Tales from Watership Down: Watership Down, Book 2

A short review for those who might have the same question I had: How does this book compare to the original Watership Down?The answer is: it doesn't, because it's not a part 2 of any kind. It's a coda, one well worth reading.The first two parts of the book concern rabbit mythology and tales of El-ahrairah. These are fine reads, some are excellent.But the last part is about life in Watership Down immediately after the apparent death of Woundwort. These chapters are excellent, and would have made a fine appendix in the original book. Adams once again conjures up the trials of rabbit life in Hazel-rah's warren. It all leads up to the meeting of Hazel and Campion, the rabbit who asked Woundwort if he should kill Hazel. The result is beautiful and marvelous and extraordinary - everything a reader could hope for.So, yes buy the book once you'e finished the original.Four stars only because I wished part 3 would go on for hundreds of pages more.

Not as good as book one. I prefer a full story like the second half. Not a fan of the first part.

i read this book a long time ago it was like visiting an old friend

This book is absolutely captivating. If you have not read the original story of Watership Down, I advise you do before reading this book. This is a compilation of stories ranging from the mysterious and ever so loved El-Ahrairah to stories straight from the rabbits themselves and so on. Coltsfoot’s story of the ghost had me so entranced I found myself in the story itself. As for the bad reviews this book gets, I encourage you to dive into the works of Richard Adams. The man was a genius when it came to story telling and his books are magical. Read Watership Down before this so you don’t find yourself confused, and come to your own conclusions.

Anyone who has read Watership Down and found it delightful (as I did) will probably enjoy this text as well. However, note it is not a "sequel" as is sometimes said. Four or five stories of the legendary El-ahrairah (the rabbits' Robin Hood) open the book, and then more chapters that do seem to be a continuation of the original book follow. It has Bigwig, Hazel, Fiver and most of the rest of the Watership warren rabbits. But it is nothing like the full-blown epic adventure of the original. The does play a major part in the action in this continuation, even having Hyzenthlay as "Chief Rabbit," and that may be the most meaningful improvement.

I purchased this book as a gift, but would be embarassed to present it. The hardcover "library binding" of this edition of Tales from Watership Down (ISBN 0-613-37671-4) is of the worst quality. It is a paperback book poorly disguised as hardbound by the addition of cardboard reinforcements to the cover. The text seems to be printed on public washroom paper towels pasted together. The newspaper critcal reviews occupy a page in the front and the outside back cover. There is not just a mention of, but full page advertising for Watership Down inside the back of the book. There is no dust jacket, but then what here is worthy of protection? The pleasure of holding a hardbound volume cannot be found in this edition.

Five stars for this book! A triumph on many levels.A pleasure to read again and again. Thank you Mr. Adams!I have been reading this book for years, and I have to say: it gets better every time I read it again.I am so very glad that Richard Adams decided to publish additionalstories about the beloved characters from Watership Down.The stories are at once entertaining, and some of them help giveclosure to events touched on in the original story.At any rate, it is worth a read (or two) simply to reminisce,and re-visit old friends like Hazel, Bigwig, and Fiver.If you enjoyed Watership Down at all, you will certainly enjoy thestories in this book. Now, kindly stop enjoying my review, andbegin enjoying this wonderful offering from Mr. Adams, and ourfuzzy friends...The Rabbits!

This was a good follow up to Watership Down. It goes deeper into the mythology and stories that made Watership Down truly unique. That being said, it does feel a little forced at times. Does that mean I stopped reading it, absolutely not. I could see this being used in conjunction with Watership Down to truly go deep into the story.

I read this book as a child and much later saw the film. It is beautiful, moving and timeless. The author's incredible love and respect for every aspect of Nature comes through with every sentence. Reading this book, you can often visualise the scenes being described. Since buying it I have read it three times, each time getting the same amount of enjoyment whilst discovering fascinating details I had missed earlier. A timeless classic. Can not recommend highly enough. Publication format easy to read and enjoyable

Some lovely stuff in here. And some that wasn't so well done as the original book. A collection of short stories rather than a fully coherent narrative.One thing that stuck out as glaringly not as good, was the story of Stonecrop, the escaped rabbit who smelled of man. It's handwaved that Watership Down has already managed to assimilate three hutch rabbits, bred in captivity - so why should they have such trouble with him (who was born to a wild mother), and why didn't Clover and Haystack argue on his behalf? And the ending is a bit of a deus-ex-machina too, although all ends up well.The other stories are mostly better - whether the El-ahrairah stories (mostly told by Dandelion, with a couple by Bluebell) or the stories of how the Watership rabbits fared in the following couple of years, including the rapprochment with Campion's reformed Efrafa, the founding of Groundsel's new warren, Hyzenthlay as a co-chief with Hazel, and some interesting outsiders. Sadly the fear of Man by wildlife, running through several of the stories, is as well-founded as ever, and one thinks the author may be growing increasingly cynical - and who is to say that we do not deserve it?

Occasionally go back to read this so having an easy digital copy was a nobrainer

Having reread the book it is interesting to read more of some of the characters but this is not a sequel, just extra padding. Not a cracking good read but a collection of short stories about El-ahrairah, Hazel, Hyzanthlay etc. Largely consistent with the original although the one re the rabbit that smelt of mankind made me wonder how the hutch rabbits were assimilated so easily in the main book.

A remembrance of living in the English countryside nearly seventy years ago and exploring all the simple things and pleasant things around in the fields, the woods, and the hedges in the days when an eight years old could safely fetch the cows along the main road to be milked at six o'clock in the morning without the slightest risk from traffic or strangers.