Watership Down

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 Book Review:




Welcome back, Sardis Falcons!! September 2023 is Fantasy month in the SSS Library and we are highlighting the best-selling fantasy books and series of all time. It’s no surprise to find Harry Potter, The Hobbit & The Lord of the Rings, the Narnia books, and the Wheel of Time series all given their rightful places of honor. As great as these classic tales are, they hardly need yet another review. But there is one masterwork that I believe deserves more attention…

Often forgotten, hiding in plain sight on practically every library in the western world yet rarely checked out, is Richard Adams’ debut novel, “Watership Down”. Since its release in 1972, it has sold over fifty million copies, won both the Carnegie Medal and Guardian Prize, and been adapted to animated film in 1978. Additionally, it has been removed from the shelves of various libraries due to the story’s darkly violent content and been completely banned in China for its anti-Marxist message. Curious yet?

When I tell you Watership Down is a story about bunnies trying to find a new home, you’re bound to think it sounds either lame, or cute. Wrong and wrong again! This book is deep, gritty, highly original, and gripping. I would never have imagined I could get so emotionally caught up in the struggles, heartbreaks, and triumphs of mere rabbits. I won’t give you any spoilers because I hope you will check it out and enjoy it for yourself. Truly, an amazing story!!

 

Recommendation: a must read!!!

 

Mr. Wedel

 

Author – Richard Adams

Publishing – Scribner, New York/London/Toronto/Sydney/New Delhi, 1972

Genre – Fantasy

Pages - 474

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