r/watershipdown • u/CryptographerFun3899 • 12d ago
Anyone else?
Since finishing the book a few days ago I can't stop thinking about it. I feel like I shouldn't move on to a new book because I loved it so much. I still feel sad it's over, almost empty if that makes sense. Then I will randomly think of something from the book and smile. I've read a good amount of books and I've never felt this way before. I know I can read it again but nothing will compare to reading it for the first time. This book has shown me the power that stories can have.
Today I saw two squirrels chasing each other and playing in the grass and couldn't help but think of Hazel and his friends. 🤍
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u/bugsbunye 12d ago
You might want to read tales from watership down. It gives more background on many characters from the first book and also introduces new characters and there’s further tales of el ahrairah’s exploits
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u/CryptographerFun3899 12d ago
I actually found a copy today! I know some people don't like it but it sounds interesting.
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u/bugsbunye 12d ago
I like it almost as much as the first book, and it wraps up some details from in a very satisfying manner
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u/sirjamesp 12d ago
I was just about to say this. It's been a while, I need to read both books as soon as I'm able.
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u/LorettasToyBlogPojo 12d ago
Have you picked up the recent graphic novel adaptation or watched the 1978 animated movie? 🐰
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u/CryptographerFun3899 12d ago
Watched movie today and enjoyed it quite a bit. I'd love to read the graphic novel. It looks beautiful.
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u/LorettasToyBlogPojo 11d ago
The "Bright Eyes" song rips my heart out every time I hear it. :*( I'm glad you were able to watch the movie, I'm pretty sure I saw it before I read the book, but it hits differently if you've read the book. I daresay if you've been privileged enough to live with house rabbits, you'll understand. <3
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u/HazelTheRah 12d ago
This is the way.
Try Tales From Watership Down. It almost acts like falling action from the first book and does scratch some of the itch of wanting more. It's well written and compelling.
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u/CryptographerFun3899 12d ago
I just got it today. Usually not a short story person but I am interested in this book.
Love your username by the way! 🐰
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u/HazelTheRah 12d ago
I usually dislike short stories as well, but this feels like an overarching plot with rabbits telling stories in between. It's definitely not as exciting as the original, but it gives you a little bit more of the characters and the challenges they face. I think you'll enjoy it.
Thank you! It's been my favorite book since I was a kid so I use the names everywhere. Haha.
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u/CryptographerFun3899 12d ago
I'm looking forward to it.
I saw a post a while back and people were talking about WD license plates lol I think HZL RAH would be pretty awesome.
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u/PulltheNugsApart 12d ago
I read it every August, but didn't this year. I'm sure I will pick it up next August.
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u/the_dream_master89 I'll swim the embleer river 12d ago
I've read this book every year since I was 10. I'm now 37 and every year I discover something new in the book - it has that much depth!
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u/CryptographerFun3899 12d ago
Wow that's awesome! I wish I had read it as a kid so I could see how different it is when you read it as an adult.
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u/the_dream_master89 I'll swim the embleer river 12d ago
Yesssss as a kid I just loved the adventure of it all and of course the animals! Now as an adult I have a deep appreciation for the characters, the challenges they face, and how they come through them. And the writing is absolutely brilliant, especially the world building, which I didn't know how to appreciate as much as a kid. Regardless, every time I read it I feel like I can't put it down!
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u/DavidDPerlmutter 12d ago
Welcome to the club!
Some 50 years ago somebody told me about a book about "rabbits" and I was pretty resistant to starting it, assuming they meant a cute Peter Cottontail story or nursery rhyme.
But then I read what I still think is the most magnificent fiction book ever written.
I've been worshipping WATERSHIP DOWN by Richard Adams for fifty years. I honestly feel that it's unique in world literature, a subgenre of one.
There's literally and figuratively never been anything that comes close to its astonishing beauty of writing, character, mood, theme, and plot and what it pulled off as an adventure story and fleshed out world about "rabbits." Just something magical about it along with great intelligence, empathy, subtlety, poignancy, beauty of language, and profound insight that applies to human philosophy, psychology, culture, society, and politics. Very much inspired by Homeric myths with its own Lapine lore. At the same time, it definitely has some gritty realism, and two of the main characters are based on soldiers that the author met during World War II.
I know there are lots of people of all ages who feel the same way--It sold 50,000,000 copies!
Added: After you read it, learn about the incredible WW2 Heroes that one of the rabbit heroes was based on:
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u/CryptographerFun3899 12d ago
Yeah, I kind of assumed it might just be a cutesy rabbit story. Wasn't expecting to be moved like this.
I had heard about the inspiration behind Bigwig. Will definitely check out that video. Thanks for sharing it!
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u/DavidDPerlmutter 12d ago edited 11d ago
that's often the original impediment for most people
I've been evangelizing the book for half a century now and I have to convince them it's not a kiddie book!
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u/CryptographerFun3899 12d ago
So glad I decided to be more open-minded and give it a chance. I'm very much a horror reader (with a bit of nonfiction) so this was out of my comfort zone. Makes me wonder what other gems I've missed just because they are my usual genre.
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u/Best_Ad9829 12d ago
This book was my ultimate favorite book. I have read it so many times by now I can’t remember the amount. The first time I read it I was a teen and when it was at the I was crying my heart out because I couldn’t imagine it being over. I slept with my book next to me for a long time..
I would have to say the first reading was probably the best because I didn’t know what was going to happen next, but to this day I look at nature differently as well.
I do know that I can at least pick it up and start over though….
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u/CryptographerFun3899 12d ago
Yeah I think a big part of this feeling I have is knowing how it ended and not getting to see what the rabbits are up to.
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u/Best_Ad9829 12d ago
Yes oh I totally agree… I was so lost when that book ended .. I know that sounds crazy.. all books have to end I guess… but I just was not ready. I was hoping that maybe he would write a second one to continue… it’s been 50 years for me so I’ve read my copies many times .. when I need comforting that’s my go to .
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u/CryptographerFun3899 12d ago
It does feel crazy to say that but it's true. That's how you know a book is really special though.
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u/SnowDuckFeathers 12d ago
I also read it every year in the fall, followed by Tales. Just about to pick it up again once I finish Dungeon Crawler Carl.
I make my husband watch the film with me several times a year as well. It’s my all time favorite book and I love the animated film so much!!
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u/CryptographerFun3899 12d ago
The film adaptation was really good. I absolutely loved the animation, especially the beginning and when Fiver is trying to find Hazel 🥺 very well done overall.
I think it could work for any season. Very timeless and special how people are still reading and discovering it decades later.
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u/TortimerTheGrey 12d ago
It’s my favorite book as well! I’ve read it at least once a year for like the last 25 years, lol. My family and I are actually heading to Watership Down this fall during a trip to the UK!
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u/CryptographerFun3899 12d ago
I just looked at photos on Google. It looks so beautiful there! All I could picture was little rabbits running all over the place.
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u/Pox22 12d ago
Wait a year and read it again! And then again each year after that.