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A review by _mimizuku
Watership Down by Richard Adams
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
5.0
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