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Original Essays | December 12, 2009

Alexander McCall Smith: IMG The Courage of Others

0 comments By Alexander McCall Smith

I have recently written a novel about life in England during the Second World War. I felt some concern before I tackled this theme — the War... Continue »
  1. $16.76 Sale Hardcover add to wish list

    La's Orchestra Saves the World

    Alexander McCall Smith

Watership Down

by Richard Adams

Watership Down Cover

Synopses & Reviews

Publisher Comments:

One of the most acclaimed, best-loved novels of the 20th century, here is the remarkable epic adventure of courage and survival, as a hardy band of rabbits flee the destruction of their fragile community to face overwhelming adversity in pursuit of a glorious dream called "home".

Review:

"Spellbinding....Marvelous....A taut tale of suspense, hot pursuit, and derring-do." Chicago Tribune

Review:

"Quite Marvelous....A Powerful New Vision of the Great Chain of Being." The New York Times Book Review

Review:

"A Classic....A great book." Los Angeles Times
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About the Author

Richard Adams is the author of many bestselling novels, including Watership Down, Shardik, The Plague Dogs, The Girl in a Swing, Maia, and Traveller, as well as several works of nonfiction, including his autobiographical The Day Gone By.
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What Our Readers Are Saying

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Average customer rating based on 5 comments:
hazel-rah, July 26, 2009 (view all comments by hazel-rah)

So many people (some of them here) comment that they are reading this book again, and again, and again throughout their lives - they have lost count of how many times. I know exactly what they mean. Every time I lift this book from the shelf, I am drawn in again by its complex characters, compelling story, and Adams' tense but not overbearing analogies to 20th century political crises (here, of course, acted out by rabbits). I could recommend few other English novels to my friends more highly.

Additionally, this would make a particularly nice gift to smart and dedicated young adults, as well. My father first introduced me 'Watership Down' in my early teens. Though it is a bit intense, I was both flattered by his gesture and stunned by what the book taught me about history, empathy, courage, and the human condition. I would imagine that I have read it nearly every of the 20+ years since.
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MWilson25, July 15, 2009 (view all comments by MWilson25)
I just finished reading this novel for what was at least my fourth or fifth time, and it remains as compelling now as when I first turned its pages. Full of suspense and intrigue, it's a fascinating window into a world more real than one might dare imagine. Truly one of the greatest novels of the last fifty years.
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broncosfan203, July 14, 2008 (view all comments by broncosfan203)
This novel is shockingly amazing. It is about a group of rabbits that are expelled from their home. It is about courage, fear, death, leadership and survival. The simple prose is easy to read and immediately arresting. It is truly impossible not to feel nearly every emotion as you read about these little rabbits. Fear, camaraderie, anger, joy. Easily a classic.
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Product Details

ISBN:
9780380002931
Author:
Adams, Richard
Publisher:
Avon
Location:
New York :
Subject:
Literary
Subject:
Fiction
Subject:
Classics
Subject:
Novels and novellas
Subject:
Literature
Subject:
British and irish
Subject:
Adventure stories
Subject:
Fantasy - General
Subject:
Rabbits
Subject:
Survival
Subject:
Adventure fiction
Copyright:
1972
Publication Date:
19760101
Binding:
Mass Market Paperback
Language:
English
Illustrations:
Y
Pages:
496
Dimensions:
6.94x4.36x1.14 in. .53 lbs.
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