Watership Down: In Depth review
Synopsis
Hazel and Fiver are two rabbits living in a warren ruled by the Owsala, the strong. Fiver, a rabbit prone to having visions, says that the Warren will be destroyed. This launches an epic quest as Hazel, Fiver, and the exiled Owsala Bigwig battle their way to safety, freedom, and their own warren.
Negative Content
Sexual: Some of the story is the heroes attempting to get does for their warrens, and it is mentioned that some of the bucks are/were mating. One doe thinks that she is being called for mating, but in reality, it is not (Implied).
Spiritual: One of the rabbits has a vision, and others are able to sense danger, allegiances, etc. There are stories woven in about magical rabbit (A sort of mythology) and god-like beings. (SPOILER WARNING) In the end the same magical rabbit comes to take Hazel to the end world.
Profanity: Some of the "riff-raff creatures" (Scavenger birds for example) say "d*mn" when they are angry.
Violence/gore: The fighting is up close and personal, and there are descriptions of battered and bloodied rabbits. A few die, though no main characters do.
Positive Content
Hazel, Bigwig, Fiver and all of the heroes fight for what they believe in and try to better the world around them. They make sacrifices for others, one being maimed close to death for his captain. There is a society that appears to be loosely communist that is depicted as evil. The main characters do not promote others as better purely because of their strength, despite the fact that every other warren does.
Conclusion
Watership Down is a heartwarming story of refugees attempting to make a home for themselves against all odds. Richards Adams beautifully crafts a compelling and poignant story, while not compromising on character growth or world-building. In the end, all you can say is, "It was a good book." Some of the themes may be more mature though, so I recommend this for 12 and up.
Hazel and Fiver are two rabbits living in a warren ruled by the Owsala, the strong. Fiver, a rabbit prone to having visions, says that the Warren will be destroyed. This launches an epic quest as Hazel, Fiver, and the exiled Owsala Bigwig battle their way to safety, freedom, and their own warren.
Negative Content
Sexual: Some of the story is the heroes attempting to get does for their warrens, and it is mentioned that some of the bucks are/were mating. One doe thinks that she is being called for mating, but in reality, it is not (Implied).
Spiritual: One of the rabbits has a vision, and others are able to sense danger, allegiances, etc. There are stories woven in about magical rabbit (A sort of mythology) and god-like beings. (SPOILER WARNING) In the end the same magical rabbit comes to take Hazel to the end world.
Profanity: Some of the "riff-raff creatures" (Scavenger birds for example) say "d*mn" when they are angry.
Violence/gore: The fighting is up close and personal, and there are descriptions of battered and bloodied rabbits. A few die, though no main characters do.
Positive Content
Hazel, Bigwig, Fiver and all of the heroes fight for what they believe in and try to better the world around them. They make sacrifices for others, one being maimed close to death for his captain. There is a society that appears to be loosely communist that is depicted as evil. The main characters do not promote others as better purely because of their strength, despite the fact that every other warren does.
Conclusion
Watership Down is a heartwarming story of refugees attempting to make a home for themselves against all odds. Richards Adams beautifully crafts a compelling and poignant story, while not compromising on character growth or world-building. In the end, all you can say is, "It was a good book." Some of the themes may be more mature though, so I recommend this for 12 and up.
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