Illustrated with a combination of stills from the tv and soft line artwork, this is a wonderful introduction to richard adams original awardwinning story, first published over 45 years ago and regarded as a modern classic. But is the bbcnetflix new animation as terrifying as. The first edition of the novel was published in november 1972, and was written by richard adams. Despite facing many challenges along the way, hazel, bigwig, fiver and the others take on. Watership down is sort of like a rabbity version of lord of the rings. Watership down by richard adams, david parkins waterstones. It is a powerful saga of courage, leadership and survival. Watership down i still love this book, and despite knowing what was coming, hazelrah meeting the black rabbit still had me crying. Watership down in the midst of war, the faintest ray. The plot is epic and filled with trials and tribulations, and it features a large party of rabbits of different skills and attributes. Is watership down really just a story about rabbits. Although the rabbit characters have a language and a culture, and they converse and interact just as humans do, these are not capandwaistcoat picturebook bunnies, but fully realized characters whose conflicts and triumphs keep readers engrossed.
Richard adams 1972 the fullscale novel about rabbits finding their promised land has the magic of prophecy, idyllic hampshire locations and. Although the rabbit characters have a language and a culture, and they converse and interact just as humans do, these are not capandwaistcoat picturebook bunnies, but fully realized characters whose conflicts. May 05, 2020 richard adams, in full richard george adams, born may 9, 1920, wash common, berkshire now west berkshire, englanddied december 24, 2016, english author known for reinvigorating the genre of anthropomorphic fiction, most notably with the beloved childrens book watership down 1972. One of the most beloved novels of our time, richard adams s watership down takes us to a world we have never truly seen. This book is a compilation of film stills from the movie watership down 1978, with a little added text by book author richard adams himself, so one can follow the films story. Watership down, which i would feel comfortable describing as one of the finest and most interesting books of the 20th century, is most. For many readers, watership down was one of the novels that marked a transition from childhood towards adulthood.
The watership down film picture book by richard adams. First published in 1972, this paperback reissue with a stunning new cover celebrates its 40th anniversary. Watership down is an addictive book that tells of hazel,fiver,and a band of rabbit followers who leave their home in search of a new down after a evil prophecy telling of the destruction of their home. It is about a group of rabbits that decide to leave their home, or warren, and find a new life somewhere else. A phenomenal worldwide bestseller for over forty years, richard adams spellbinding classic watership down is one of the bestloved novels of all time, and resonates just as vividly today as it did nearly half a century ago. Watership down is not a childrens book the world of edrith. Born in 1920, adams became known for his iconic adventure novel, which. Watership down and the power of notquiteappropriate childrens books. Watership down is a classic fantasy novel, written in 1972, that originated in stories told by richard adams to his daughters on long car drives. This book is a compilation of film stills from the movie watership down 1978, with a little added text by book author richard adams himself, so one can follow the film s story. Martin rosens 1978 version scared just as many kids as richard adams. Netflixs watership down avoids the risks that made the book and film so rewarding new, comments richard adams 1972 novel told a story worthy of both children and adults. Watership down author once suggested he made childrens book too dark the film version is infamous for its scenes of animated violence.
Mar 27, 2016 in watership down, he created a book ahead of its time, a multilayered novel that appealed to adults and children alike. Watership down richard adams read online free books. In watership down, he created a book ahead of its time, a multilayered novel that appealed to adults and children alike. Nov 01, 2005 one day, infuriated at a lousy childrens book he bought, he considered. It quickly became a huge success with both children and adults, and won the guardian childrens fiction award and the carnegie medal in 1972.
Richard adams wrote many novels and short stories, including shardik and the plague. All of which raises the question, is watership down really for kids. Watership down was written for adults, but adolescents often find it more irresistible than their elders do. But as richard adams s watership down teaches us, rabbits are actually violent, adventurous creatures, with a complex culture and mythology. Netflixs new watership down proves the beloved childrens classic was a horror story all along the new series best episode, the raid, is weak in allegory but great at putting cute. This is a really special familyfriendly edition of watership down. The book was published in multiple languages including english, consists of 478 pages and is available in mass market paperback format. Apr 27, 2016 watership down, everyones favorite traumatizing book for children, has already famously been adapted for screen. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders.
From there, they will be able to see all around them and have warning of any enemies in the area. Watership down and the power of notquiteappropriate. This book is a little more challenging, and it has a fun story line. Although it is a book about talking rabbits, the story is deeper than the average childrens book and deals with mature themes.
Watership down, everyones favorite traumatizing book for children, has already famously been adapted for screen. With a new fourpart bbc adaptation planned for christmas 2018, in collaboration with netflix and voiced by stars including john boyega, rosamund pike, olivia colman and. Watership down the story that traumatised children of the 1970s is back. Richard adams 1972 the fullscale novel about rabbits finding their promised land has the magic of. But as richard adamss watership down teaches us, rabbits are actually violent, adventurous creatures, with a complex culture and mythology. Aug 10, 2016 watership down, which i would feel comfortable describing as one of the finest and most interesting books of the 20 th century, is most accessible to older children and adults, despite having. All this time we thought rabbits were just cute, floppyeared carroteaters with a penchant for hopping. What robin hood is to the english and john henry to. Finally, a book that tells us the honesttogoodness truth about rabbits. The economist heralded the books publication, saying if there is no place for watership down in childrens bookshops, then childrens literature is dead. Watership down is an epic journey, a stirring tale of adventure, courage and survival against the odds. Like all good childrens literature, watership down does not insult the young readers intelligence with simplified messages.
The result is one of englands most beloved young readers novels. Watership down is an epic tale of anthropomorphized rabbits that loosely. Its kind of a pastoral fantasy, based on anthropomorphized rabbits, who have an elaborate if primitive society. The novel was adapted into an animated feature film in 1978, and later, a television series, which ran from.
Led by hazel, more of a william bradford than a moses, the. Watership down author once suggested he made children s book too dark the film version is infamous for its scenes of animated violence. Watership down began as a series of improvised stories author richard adams told his young daughters during car trips. Netflixs watership down proves it was a horror story all. A signpost in human language announces a development of the field the remaining rabbits will be subsequently gassed. Free download or read online watership down pdf epub book. Watership down 15 best childrens books of all time books. Its not surprising that watership down was categorized on publication as a childrens book. Told in four ferocious parts, netflixs magnificent watership down adaptation only suffers from shoddy animation. Watership down by macmillan childrens books pan macmillan. Pdf watership down book by richard adams free download 478. In april, the bbc and netflix announced an ambitious fourpart animated dramatization of richard adams childhood classic. Jan 12, 2019 and of course, a book does not have to be explicit to not be a childrens book. Unfortunately, it seems that talking animals have not escaped that trap.
Richard adams, in full richard george adams, born may 9, 1920, wash common, berkshire now west berkshire, englanddied december 24, 2016, english author known for reinvigorating the genre of anthropomorphic fiction, most notably with the beloved childrens book watership down 1972. Dec 15, 2018 but watership down, richard adamss novel, is, although notionally for children, in many respects an adults novel. The story of watership down, edited originally in 1972, starts when the rabbit fiver begins to have visions showing a great catastrophe destroying his colony. And of course, a book does not have to be explicit to not be a childrens book. Watership down and the power of notquiteappropriate childrens. Jan 19, 2019 all of which raises the question, is watership down really for kids. It was rejected by several publishers before collings accepted the manuscript.
One day, infuriated at a lousy childrens book he bought, he considered. Watership down is a survival and adventure novel by english author richard adams. Seasons 1, 2 and 3 of the tv series watership down watership down is a britishcanadian animated fantasy childrens television series, adapted from. He becomes the leader of the rabbits when they reach watership down, with a particular talent at bringing out the best in his friends and inspiring their loyalty. One of the most beloved novels of our time, richard adamss watership down takes us to a world we have never truly seen. But a blackbird, singing undisturbed on the outskirts of the wood, showed that there was nothing alarming there, and in the other direction, along the brook, all was plain to be seen, empty and quiet. Jun 19, 2016 seasons 1, 2 and 3 of the tv series watership down watership down is a britishcanadian animated fantasy children s television series, adapted from the novel watership down by richard adams. Richard adams, author of the beloved childrens book watership down, passed away on christmas eve at the age of 96.
Its nice to be able to marvel at the artwork itself, and to see how gorgeous and exceptional the movie really is, but of course its no substitution for either the. Celebrate watership down author richard adams with this. We were assigned this book in english, and looking at the cover i was not expecting to love it, but thats what happened. Watership down is a survival and adventure novel by english author richard adams, published by rex collings ltd of london in 1972. He originally began telling the story of watership down to his two daughters and they insisted he publish it as a book. But trust me, watership down is so much more than a simple childrens story. Although the rabbit characters have a language and a culture, and they converse and interact just as humans do, these are not capandwaistcoat picture book bunnies, but fully realized characters whose conflicts and triumphs keep readers engrossed. Set in southern england, around hampshire, the story features a small group of rabbits. But suffice it to say, watership down was probably the most important of the childrens stories i read, just as i was teetering on the edge of entering the world of adult literature i seem to have skipped young adult and instead plunged into the worlds of steinbeck, salinger, and hemingway soon after this novel in 6th grade. The main characters of this classics, fiction story are bigwig, fiver. Here and there one sat upright on an ant heap and looked about, with ears erect and nose in the wind. Dec 22, 2018 watership down is a bit of a conundrum. Dec 20, 2018 told in four ferocious parts, netflixs magnificent watership down adaptation only suffers from shoddy animation. It quickly became a huge success with both children and adults, and won the guardian children s fiction award and the carnegie medal in 1972.
They also find several old rabbit burrows to use for temporary housing. Mar 21, 2019 this is a really special familyfriendly edition of watership down. Dec 23, 2018 netflixs watership down avoids the risks that made the book and film so rewarding new, comments richard adams 1972 novel told a story worthy of both children and adults. Because when it comes down to it, there is really nothing about watership down that would make one think it was a childrens book at all, except for that fact that it contains talking animals. It s kind of a pastoral fantasy, based on anthropomorphized rabbits, who have an elaborate if primitive society. As the late, great comic mitch hedberg once quipped, every book is a childrens book if the kid can read. This is usually aimed at the 912 market, but works so wonderfully as an adult read.
Watership down author once suggested he made childrens book. From where you can watch it to details of the cast, heres everything you need to know. Is watership down a childrens book a new bbcnetflix miniseries based on the novel brings out the storys you could argue that if anything marks watership down as a juvenile. Watership down was awarded both the carnegie medal and the guardian award for children s fiction for 1972. A beautiful, fully illustrated picture storybook, with text by award winning author frank cottrellboyce. Hazel and dandelion explore the top of the hill and find it to be a perfect place for their new warren. But suffice it to say, watership down was probably the most important of the childrens stories i read, just as i was teetering on the edge of entering the world of adult literature i seem to have skipped young adult and instead plunged into the worlds of steinbeck, salinger, and hemingway soon after this novel in. Although they live in their natural wild environment, with burrows, they are anthropomorphised. Adams also invented the language, lapine, spoken by hazel and fiver. It s nice to be able to marvel at the artwork itself, and to see how gorgeous and exceptional the movie really is, but of course it s no substitution for either the.
These rabbits sought a new home, and they had to fight to get there every step of the way. The book has been awarded with mythopoeic fantasy award nominee 1975, guardian children s fiction prize 1973 and many others. My own version shows a black silhouette of a rabbit at sunset with grass in the front, a picture which appears in many ways somewhat sinister. The classic childrens novel by richard adams, about a band of rabbits trying to establish a safe home in the english countryside, is a little too subtle. Yet theres no reason why it cant be read with pleasure by adults, and there are many sophisticated elements which may be appreciated more by experienced readers. The new bbc and netflix adaptation of richard adams classic childrens book watership down is coming to tv in december 2018. Pdf watership down book by richard adams free download. Why watership down should be on every students reading list. A new bbcnetflix miniseries based on the novel brings out the storys aspects of adventure and conflict, with occasionally pulsepounding results. Dec 27, 2016 richard adams, author of the beloved childrens book watership down, passed away on christmas eve at the age of 96. Watership down, which i would feel comfortable describing as one of the finest and most interesting books of the 20 th century, is most accessible to older children and adults, despite having. But watership down, richard adamss novel, is, although notionally for children, in many respects an adults novel. In 1974 he retired from the civil service to devote himself to writing, and in that year he published shardik, his second novel.