are you? The spirit says oh you know me very well, i was inbetween giddiness and tears.
The El-ahrairah myths are like a meta plot device in hindsight, each one has a little lesson for the rabbits to be resourceful and tricky in order to survive, but by the end of the book you realize Hazel played the role of El-ahraira.
Normally my reviews are more constructive but I just wanted to rave about how much i loved this book. Some parts dragged (mainly the descriptive bits) but it doesnt take away from the 5 stars im giving this.
Most of the rabbits who we follow have distinctive personalities and character traits that set them apart and it was so so easy to grow attached to them, but there arent so many that it becomes overwhelming. The background characters aren't constantly mentioned that you'd need a character description sheet like Warrior Cats.
And just like Warrior Cats there are some violent and some very sad gruesome parts. Like the genocide of the Sandalford warren. This part is recounted to us by Captain Holly who's turnaround is incredibly sympathetic. The line where he very sorrowfully acknowledges he is now a completely different rabbit from when we first met him made me feel so sad. Another sympathetic turnaround character was Strawberry. When he begs the main company to take him with them it really pulled at my heartstrings.
Fiver's speech after they rescue Bigwig stuck with me too. That was his MOMENT and i loved it. The respect he gains from all the others when they finally listen to him really makes you feel proud. It's so immersive and emotionally provoking that I feel like i made this journey with them. And Hazelrah! I love Hazel so much. I love a kind, supportive, harmonious, open-hearted main character.
The myths and folklore really make it feel like a real society. Like the stories of the trickster rabbit El-ahraira interspersed throughout the book. Sometimes id groan about it but halfway through when the story would be interrupted by one of the rabbits being restless, just like a kid id get impatient and be like "okay but what happens to El-ahraira next??"
The El-ahrairah myths are like a meta plot device in hindsight, each one has a little lesson for the rabbits to be resourceful and tricky in order to survive, but by the end of the book you realize Hazel played the role of El-ahraira.
Normally my reviews are more constructive but I just wanted to rave about how much i loved this book. Some parts dragged (mainly the descriptive bits) but it doesnt take away from the 5 stars im giving this.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Death, Genocide, Panic attacks/disorders, Blood
Moderate: Animal death, Body horror, Suicide attempt, Murder, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Cannibalism, War, Pandemic/Epidemic
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
RTC
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death
Moderate: Death, Slavery, Torture, Violence
Minor: Miscarriage, Sexism, Pregnancy
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
A worthy classic is an understatement. I personally loved this book and the contents. I find that it could be a great read for almost anyone, young and old. Whether you love animal fables, classics, or just a good compelling story, this book is a must.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Blood, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Animal death, Death, Gore, Miscarriage, Violence, War
Minor: Confinement
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
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:
Complicated
I think aspects of the book are dated (both socially and in terms of rabbit science) but I think the inner lives of animals are an interesting topic to explore especially for a fantasy novel.
I appreciate that the author didn't anthropomorphize the animals too much in terms of their behaviors or make the rabbits too cuddly/Disney-esque as I find that sometimes people have a tendency to sanitize nature when nature can be fairly brutal and unforgiving (especially when you're a member of a species that's on a low tier of a food web).
I thought that the novel provided a really interesting thought experiment in what it must be like to live such a life and how bizarre/terrifying they must think humans are.
All that being said, I think I enjoyed the graphic novel adaptation more as it streamlined the story and cut some of the most dated lines. I mainly enjoyed the novel for the extra El-ahrairah stories.
I appreciate that the author didn't anthropomorphize the animals too much in terms of their behaviors or make the rabbits too cuddly/Disney-esque as I find that sometimes people have a tendency to sanitize nature when nature can be fairly brutal and unforgiving (especially when you're a member of a species that's on a low tier of a food web).
I thought that the novel provided a really interesting thought experiment in what it must be like to live such a life and how bizarre/terrifying they must think humans are.
All that being said, I think I enjoyed the graphic novel adaptation more as it streamlined the story and cut some of the most dated lines. I mainly enjoyed the novel for the extra El-ahrairah stories.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Blood, War
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Confinement, Pregnancy
Minor: Miscarriage, Racism, Sexism
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
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
This was far less traumatising than my memory of the film was expecting it to be, which is good! I listened to the audiobook, so I struggled a little bit with the lapine words sometimes, but other than that this was a great book.
It was also interesting hearing the introduction by Richard Adams where he explained that this was just a story he made up to tell his kids and they convinced him to turn it into a book. And he then struggled to get it published, but that it was surprisingly popular which he never expected. I think all of that comes across in the book, it's a story he wrote for himself and his kids and he refused to make any changes to make it more marketable - that authenticity of his writing and connection to the story shines through.
It was also interesting hearing the introduction by Richard Adams where he explained that this was just a story he made up to tell his kids and they convinced him to turn it into a book. And he then struggled to get it published, but that it was surprisingly popular which he never expected. I think all of that comes across in the book, it's a story he wrote for himself and his kids and he refused to make any changes to make it more marketable - that authenticity of his writing and connection to the story shines through.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Violence