Review written for ClubReading.com by Barbara

I’m reviewing this book just in case people exist who haven’t read it, and if that’s the case, we all know they’re in for a wonderful read. It’s a tale written with several layers, the first being a tangible one involving a community of rabbits whose warren is about to be destroyed and who must venture forth to find a new Eden. Huge adventures filled with danger and bravery and humor ensue, and they’re all told from a rabbit point of view without ever dropping below an adult reading level. The book’s second layer is allegorical. It’s where you’ll find notions of freedom, heroism, myth, and more, but you need not even recognize this part because the book is written by a master storyteller.

EXCERPT FROM Watership Down:

“Listen,” said Dandelion. “What’s that?”

For a moment Hazel could hear nothing. Then he caught a distant but clear sound-a kind of wailing or crying, wavering and intermittent. Although it did not sound like any sort of hunting call, it was so unnatural that it filled him with fear. As he listened, it ceased.

“What in Frith’s name makes a noise like that?” said Bigwig, his great fur cap hackling between his ears.

“A cat?” said Speedwell, wide-eyed.

“That’s no cat!” said Bigwig, his lips drawn back in a stiffened, unnatural grimace. “That’s no cat! Don’t you know what it is? Your mother-” He broke off. Then he said, very low, “Your mother told you, didn’t she?”

“No!” cried Dandelion. “No! It’s some bird-some rat-wounded-”

Bigwig stood up. His back was arched and his head nodded on his stiffened neck.

“The Black Rabbit of Inlé,” he whispered. “What else-in a place like this?”

“Don’t talk like that!” said Hazel. He could feel himself trembling, and braced his legs against the sides of the narrow cut.

Suddenly the noise sounded again, nearer; and now there could be no mistake. What they heard was the voice of a rabbit, but changed out of all recognition. It might have come from the cold spaces of the dark sky outside, so unearthly and desolate was the sound. At first there was only a wailing. Then, distinct and beyond mistaking, they heard-they all heard-words.