Update 28 - Watership Down

Watership Down is one of those books you’re supposed to have read if you’re an American who reads classics. That has been my perception at least. I finally got around to reading the novel by Richard Adams this past week.

The story is about a group of rabbits who flee their warren to find a new home after one of them has a vision of pending doom. The tale was thought up by Adams on the fly, telling stories to his daughters while driving them in the car, according to the book’s forward. Adams had trouble publishing the novel initially, as publishers of childrens books thought the subject of rabbits was too childish for older children, and that the book was too violent for younger children. The result of its eventual publication was a best seller, not because Adams aimed to make a best seller, but because it was a good, honest story.

I won’t go into the story past that initial summary, but I would recommend it. It’s an enjoyable tale in general. It has a realness to it that I should probably expand on but won’t. The rabbits don’t do anything rabbits would normally do. They have interpersonal relationships that feel like actual people interacting. I really enjoyed the rabbit Bigwig because he reminded me of my brother.

I think reading good books can better my own writing, which continues.

I’m looking forward to watching the animated film version tonight. I’ve heard it’s traumatized many a child.