Watership Down - Softcover

Parkins, David; Adams, Richard

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0140364536 ISBN 13: 9780140364538

Publisher: Puffin Classics, 1993

Synopsis

Tells the story of a motley band of rabbits who desert their ancient warren when the gentle Fiver predicts imminent destruction of all who remain. Led by Fiver's intelligent brother, Hazel, the refugees set out on an epic search for a new home.

About this title

Review:

Despite the fact that it's often a hard sell at first (what teenager wouldn't cringe at the thought of 400-plus pages of talking rabbits?), Richard Adams' bunny-centric epic rarely fails to win the love and respect of anyone who reads it, regardless of age. Like most great novels, Watership Down is a rich story that can be read (and reread) on many different levels. The book is often praised as an allegory, with its analogues between human and rabbit culture (a fact sometimes used to goad skeptical teens, who resent the challenge that they won't "get" it, into reading it), but it's equally praiseworthy as just a corking good adventure.

The story follows a warren of Berkshire rabbits fleeing the destruction of their home by a land developer. As they search for a safe haven, skirting danger at every turn, we become acquainted with the band and its compelling culture and mythos. Adams has crafted a touching, involving world in the dirt and scrub of the English countryside, complete with its own folk history and language (the book comes with a "lapine" glossary, a guide to rabbitese). As much about freedom, ethics and human nature as it is about a bunch of bunnies looking for a warm hidey-hole and some mates, Watership Down will continue to make the transition from classroom desk to bedside table for many generations to come. --Paul Hughes

Review:

"A classic...A great book."

-- "Los Angeles Times"

"A classic...A great book."

-- "Los Angeles Times"

To capture the feeling of the verdant English landscape in Richard Adams's "Watership Down" (Atheneum, 496 pages, $29.99), first published in 1972, Aldo Galli painted in the real locations described in the story. In his finely wrought illustrations, the rabbits Hazel and Pipkin crouch beside the real Nuthanger Farm and Hazel, Bigwig and Fiver make their way across the real Hampshire downs. Mr. Galli brings a sense of intensified realism to his depictions in this 40th anniversary edition. Foliage is luxuriantly, impossibly green, and the edges of things--the feathers of birds, the fluff of dandelions--look as sharp as if they were cut from glass. As a gift, this edition would suit anyone over the age of 10, including adults.

"A classic...A great book."
-- "Los Angeles Times"

"Spellbinding...Marvelous...A taut tale of suspense, hot pursuit and derring-do."
-- Chicago Tribune

"A classic...A great book."
-- Los Angeles Times

"Quite marvelous...A powerful new vision of the great chain of being."
-- The New York Times Book Review

About this edition

• Publisher: Puffin Classics
• Publication date: 1993
• ISBN 10: 0140364536
• ISBN 13: 9780140364538
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 496