Title: Watership Down
Genre: Novel
Year: 1972
Pages: 400
Origin: read on the Kindle
Nod Rating: 4 nods out of 5
Watership Down is about a small group of rabbits who - on
hearing the foreboding tale of their warren’s doom by man – decide to strike
out and establish a new home for themselves. They are led by the fearless
Hazel, his soothsaying brother Fiver, and the strength of Bigwig. On their
travels they come against many foes and make new allies, all before
establishing a new and thriving warren on the hill of Watership Down. This all
harks back to epic themes of the past, particularly other classical fictional
journeys, notably that of Virgil’s Aeneid.
Moreover, there are other over-arching themes at work in the
novel. This group of rabbits – more akin to a band of brothers – stick it out
through thick and thin. In their attempts to survive they make friends and
allies with other animals, memorably mice and a vociferous seagull. These
allies prove vital in the rabbits’ attempts to survive the onslaught of the
evil and vicious General Woundwort at the novel’s climax. In creating this
brotherhood of animals, Adams is promoting the
idea of friendship to his audience. Considering the period in which this was
written – in the aftermath of the Second World War and during the Cold War – such
a theme is understandable.
Furthermore, Adams points
to the wickedness of the “progress” of industrialisation. The rabbits seek
shelter from their destroyed warren (ruined in order to build a brand new
housing estate), whilst the humans of the novel attempt to kill them whenever
they are sighted. As one of the leaders – Holly – notes: ‘Men will never rest
till they’ve spoiled the earth and destroyed the animals.’
In terms of narrative, both book and animated film are
similar. Where the novel really comes into its own is in its immersion within
the Lapine culture of the rabbits. Mythical folk tales are interspersed between
the unfolding narrative action, with many of them centred on the legendary
leader of all rabbits: El-ahrairah. Frith, the god who created the world, tells
El-ahrairah:
‘Your people cannot rule the world, for I will not have it so. All the world will be your enemy, Prince with a Thousand Enemies, and whenever they catch you, they will kill you. But first they must catch you, digger, listener, runner, prince with the swift warning. Be cunning and full of tricks and your people shall never be destroyed.’
As such, the rabbits value a good trick above anything else;
all of which makes Hazel’s cunning mind a valuable and praiseworthy asset
during their adventure. Various tales are told throughout the novel, most of
which attempt to connect to the narrative in a moralistic manner. However, the
abundance of them can become tiresome, especially when the reader is determined
to stick with these rabbits throughout their quest. But, as Adams
points out, the rabbits are incredibly fond of storytelling: a rabbit can no
more refuse to tell a story than an Irishman can refuse to fight’. For the
reader more inclined to plunge into this folk-culture, there is a sequel (of
sorts) written by Adams many years later
(Tales From Watership Down).
The novel is enjoyable: both as the reading of the journey
of the rabbits (particularly the climatic battle with Woundwort’s army), as
well as in Adam’s clear enjoyment in creating an entire culture. The reader has
the benefit of reading both in this book. The animated film may be the clear
winner in terms of recognition; the Worm suspects that Adams ’
book will survive the distance of posterity.
