A classic tale never to be forgotten - Rated 
It's unbelievable that one misguided individual has actually taken the time to write five negative reviews about this book (they are quite obviously by the same person as their content is virtually identical). That particular reader attacks the book for having a "low reading level" yet the reviews themselves are full of mistakes and non-sequiters... The same person calls the book "too cute"; anyone who has actually read and understood the book will agree that one of the most remarkable things about it is the way the rabbits and other animals are always true to their nature, and there is a marked absense of anything 'cute' - in fact the book is decidedly harrowing in parts. To compare this book with 'Animal Farm' is pointless; Orwell's tale is a political allegory that happens to feature animals, whereas this is told from an animal's perspective (although there are some political allusions). Not only is it a wonderfully imagined rabbit's-eye view of the world, it's also an exciting adventure, a moving plea for compassion in our treatment of animals and the environment and a classic tale of freedom versus oppression. The prose is excellent, far better than anything Tolkien or CS Lewis ever produced, and the book can be enjoyed by older children and adults alike. In the 'Seventies Watership Down was an absolute phenomenon, selling well over 30 million copies worldwide. It's a great pity that it no longer recieves the public attention it so richly deserves. Adams's other animal fiction - Shardik, The Plague Dogs and Traveller, all of which are aimed more directly at adults - are also worth seeking out, but this remains his finest work.
Truly, one of the very best. - Rated
I was first introduced to this book as a teenager by my mother of all people, whoever listens to their mother in their teenage years. There aren't many books which completely capture you as does "Watership Down" with the tales of Hazel, Bigwig and Fiver plus the interspersed stories such as the black rabit of Inle. You get absorbed by the politics of the Owsla and the terror faced in the warren run by the general. Such a beautiful book, exceptional, are words that come to mind. Its so easy to be living their story and the death of Hazel is unbearably sad.
Truly, one of the very best.
Two Thumbs Up for Watership Down - Rated
'Watership Down' deserves every word of praise it gets now and will continue to get for generations to come. This timeless treasure of American literature stands as a towering landmark to good story-telling, flawless talent, and a return to a style the reader will not have felt since childhood. But make no mistake; 'Watership Down' is NO children's book. Its intelligence, craft, and moveable feel with take its readers to an unforgettable place they will be sorry to leave as they turn the last page.
Bigwig Brilliantly Bashes Bugs Bunny - Rated
"Watership Down" was Richard Adams' debut novel and was first published in 1972. He originally told it to his children to help pass the time on long car journeys. It won the Guardian Award and the Carnegie Medal in 1973 and is set in Berkshire, where Adams was born in 1920. It is, of course, about rabbits, and was made into an animated film in 1978 - the soundtrack of which featured "Bright Eyes", by Art Garfunkel.
The book opens at Sandleford Warren in May, with Hazel, a yearling, and his brother, Fiver, feeding at sunset. Although brothers, the pair are very different. Fiver was the runt of the litter and, as a result, is a lot smaller and much more nervous than his brother. He is, however, also something of a seer and - not long after the book opens - foresees the destruction of their home warren. The pair bring the prophecy to the Threarah, their chief rabbit - who, despite Fiver's success rate, refuses to accept it. The brothers decide to leave anyhow, and mean to bring whoever wishes to come along with them. A number of others join them, including two Owsla members : Silver, a nephew of the Threarah, and Bigwig. Although they have little idea of where they're going, Fiver knows what they should be looking for and have an excellent leader in Hazel.
This book has so much going for it, it's hard to write a review that will do it justice. Bigwig was a great character - an all-action rabbit (yes, really !!) whose name comes from the strange tuft of hair between his ears. However, he's not the only star. Other notable characters include General Woundwort, the leader of another warren and the baddest rabbit in England. (A vicious character, he'd leave your average bunny-boiler with badly burnt fingers and causes our heroes a great deal of trouble). Kehaar, a somewhat foul-mouthed (or is that foul-beaked ?) seagull, provides a certain amount of humour. He also helps the rabbits establish themselves after they arrive at their new home. The story is very engaging and is very well told. Adams explains the way rabbit society is structured, for example, including the role of a Chief Rabbit and his Owsla. As the story progresses, he includes a few words of the rabbits' own language and a few of their myths : these are very much centred on the great rabbit hero, El-ahrairah. An excellent book, and highly recommended.
A perfect book - Rated
When I was around fifteen my parents and I had this deal where for every "classic" book I bought (and read), they would buy me the usual books I would tend to (Stephen King, Chistopher Pike, in fact, anything with blood and gore). Watership Down was one of classics I bought to keep them happy. However, despite the attitude I had to sitting down to reading this "book about rabbits," it didn't take long for me fall in love with this book. Hard.
I couldn't agree more with the reviewer who talked about the goosebumps he feels every times he reads the opening lines "The primroses were over." The whole book is truely sensational and a classic for a reason.
An amazing, emotive, and beatifully written read. I am now 23, still a fan of blood, gore and all things violent and it's still, by quite a long way, my favourite book - the only close contenders being the Dark Materials Trilogy.
Kudos to your genius, Richard Adams, for making a "book about rabbits" one of the all time greats
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