Despite the fact that it's often a hard sell at first (what teenager wouldn't cringe at the thought of 400-plus pages of talking rabbits?), Richard Adams' bunny-centric epic rarely fails to win the love and respect of anyone who reads it, regardless of age. Like most great novels, Watership Down is a rich story that can be read (and reread) on many different levels. The book is often praised as an allegory, with its analogues between human and rabbit culture (a fact sometimes used to goad skeptical teens, who resent the challenge that they won't "get" it, into reading it), but it's equally praiseworthy as just a corking good adventure.

The story follows a warren of Berkshire rabbits fleeing the destruction of their home by a land developer. As they search for a safe haven, skirting danger at every turn, we become acquainted with the band and its compelling culture and mythos. Adams has crafted a touching, involving world in the dirt and scrub of the English countryside, complete with its own folk history and language (the book comes with a "lapine" glossary, a guide to rabbitese). As much about freedom, ethics and human nature as it is about a bunch of bunnies looking for a warm hidey-hole and some mates, Watership Down will continue to make the transition from classroom desk to bedside table for many generations to come. --Paul Hughes

The best book about rabbits that I know!, 16 Aug 2008
This is a superb book. I enjoyed it mainly as a brilliant adventure story, but also for the great characters. It's superior to the film, as it's more even in its coverage, wheareas the film skips over the latter half and ends up being a bit rushed and confused.

In terms of enjoyment, I'd rate this a 5, but I'm not convinced it works at a deeper level, and after all it's only a story (albiet a great one) about a bunch of rabbits - so I'm going to rate it a 4. Definitely recommended, and certainly not just for children.

The ending is as moving as in the film.

You won't look at rabbits the same way again after reading this!, 07 Aug 2008
This is obviously not just a book for children because of how it's written, though it's not too complicated. The characters are fantastic and have great personalities and the overall story is just...wonderful! I love the Lapine tales of El-Ehrairah too, and the Lapine words and sentences make it a very interesting read.

One thing is for sure though, I'm never going to look at rabbits the same way again!

Great novel for all, 20 Apr 2008
I have little else to add to what other reviewers have said, but I'd like it to be known that the book is MUCH better than the film. It has many more layers, much greater depth of characterisation and a lot more detail.
The author's writing style is perfect for the yarn he spins, and it's difficult to see how it could be improved upon. Some might find the quotations at the top of the chapters a little pretentious I suppose.
Highly recommended for anyone who likes a really good book. Suitable for perhaps eleven and above.

A gripping and unforgettable epic, 04 Apr 2008
Notwithstanding a slightly weak, watered down animated film version, this novel has for a long time held a rightful place in the hall of fame of fantasy literature. Reportedly honed from Adams' impromptu storytelling on long car journeys with his children, the unforgettable story of Hazel and his friends and their escape from the culling hands of men to the "promised land" of Watership Down never falters, and is engaging from the very first page. Along the way, our heroes meet a vast array of fellow creatures, some friendly, some dangerous, and high drama is always around the corner.

But it is the rich fabric with which this story is woven together that makes it so memorable and gripping. Adams has created an entire society and culture surrounding his characters, chronicling their habits, folklore, even language in staggering detail. The back-stories and tales told by the rabbits to each other are enough to divert from the main plot entirely at times, and are mini-masterpieces in themselves. Obviously this is the work of an extraordinarily imaginative talent, leaving the reader, when the book is closed for the last time, aching for just one more chapter, one more page, before we have to say goodbye to the colourful characters whose long and eventful journey we've shared.

If a book about rabbits seems like a bad idea, it's interesting to note that Adams' manuscript was rejected by almost every major publisher before finally making it to the bookstands. Don't make the same mistake. This is a definate must-read.

By Frith this is a good book!, 15 Oct 2007
'Watership Down' is the exciting and emotional tale where a group of rabbits are forced to leave their Sandleford homes when Fiver, who often sees visions of the future, tells them that their warren is in danger from humans. The group is then lead by Hazel and Bigwig as they make their way through the fields of Hampshire as they come face to face with danger from other animals such as rats, foxes, cats, dogs and owls as well as humans and cars. As the story goes on Hazel and the group of rabbits try to rescue some rabbits from a farm; help a bird, who in turn then helps them; join another warren of rabbits and also try to steal does from a much bigger and powerful warren known as Efrafa, leading to a shocking and brilliant finalle. Along the way tales are told of El-ahrairah (prince of a thousand enemies), which gives more insight into the beliefs of the rabbits in their own world.

As someone who usually mainly reads crime fiction and horror (and have also never seen the movie adaption), I never thought that I'd enjoy a book about a bunch of rabbits but after a strong recommendation from my girlfriend, I gave this a try and once I started it I couldn't put it down. Immediately I fell in love with Hazel, Fiver, Bigwig, Pipkin, Dandelion, Speedwell, Blackberry, Silver, Buckthorn, Holly, Bluebell and Strawberry. Each and everyone of them has their individual characteristics and I found that I actually cared quite a lot what happened to them, and got quite emotional at certain points in the story.

Although this dubbed a children's novel, I found it to be quite complex at times and also quite gruesome and horrifying in parts, which I could imagine may be quite disturbing for younger readers. Overall though this is a brilliant read that took me no time at all to get through it's 480 pages and is one that I'll definitely read again. Without a doubt this is a classic that everyone should give a go, even if you think that a book about rabbits wouldn't be your kind of thing.

The Salmon of Doubt is the late Douglas Adams' third comic novel about "holistic detective" Dirk Gently. Ten tantalising chapters of this unfinished project are padded to book size with about 50 short Adams pieces, mostly non-fiction.

Additional material includes introductions by Stephen Fry and editor Peter Guzzardi (who stitched together the Salmon fragment from disk drafts), The Guardian's Adams biography, Richard Dawkins' farewell piece, and the order of the memorial service.

The non-fiction by the man himself ranges from perhaps a dozen meaty articles and speeches to brief squibs, interview/questionnaire answers and tiny asides like:

We are stuck with technology when what we really want is just stuff that works. How do you recognise something that is still technology? A good clue is if it comes with a manual.

There are enjoyable pieces on computers (especially), atheism, dogs, manta rays on the Great Barrier Reef, the Save the Rhino stunt climb, and PG Wodehouse. Much of the rest is ephemeral; you can't help reflecting that Adams himself never chose to collect all this lightweight newspaper work.

Lovers of his fiction will welcome the Hitch-Hiker-related short stories "The Private Life of Genghis Khan" and "Young Zaphod Plays It Safe", despite the latter's dreadfully dated political punch line.

What of The Salmon of Doubt itself, a quarter of this book? There's a glimpse of a far-future estate agent's utopia, a woman asking Dirk Gently to investigate a cat that's literally only half there (his puzzling reluctance to take the case may echo Adams' own feelings about the novel), Gently's capricious trip to America in response to an unknown client's total lack of instructions, the tragic death of a rhino as perceived by the rhino... Many teasing questions; we'll never know the answers.

Overall it's a must-have for devoted Adams fans and completists, a likely disappointment (though with pleasant exceptions) for new readers. --David Langford

The best book about rabbits that I know!, 16 Aug 2008
This is a superb book. I enjoyed it mainly as a brilliant adventure story, but also for the great characters. It's superior to the film, as it's more even in its coverage, wheareas the film skips over the latter half and ends up being a bit rushed and confused.

In terms of enjoyment, I'd rate this a 5, but I'm not convinced it works at a deeper level, and after all it's only a story (albiet a great one) about a bunch of rabbits - so I'm going to rate it a 4. Definitely recommended, and certainly not just for children.

The ending is as moving as in the film.

You won't look at rabbits the same way again after reading this!, 07 Aug 2008
This is obviously not just a book for children because of how it's written, though it's not too complicated. The characters are fantastic and have great personalities and the overall story is just...wonderful! I love the Lapine tales of El-Ehrairah too, and the Lapine words and sentences make it a very interesting read.

One thing is for sure though, I'm never going to look at rabbits the same way again!

Great novel for all, 20 Apr 2008
I have little else to add to what other reviewers have said, but I'd like it to be known that the book is MUCH better than the film. It has many more layers, much greater depth of characterisation and a lot more detail.
The author's writing style is perfect for the yarn he spins, and it's difficult to see how it could be improved upon. Some might find the quotations at the top of the chapters a little pretentious I suppose.
Highly recommended for anyone who likes a really good book. Suitable for perhaps eleven and above.

A gripping and unforgettable epic, 04 Apr 2008
Notwithstanding a slightly weak, watered down animated film version, this novel has for a long time held a rightful place in the hall of fame of fantasy literature. Reportedly honed from Adams' impromptu storytelling on long car journeys with his children, the unforgettable story of Hazel and his friends and their escape from the culling hands of men to the "promised land" of Watership Down never falters, and is engaging from the very first page. Along the way, our heroes meet a vast array of fellow creatures, some friendly, some dangerous, and high drama is always around the corner.

But it is the rich fabric with which this story is woven together that makes it so memorable and gripping. Adams has created an entire society and culture surrounding his characters, chronicling their habits, folklore, even language in staggering detail. The back-stories and tales told by the rabbits to each other are enough to divert from the main plot entirely at times, and are mini-masterpieces in themselves. Obviously this is the work of an extraordinarily imaginative talent, leaving the reader, when the book is closed for the last time, aching for just one more chapter, one more page, before we have to say goodbye to the colourful characters whose long and eventful journey we've shared.

If a book about rabbits seems like a bad idea, it's interesting to note that Adams' manuscript was rejected by almost every major publisher before finally making it to the bookstands. Don't make the same mistake. This is a definate must-read.

By Frith this is a good book!, 15 Oct 2007
'Watership Down' is the exciting and emotional tale where a group of rabbits are forced to leave their Sandleford homes when Fiver, who often sees visions of the future, tells them that their warren is in danger from humans. The group is then lead by Hazel and Bigwig as they make their way through the fields of Hampshire as they come face to face with danger from other animals such as rats, foxes, cats, dogs and owls as well as humans and cars. As the story goes on Hazel and the group of rabbits try to rescue some rabbits from a farm; help a bird, who in turn then helps them; join another warren of rabbits and also try to steal does from a much bigger and powerful warren known as Efrafa, leading to a shocking and brilliant finalle. Along the way tales are told of El-ahrairah (prince of a thousand enemies), which gives more insight into the beliefs of the rabbits in their own world.

As someone who usually mainly reads crime fiction and horror (and have also never seen the movie adaption), I never thought that I'd enjoy a book about a bunch of rabbits but after a strong recommendation from my girlfriend, I gave this a try and once I started it I couldn't put it down. Immediately I fell in love with Hazel, Fiver, Bigwig, Pipkin, Dandelion, Speedwell, Blackberry, Silver, Buckthorn, Holly, Bluebell and Strawberry. Each and everyone of them has their individual characteristics and I found that I actually cared quite a lot what happened to them, and got quite emotional at certain points in the story.

Although this dubbed a children's novel, I found it to be quite complex at times and also quite gruesome and horrifying in parts, which I could imagine may be quite disturbing for younger readers. Overall though this is a brilliant read that took me no time at all to get through it's 480 pages and is one that I'll definitely read again. Without a doubt this is a classic that everyone should give a go, even if you think that a book about rabbits wouldn't be your kind of thing.

The Benefit of Doubt., 30 Jul 2008
`The Salmon of Doubt' is a posthumously published collection of words put into a fantastic collection of arrays by Douglas Adams whom had previously been assembling words in a very pleasing manner in the various incarnations of `The Hitch Hikers Guide to the Galaxy' and the `Dirk Gently' novels.

The book contains tributes from comic actor and writer Stephen Fry, Nicholas Wroe, scientist and writer Richard Dawkins and the editor of this collection, Peter Guzzardi. All of which give some insight into Douglas but nothing like the insight Douglas gives of himself in the collection of articles, drafts of speeches and letters which have been prised from the hard drive of Douglas' beloved Apple Mac.

The pieces have been assembled into three sections, Life, The Universe and Everything but the themes don't really add anything to the writing of a man whom could have paraphrased the phone book in a manner that would leave us weeping with laughter.
The best part of the book is the quarter given over to `The Salmon of Doubt' an abandoned rather than incomplete Dirk Gently novel. Adams had apparently decided that the ideas he was exploring did not suit Dirk Gently and was considering rewriting the piece as a Hitch Hikers novel.

Although it would have possibly being a great novel as Adams then saw it I have to say that I enjoyed reading what he had actually written and am only disappointed that I will never get to marvel at the clever conclusion that not only tied up all the loose ends I'd noticed but ten or twelve others I wouldn't have noticed until rereading the book for the nth time. The beauty of Douglas Adams' Dirk Gently books was that every time you reread them you found something new which you hadn't noticed before.


A look into an awesome mind, 26 Jun 2008
If you have read every Douglas Adams book but still don't feel close enough to the great man himself, this is the book for you. You can see how the master thinks, how his everyday musings were written with the same wit and wisdom as his greatest works of fiction and read a wonderfull work in progress. As he says of 'Sunset at Blandings' (unfinished due to the author's death) by PG Wodehouse, you can see in DNA's first Chapters of his new Dirk Gently novel, the craftsman at work, the sentences are unpolished, the work has not even been through its first proof-read and it is all the more wonderful because of this. This book is fact, fiction and autobiography all rolled into one. Read it. It will blow your mind.

Be aware of what you're getting, 07 May 2008
For those who know Douglas Adams' work, chances are you are aware that The Salmon of Doubt is the last of Adams' work before his untimely death and is incomplete. Thus for those with an interest in Adams' work this is your last insight into what would have been the third book in his Dirk Gently series. Or perhaps the sixth book in the Hitchhikers series? Who knows what this may have ended up as.

This book will give you your last Adams' fix but be aware. Although the book is listed as 336 pages, the actual in-progress novel The Salmon of Doubt is tucked away at the very end of the book and constitutes only a small portion of the entire book. The majority of the content is a compendium of Adams' work ranging from speeches to columns to random notes. It's a chance to see a little more of Douglas Adams for those who are fans, but for those who just bought it for the novel you may feel a bit ripped off.

Don't um, don't ah, just buy and read., 30 Apr 2008
This lunchtime I finished reading The Salmon Of Doubt, the first work of Douglas's I've read since he died all those years ago. I've not really put off reading it, books often stay in my teetering/tottering piles books for *years* before passing the rubicon of my having read them and getting filed on the bookshelves/book-chest-of-drawers like so many hunting trophies, but I have to say that I didn't relish the prospect of reading a book that I'd never get to see finished. I was wrong: this is possibly my favourite of all his books, not because of the Dirk Gently novel-in-progress, but because it's a treasury of Douglas writing as-himself about things that interest or annoy him. That makes it feel more personal than any other work of fiction, and the Salmon chapters are added on the end of the book like coffee and mints after an excellent meal, rather than presented as a main course where their unfinished state would have disappointed. This book is an ideal tribute to a wonderful man.

A look into the personality of DNA, + a weird story, 11 Aug 2007
I got this book from my step-brother, and although ithe story in it was unfinished and a little confusing, the short stories and intos that Douglas Adams had written through the many years of his writing career were entertaining and made me wish i'd started reading his books before. If you're a DNA fan then you should definitly get this

The best book about rabbits that I know!, 16 Aug 2008
This is a superb book. I enjoyed it mainly as a brilliant adventure story, but also for the great characters. It's superior to the film, as it's more even in its coverage, wheareas the film skips over the latter half and ends up being a bit rushed and confused.

In terms of enjoyment, I'd rate this a 5, but I'm not convinced it works at a deeper level, and after all it's only a story (albiet a great one) about a bunch of rabbits - so I'm going to rate it a 4. Definitely recommended, and certainly not just for children.

The ending is as moving as in the film.

You won't look at rabbits the same way again after reading this!, 07 Aug 2008
This is obviously not just a book for children because of how it's written, though it's not too complicated. The characters are fantastic and have great personalities and the overall story is just...wonderful! I love the Lapine tales of El-Ehrairah too, and the Lapine words and sentences make it a very interesting read.

One thing is for sure though, I'm never going to look at rabbits the same way again!

Great novel for all, 20 Apr 2008
I have little else to add to what other reviewers have said, but I'd like it to be known that the book is MUCH better than the film. It has many more layers, much greater depth of characterisation and a lot more detail.
The author's writing style is perfect for the yarn he spins, and it's difficult to see how it could be improved upon. Some might find the quotations at the top of the chapters a little pretentious I suppose.
Highly recommended for anyone who likes a really good book. Suitable for perhaps eleven and above.

A gripping and unforgettable epic, 04 Apr 2008
Notwithstanding a slightly weak, watered down animated film version, this novel has for a long time held a rightful place in the hall of fame of fantasy literature. Reportedly honed from Adams' impromptu storytelling on long car journeys with his children, the unforgettable story of Hazel and his friends and their escape from the culling hands of men to the "promised land" of Watership Down never falters, and is engaging from the very first page. Along the way, our heroes meet a vast array of fellow creatures, some friendly, some dangerous, and high drama is always around the corner.

But it is the rich fabric with which this story is woven together that makes it so memorable and gripping. Adams has created an entire society and culture surrounding his characters, chronicling their habits, folklore, even language in staggering detail. The back-stories and tales told by the rabbits to each other are enough to divert from the main plot entirely at times, and are mini-masterpieces in themselves. Obviously this is the work of an extraordinarily imaginative talent, leaving the reader, when the book is closed for the last time, aching for just one more chapter, one more page, before we have to say goodbye to the colourful characters whose long and eventful journey we've shared.

If a book about rabbits seems like a bad idea, it's interesting to note that Adams' manuscript was rejected by almost every major publisher before finally making it to the bookstands. Don't make the same mistake. This is a definate must-read.

By Frith this is a good book!, 15 Oct 2007
'Watership Down' is the exciting and emotional tale where a group of rabbits are forced to leave their Sandleford homes when Fiver, who often sees visions of the future, tells them that their warren is in danger from humans. The group is then lead by Hazel and Bigwig as they make their way through the fields of Hampshire as they come face to face with danger from other animals such as rats, foxes, cats, dogs and owls as well as humans and cars. As the story goes on Hazel and the group of rabbits try to rescue some rabbits from a farm; help a bird, who in turn then helps them; join another warren of rabbits and also try to steal does from a much bigger and powerful warren known as Efrafa, leading to a shocking and brilliant finalle. Along the way tales are told of El-ahrairah (prince of a thousand enemies), which gives more insight into the beliefs of the rabbits in their own world.

As someone who usually mainly reads crime fiction and horror (and have also never seen the movie adaption), I never thought that I'd enjoy a book about a bunch of rabbits but after a strong recommendation from my girlfriend, I gave this a try and once I started it I couldn't put it down. Immediately I fell in love with Hazel, Fiver, Bigwig, Pipkin, Dandelion, Speedwell, Blackberry, Silver, Buckthorn, Holly, Bluebell and Strawberry. Each and everyone of them has their individual characteristics and I found that I actually cared quite a lot what happened to them, and got quite emotional at certain points in the story.

Although this dubbed a children's novel, I found it to be quite complex at times and also quite gruesome and horrifying in parts, which I could imagine may be quite disturbing for younger readers. Overall though this is a brilliant read that took me no time at all to get through it's 480 pages and is one that I'll definitely read again. Without a doubt this is a classic that everyone should give a go, even if you think that a book about rabbits wouldn't be your kind of thing.

The Benefit of Doubt., 30 Jul 2008
`The Salmon of Doubt' is a posthumously published collection of words put into a fantastic collection of arrays by Douglas Adams whom had previously been assembling words in a very pleasing manner in the various incarnations of `The Hitch Hikers Guide to the Galaxy' and the `Dirk Gently' novels.

The book contains tributes from comic actor and writer Stephen Fry, Nicholas Wroe, scientist and writer Richard Dawkins and the editor of this collection, Peter Guzzardi. All of which give some insight into Douglas but nothing like the insight Douglas gives of himself in the collection of articles, drafts of speeches and letters which have been prised from the hard drive of Douglas' beloved Apple Mac.

The pieces have been assembled into three sections, Life, The Universe and Everything but the themes don't really add anything to the writing of a man whom could have paraphrased the phone book in a manner that would leave us weeping with laughter.
The best part of the book is the quarter given over to `The Salmon of Doubt' an abandoned rather than incomplete Dirk Gently novel. Adams had apparently decided that the ideas he was exploring did not suit Dirk Gently and was considering rewriting the piece as a Hitch Hikers novel.

Although it would have possibly being a great novel as Adams then saw it I have to say that I enjoyed reading what he had actually written and am only disappointed that I will never get to marvel at the clever conclusion that not only tied up all the loose ends I'd noticed but ten or twelve others I wouldn't have noticed until rereading the book for the nth time. The beauty of Douglas Adams' Dirk Gently books was that every time you reread them you found something new which you hadn't noticed before.


A look into an awesome mind, 26 Jun 2008
If you have read every Douglas Adams book but still don't feel close enough to the great man himself, this is the book for you. You can see how the master thinks, how his everyday musings were written with the same wit and wisdom as his greatest works of fiction and read a wonderfull work in progress. As he says of 'Sunset at Blandings' (unfinished due to the author's death) by PG Wodehouse, you can see in DNA's first Chapters of his new Dirk Gently novel, the craftsman at work, the sentences are unpolished, the work has not even been through its first proof-read and it is all the more wonderful because of this. This book is fact, fiction and autobiography all rolled into one. Read it. It will blow your mind.

Be aware of what you're getting, 07 May 2008
For those who know Douglas Adams' work, chances are you are aware that The Salmon of Doubt is the last of Adams' work before his untimely death and is incomplete. Thus for those with an interest in Adams' work this is your last insight into what would have been the third book in his Dirk Gently series. Or perhaps the sixth book in the Hitchhikers series? Who knows what this may have ended up as.

This book will give you your last Adams' fix but be aware. Although the book is listed as 336 pages, the actual in-progress novel The Salmon of Doubt is tucked away at the very end of the book and constitutes only a small portion of the entire book. The majority of the content is a compendium of Adams' work ranging from speeches to columns to random notes. It's a chance to see a little more of Douglas Adams for those who are fans, but for those who just bought it for the novel you may feel a bit ripped off.

Don't um, don't ah, just buy and read., 30 Apr 2008
This lunchtime I finished reading The Salmon Of Doubt, the first work of Douglas's I've read since he died all those years ago. I've not really put off reading it, books often stay in my teetering/tottering piles books for *years* before passing the rubicon of my having read them and getting filed on the bookshelves/book-chest-of-drawers like so many hunting trophies, but I have to say that I didn't relish the prospect of reading a book that I'd never get to see finished. I was wrong: this is possibly my favourite of all his books, not because of the Dirk Gently novel-in-progress, but because it's a treasury of Douglas writing as-himself about things that interest or annoy him. That makes it feel more personal than any other work of fiction, and the Salmon chapters are added on the end of the book like coffee and mints after an excellent meal, rather than presented as a main course where their unfinished state would have disappointed. This book is an ideal tribute to a wonderful man.

A look into the personality of DNA, + a weird story, 11 Aug 2007
I got this book from my step-brother, and although ithe story in it was unfinished and a little confusing, the short stories and intos that Douglas Adams had written through the many years of his writing career were entertaining and made me wish i'd started reading his books before. If you're a DNA fan then you should definitly get this

The Best Stand Alone Superman Graphic Novel for Ages - read on to find out why!, 08 Oct 2008
This is a graphic novel that has kind of slipped underneath the radar; I have seen it advertised but have always had other purchases to make. And now i regret that i left it so long!
The main selling point of this graphic novel is the fact that Richard Donner is one of the writers on this project, and he is the director of the original Superman: The Movie - the man who got the Man of Steel so spot on for the silver screen. For those of you who haven't seen Superman II : The Donner Cut, you really need to buy it this very minute and watch it. His cut of the film that he was never allowed to finish is utterly awesome, despite the fact that he has had to edit in unfinished scenes, and even screen tests in to it! Why am i prattling on about Richard Donner's films when i am supposed to be reviewing this graphic novel. Well, that it is simple ; this man captures everything 'Superman' perfectly. His storylines, his humour, the way Superman and Clark Kent were portrayed and of course, choosing the unknown Christopher Reeve to play the lead role are all proof that he understands the mythos of Superman, his place in the world, his origins etc.....
And so onto the graphic novel. This is a story that deals with another last son of Krypton - a Kryptonian survivor who arrives in Metropolis when Superman is the great hero of the city. There is only one problem, he has been followed from the Phantom Zone by General Zod, Ursa and Non. What follows is mayhem in Metropolis in which Lex Luthor is enlisted to help rid the Kryptonian criminals from the world.
That is a really brief summary of the plot, and i don't want to spoil all the hidden revelations, surprises and twists but considering this is a one volume story, there is lots packed into it!Some of the more recent graphic novels have been part of a series and they have lost their punch and impact for it. The Last Son does not suffer from this at all. It has a great idea for a storyline and really runs with it and produces all the nice touches from the original and best Superman film. It's all here for you - Jor-El, the Fortress of Solitude, the Phantom Zone, funny interplay with Perry White and Jimmy, a tough but caring Lois Lane (with more drive akin to the Margot Kidder incarnation than the Kate Bosworth portrayal in Superman Returns), a nice scene with Jonathan and Martha Kent etc... The pace is pretty hectic, and you can tell it has been edited well to keep you interested, but more important than that; wanting more!
The big thing for me is that Superman is just like the Reeve version of the Man of Steel. It is very much paying homage to Reeve - the Kryptonian boy even gets called Christopher Kent, which is a really nice touch.
As you can tell, i loved this from the very start to the very end and i can really imagine this being made as a film and with there being talk of a Superman reboot at Warner Brothers in Hollywood, they could do a lot worse than looking at this graphic novel. But, maybe the solution to the silver screen dilemma could be solved by giving Richard Donner the chance to be the director again. Think about it - he is the only director to have a classic Superman film that everyone recognises from the opening credits, and music, the best Superman (Christopher Reeve), the famous helicopter rescue and so much more!
This graphic novel perfectly catches the spirit of the first Richard Donner Superman film and really surprised me by how much i loved it. With a nice introduction by Marc McLure (the Jimmy Olsen from the Reeve films) this graphic novel is a perfect addition to a collection for any fan of the films, and Superman, the comic book character.

Buy this as soon as you can and you really won't regret it! Utterly brilliant!

The best book about rabbits that I know!, 16 Aug 2008
This is a superb book. I enjoyed it mainly as a brilliant adventure story, but also for the great characters. It's superior to the film, as it's more even in its coverage, wheareas the film skips over the latter half and ends up being a bit rushed and confused.

In terms of enjoyment, I'd rate this a 5, but I'm not convinced it works at a deeper level, and after all it's only a story (albiet a great one) about a bunch of rabbits - so I'm going to rate it a 4. Definitely recommended, and certainly not just for children.

The ending is as moving as in the film.

You won't look at rabbits the same way again after reading this!, 07 Aug 2008
This is obviously not just a book for children because of how it's written, though it's not too complicated. The characters are fantastic and have great personalities and the overall story is just...wonderful! I love the Lapine tales of El-Ehrairah too, and the Lapine words and sentences make it a very interesting read.

One thing is for sure though, I'm never going to look at rabbits the same way again!

Great novel for all, 20 Apr 2008
I have little else to add to what other reviewers have said, but I'd like it to be known that the book is MUCH better than the film. It has many more layers, much greater depth of characterisation and a lot more detail.
The author's writing style is perfect for the yarn he spins, and it's difficult to see how it could be improved upon. Some might find the quotations at the top of the chapters a little pretentious I suppose.
Highly recommended for anyone who likes a really good book. Suitable for perhaps eleven and above.

A gripping and unforgettable epic, 04 Apr 2008
Notwithstanding a slightly weak, watered down animated film version, this novel has for a long time held a rightful place in the hall of fame of fantasy literature. Reportedly honed from Adams' impromptu storytelling on long car journeys with his children, the unforgettable story of Hazel and his friends and their escape from the culling hands of men to the "promised land" of Watership Down never falters, and is engaging from the very first page. Along the way, our heroes meet a vast array of fellow creatures, some friendly, some dangerous, and high drama is always around the corner.

But it is the rich fabric with which this story is woven together that makes it so memorable and gripping. Adams has created an entire society and culture surrounding his characters, chronicling their habits, folklore, even language in staggering detail. The back-stories and tales told by the rabbits to each other are enough to divert from the main plot entirely at times, and are mini-masterpieces in themselves. Obviously this is the work of an extraordinarily imaginative talent, leaving the reader, when the book is closed for the last time, aching for just one more chapter, one more page, before we have to say goodbye to the colourful characters whose long and eventful journey we've shared.

If a book about rabbits seems like a bad idea, it's interesting to note that Adams' manuscript was rejected by almost every major publisher before finally making it to the bookstands. Don't make the same mistake. This is a definate must-read.

By Frith this is a good book!, 15 Oct 2007
'Watership Down' is the exciting and emotional tale where a group of rabbits are forced to leave their Sandleford homes when Fiver, who often sees visions of the future, tells them that their warren is in danger from humans. The group is then lead by Hazel and Bigwig as they make their way through the fields of Hampshire as they come face to face with danger from other animals such as rats, foxes, cats, dogs and owls as well as humans and cars. As the story goes on Hazel and the group of rabbits try to rescue some rabbits from a farm; help a bird, who in turn then helps them; join another warren of rabbits and also try to steal does from a much bigger and powerful warren known as Efrafa, leading to a shocking and brilliant finalle. Along the way tales are told of El-ahrairah (prince of a thousand enemies), which gives more insight into the beliefs of the rabbits in their own world.

As someone who usually mainly reads crime fiction and horror (and have also never seen the movie adaption), I never thought that I'd enjoy a book about a bunch of rabbits but after a strong recommendation from my girlfriend, I gave this a try and once I started it I couldn't put it down. Immediately I fell in love with Hazel, Fiver, Bigwig, Pipkin, Dandelion, Speedwell, Blackberry, Silver, Buckthorn, Holly, Bluebell and Strawberry. Each and everyone of them has their individual characteristics and I found that I actually cared quite a lot what happened to them, and got quite emotional at certain points in the story.

Although this dubbed a children's novel, I found it to be quite complex at times and also quite gruesome and horrifying in parts, which I could imagine may be quite disturbing for younger readers. Overall though this is a brilliant read that took me no time at all to get through it's 480 pages and is one that I'll definitely read again. Without a doubt this is a classic that everyone should give a go, even if you think that a book about rabbits wouldn't be your kind of thing.

The Benefit of Doubt., 30 Jul 2008
`The Salmon of Doubt' is a posthumously published collection of words put into a fantastic collection of arrays by Douglas Adams whom had previously been assembling words in a very pleasing manner in the various incarnations of `The Hitch Hikers Guide to the Galaxy' and the `Dirk Gently' novels.

The book contains tributes from comic actor and writer Stephen Fry, Nicholas Wroe, scientist and writer Richard Dawkins and the editor of this collection, Peter Guzzardi. All of which give some insight into Douglas but nothing like the insight Douglas gives of himself in the collection of articles, drafts of speeches and letters which have been prised from the hard drive of Douglas' beloved Apple Mac.

The pieces have been assembled into three sections, Life, The Universe and Everything but the themes don't really add anything to the writing of a man whom could have paraphrased the phone book in a manner that would leave us weeping with laughter.
The best part of the book is the quarter given over to `The Salmon of Doubt' an abandoned rather than incomplete Dirk Gently novel. Adams had apparently decided that the ideas he was exploring did not suit Dirk Gently and was considering rewriting the piece as a Hitch Hikers novel.

Although it would have possibly being a great novel as Adams then saw it I have to say that I enjoyed reading what he had actually written and am only disappointed that I will never get to marvel at the clever conclusion that not only tied up all the loose ends I'd noticed but ten or twelve others I wouldn't have noticed until rereading the book for the nth time. The beauty of Douglas Adams' Dirk Gently books was that every time you reread them you found something new which you hadn't noticed before.


A look into an awesome mind, 26 Jun 2008
If you have read every Douglas Adams book but still don't feel close enough to the great man himself, this is the book for you. You can see how the master thinks, how his everyday musings were written with the same wit and wisdom as his greatest works of fiction and read a wonderfull work in progress. As he says of 'Sunset at Blandings' (unfinished due to the author's death) by PG Wodehouse, you can see in DNA's first Chapters of his new Dirk Gently novel, the craftsman at work, the sentences are unpolished, the work has not even been through its first proof-read and it is all the more wonderful because of this. This book is fact, fiction and autobiography all rolled into one. Read it. It will blow your mind.

Be aware of what you're getting, 07 May 2008
For those who know Douglas Adams' work, chances are you are aware that The Salmon of Doubt is the last of Adams' work before his untimely death and is incomplete. Thus for those with an interest in Adams' work this is your last insight into what would have been the third book in his Dirk Gently series. Or perhaps the sixth book in the Hitchhikers series? Who knows what this may have ended up as.

This book will give you your last Adams' fix but be aware. Although the book is listed as 336 pages, the actual in-progress novel The Salmon of Doubt is tucked away at the very end of the book and constitutes only a small portion of the entire book. The majority of the content is a compendium of Adams' work ranging from speeches to columns to random notes. It's a chance to see a little more of Douglas Adams for those who are fans, but for those who just bought it for the novel you may feel a bit ripped off.

Don't um, don't ah, just buy and read., 30 Apr 2008
This lunchtime I finished reading The Salmon Of Doubt, the first work of Douglas's I've read since he died all those years ago. I've not really put off reading it, books often stay in my teetering/tottering piles books for *years* before passing the rubicon of my having read them and getting filed on the bookshelves/book-chest-of-drawers like so many hunting trophies, but I have to say that I didn't relish the prospect of reading a book that I'd never get to see finished. I was wrong: this is possibly my favourite of all his books, not because of the Dirk Gently novel-in-progress, but because it's a treasury of Douglas writing as-himself about things that interest or annoy him. That makes it feel more personal than any other work of fiction, and the Salmon chapters are added on the end of the book like coffee and mints after an excellent meal, rather than presented as a main course where their unfinished state would have disappointed. This book is an ideal tribute to a wonderful man.

A look into the personality of DNA, + a weird story, 11 Aug 2007
I got this book from my step-brother, and although ithe story in it was unfinished and a little confusing, the short stories and intos that Douglas Adams had written through the many years of his writing career were entertaining and made me wish i'd started reading his books before. If you're a DNA fan then you should definitly get this

The Best Stand Alone Superman Graphic Novel for Ages - read on to find out why!, 08 Oct 2008
This is a graphic novel that has kind of slipped underneath the radar; I have seen it advertised but have always had other purchases to make. And now i regret that i left it so long!
The main selling point of this graphic novel is the fact that Richard Donner is one of the writers on this project, and he is the director of the original Superman: The Movie - the man who got the Man of Steel so spot on for the silver screen. For those of you who haven't seen Superman II : The Donner Cut, you really need to buy it this very minute and watch it. His cut of the film that he was never allowed to finish is utterly awesome, despite the fact that he has had to edit in unfinished scenes, and even screen tests in to it! Why am i prattling on about Richard Donner's films when i am supposed to be reviewing this graphic novel. Well, that it is simple ; this man captures everything 'Superman' perfectly. His storylines, his humour, the way Superman and Clark Kent were portrayed and of course, choosing the unknown Christopher Reeve to play the lead role are all proof that he understands the mythos of Superman, his place in the world, his origins etc.....
And so onto the graphic novel. This is a story that deals with another last son of Krypton - a Kryptonian survivor who arrives in Metropolis when Superman is the great hero of the city. There is only one problem, he has been followed from the Phantom Zone by General Zod, Ursa and Non. What follows is mayhem in Metropolis in which Lex Luthor is enlisted to help rid the Kryptonian criminals from the world.
That is a really brief summary of the plot, and i don't want to spoil all the hidden revelations, surprises and twists but considering this is a one volume story, there is lots packed into it!Some of the more recent graphic novels have been part of a series and they have lost their punch and impact for it. The Last Son does not suffer from this at all. It has a great idea for a storyline and really runs with it and produces all the nice touches from the original and best Superman film. It's all here for you - Jor-El, the Fortress of Solitude, the Phantom Zone, funny interplay with Perry White and Jimmy, a tough but caring Lois Lane (with more drive akin to the Margot Kidder incarnation than the Kate Bosworth portrayal in Superman Returns), a nice scene with Jonathan and Martha Kent etc... The pace is pretty hectic, and you can tell it has been edited well to keep you interested, but more important than that; wanting more!
The big thing for me is that Superman is just like the Reeve version of the Man of Steel. It is very much paying homage to Reeve - the Kryptonian boy even gets called Christopher Kent, which is a really nice touch.
As you can tell, i loved this from the very start to the very end and i can really imagine this being made as a film and with there being talk of a Superman reboot at Warner Brothers in Hollywood, they could do a lot worse than looking at this graphic novel. But, maybe the solution to the silver screen dilemma could be solved by giving Richard Donner the chance to be the director again. Think about it - he is the only director to have a classic Superman film that everyone recognises from the opening credits, and music, the best Superman (Christopher Reeve), the famous helicopter rescue and so much more!
This graphic novel perfectly catches the spirit of the first Richard Donner Superman film and really surprised me by how much i loved it. With a nice introduction by Marc McLure (the Jimmy Olsen from the Reeve films) this graphic novel is a perfect addition to a collection for any fan of the films, and Superman, the comic book character.

Buy this as soon as you can and you really won't regret it! Utterly brilliant!

A classic tale never to be forgotten, 27 Apr 2007
It's unbelievable that one misguided individual has actually taken the time to write five negative reviews about this book (they are quite obviously by the same person as their content is virtually identical). That particular reader attacks the book for having a "low reading level" yet the reviews themselves are full of mistakes and non-sequiters... The same person calls the book "too cute"; anyone who has actually read and understood the book will agree that one of the most remarkable things about it is the way the rabbits and other animals are always true to their nature, and there is a marked absense of anything 'cute' - in fact the book is decidedly harrowing in parts. To compare this book with 'Animal Farm' is pointless; Orwell's tale is a political allegory that happens to feature animals, whereas this is told from an animal's perspective (although there are some political allusions). Not only is it a wonderfully imagined rabbit's-eye view of the world, it's also an exciting adventure, a moving plea for compassion in our treatment of animals and the environment and a classic tale of freedom versus oppression. The prose is excellent, far better than anything Tolkien or CS Lewis ever produced, and the book can be enjoyed by older children and adults alike. In the 'Seventies Watership Down was an absolute phenomenon, selling well over 30 million copies worldwide. It's a great pity that it no longer recieves the public attention it so richly deserves. Adams's other animal fiction - Shardik, The Plague Dogs and Traveller, all of which are aimed more directly at adults - are also worth seeking out, but this remains his finest work.

Truly, one of the very best., 21 Apr 2007
I was first introduced to this book as a teenager by my mother of all people, whoever listens to their mother in their teenage years. There aren't many books which completely capture you as does "Watership Down" with the tales of Hazel, Bigwig and Fiver plus the interspersed stories such as the black rabit of Inle. You get absorbed by the politics of the Owsla and the terror faced in the warren run by the general. Such a beautiful book, exceptional, are words that come to mind. Its so easy to be living their story and the death of Hazel is unbearably sad.

Truly, one of the very best.


Two Thumbs Up for Watership Down, 21 Mar 2007
'Watership Down' deserves every word of praise it gets now and will continue to get for generations to come. This timeless treasure of American literature stands as a towering landmark to good story-telling, flawless talent, and a return to a style the reader will not have felt since childhood. But make no mistake; 'Watership Down' is NO children's book. Its intelligence, craft, and moveable feel with take its readers to an unforgettable place they will be sorry to leave as they turn the last page.

Bigwig Brilliantly Bashes Bugs Bunny, 23 Dec 2006
"Watership Down" was Richard Adams' debut novel and was first published in 1972. He originally told it to his children to help pass the time on long car journeys. It won the Guardian Award and the Carnegie Medal in 1973 and is set in Berkshire, where Adams was born in 1920. It is, of course, about rabbits, and was made into an animated film in 1978 - the soundtrack of which featured "Bright Eyes", by Art Garfunkel.

The book opens at Sandleford Warren in May, with Hazel, a yearling, and his brother, Fiver, feeding at sunset. Although brothers, the pair are very different. Fiver was the runt of the litter and, as a result, is a lot smaller and much more nervous than his brother. He is, however, also something of a seer and - not long after the book opens - foresees the destruction of their home warren. The pair bring the prophecy to the Threarah, their chief rabbit - who, despite Fiver's success rate, refuses to accept it. The brothers decide to leave anyhow, and mean to bring whoever wishes to come along with them. A number of others join them, including two Owsla members : Silver, a nephew of the Threarah, and Bigwig. Although they have little idea of where they're going, Fiver knows what they should be looking for and have an excellent leader in Hazel.

This book has so much going for it, it's hard to write a review that will do it justice. Bigwig was a great character - an all-action rabbit (yes, really !!) whose name comes from the strange tuft of hair between his ears. However, he's not the only star. Other notable characters include General Woundwort, the leader of another warren and the baddest rabbit in England. (A vicious character, he'd leave your average bunny-boiler with badly burnt fingers and causes our heroes a great deal of trouble). Kehaar, a somewhat foul-mouthed (or is that foul-beaked ?) seagull, provides a certain amount of humour. He also helps the rabbits establish themselves after they arrive at their new home. The story is very engaging and is very well told. Adams explains the way rabbit society is structured, for example, including the role of a Chief Rabbit and his Owsla. As the story progresses, he includes a few words of the rabbits' own language and a few of their myths : these are very much centred on the great rabbit hero, El-ahrairah. An excellent book, and highly recommended.

A perfect book, 25 Nov 2006
When I was around fifteen my parents and I had this deal where for every "classic" book I bought (and read), they would buy me the usual books I would tend to (Stephen King, Chistopher Pike, in fact, anything with blood and gore). Watership Down was one of classics I bought to keep them happy. However, despite the attitude I had to sitting down to reading this "book about rabbits," it didn't take long for me fall in love with this book. Hard.

I couldn't agree more with the reviewer who talked about the goosebumps he feels every times he reads the opening lines "The primroses were over." The whole book is truely sensational and a classic for a reason.

An amazing, emotive, and beatifully written read. I am now 23, still a fan of blood, gore and all things violent and it's still, by quite a long way, my favourite book - the only close contenders being the Dark Materials Trilogy.

Kudos to your genius, Richard Adams, for making a "book about rabbits" one of the all time greats

The best book about rabbits that I know!, 16 Aug 2008
This is a superb book. I enjoyed it mainly as a brilliant adventure story, but also for the great characters. It's superior to the film, as it's more even in its coverage, wheareas the film skips over the latter half and ends up being a bit rushed and confused.

In terms of enjoyment, I'd rate this a 5, but I'm not convinced it works at a deeper level, and after all it's only a story (albiet a great one) about a bunch of rabbits - so I'm going to rate it a 4. Definitely recommended, and certainly not just for children.

The ending is as moving as in the film.

You won't look at rabbits the same way again after reading this!, 07 Aug 2008
This is obviously not just a book for children because of how it's written, though it's not too complicated. The characters are fantastic and have great personalities and the overall story is just...wonderful! I love the Lapine tales of El-Ehrairah too, and the Lapine words and sentences make it a very interesting read.

One thing is for sure though, I'm never going to look at rabbits the same way again!

Great novel for all, 20 Apr 2008
I have little else to add to what other reviewers have said, but I'd like it to be known that the book is MUCH better than the film. It has many more layers, much greater depth of characterisation and a lot more detail.
The author's writing style is perfect for the yarn he spins, and it's difficult to see how it could be improved upon. Some might find the quotations at the top of the chapters a little pretentious I suppose.
Highly recommended for anyone who likes a really good book. Suitable for perhaps eleven and above.

A gripping and unforgettable epic, 04 Apr 2008
Notwithstanding a slightly weak, watered down animated film version, this novel has for a long time held a rightful place in the hall of fame of fantasy literature. Reportedly honed from Adams' impromptu storytelling on long car journeys with his children, the unforgettable story of Hazel and his friends and their escape from the culling hands of men to the "promised land" of Watership Down never falters, and is engaging from the very first page. Along the way, our heroes meet a vast array of fellow creatures, some friendly, some dangerous, and high drama is always around the corner.

But it is the rich fabric with which this story is woven together that makes it so memorable and gripping. Adams has created an entire society and culture surrounding his characters, chronicling their habits, folklore, even language in staggering detail. The back-stories and tales told by the rabbits to each other are enough to divert from the main plot entirely at times, and are mini-masterpieces in themselves. Obviously this is the work of an extraordinarily imaginative talent, leaving the reader, when the book is closed for the last time, aching for just one more chapter, one more page, before we have to say goodbye to the colourful characters whose long and eventful journey we've shared.

If a book about rabbits seems like a bad idea, it's interesting to note that Adams' manuscript was rejected by almost every major publisher before finally making it to the bookstands. Don't make the same mistake. This is a definate must-read.

By Frith this is a good book!, 15 Oct 2007
'Watership Down' is the exciting and emotional tale where a group of rabbits are forced to leave their Sandleford homes when Fiver, who often sees visions of the future, tells them that their warren is in danger from humans. The group is then lead by Hazel and Bigwig as they make their way through the fields of Hampshire as they come face to face with danger from other animals such as rats, foxes, cats, dogs and owls as well as humans and cars. As the story goes on Hazel and the group of rabbits try to rescue some rabbits from a farm; help a bird, who in turn then helps them; join another warren of rabbits and also try to steal does from a much bigger and powerful warren known as Efrafa, leading to a shocking and brilliant finalle. Along the way tales are told of El-ahrairah (prince of a thousand enemies), which gives more insight into the beliefs of the rabbits in their own world.

As someone who usually mainly reads crime fiction and horror (and have also never seen the movie adaption), I never thought that I'd enjoy a book about a bunch of rabbits but after a strong recommendation from my girlfriend, I gave this a try and once I started it I couldn't put it down. Immediately I fell in love with Hazel, Fiver, Bigwig, Pipkin, Dandelion, Speedwell, Blackberry, Silver, Buckthorn, Holly, Bluebell and Strawberry. Each and everyone of them has their individual characteristics and I found that I actually cared quite a lot what happened to them, and got quite emotional at certain points in the story.

Although this dubbed a children's novel, I found it to be quite complex at times and also quite gruesome and horrifying in parts, which I could imagine may be quite disturbing for younger readers. Overall though this is a brilliant read that took me no time at all to get through it's 480 pages and is one that I'll definitely read again. Without a doubt this is a classic that everyone should give a go, even if you think that a book about rabbits wouldn't be your kind of thing.

The Benefit of Doubt., 30 Jul 2008
`The Salmon of Doubt' is a posthumously published collection of words put into a fantastic collection of arrays by Douglas Adams whom had previously been assembling words in a very pleasing manner in the various incarnations of `The Hitch Hikers Guide to the Galaxy' and the `Dirk Gently' novels.

The book contains tributes from comic actor and writer Stephen Fry, Nicholas Wroe, scientist and writer Richard Dawkins and the editor of this collection, Peter Guzzardi. All of which give some insight into Douglas but nothing like the insight Douglas gives of himself in the collection of articles, drafts of speeches and letters which have been prised from the hard drive of Douglas' beloved Apple Mac.

The pieces have been assembled into three sections, Life, The Universe and Everything but the themes don't really add anything to the writing of a man whom could have paraphrased the phone book in a manner that would leave us weeping with laughter.
The best part of the book is the quarter given over to `The Salmon of Doubt' an abandoned rather than incomplete Dirk Gently novel. Adams had apparently decided that the ideas he was exploring did not suit Dirk Gently and was considering rewriting the piece as a Hitch Hikers novel.

Although it would have possibly being a great novel as Adams then saw it I have to say that I enjoyed reading what he had actually written and am only disappointed that I will never get to marvel at the clever conclusion that not only tied up all the loose ends I'd noticed but ten or twelve others I wouldn't have noticed until rereading the book for the nth time. The beauty of Douglas Adams' Dirk Gently books was that every time you reread them you found something new which you hadn't noticed before.


A look into an awesome mind, 26 Jun 2008
If you have read every Douglas Adams book but still don't feel close enough to the great man himself, this is the book for you. You can see how the master thinks, how his everyday musings were written with the same wit and wisdom as his greatest works of fiction and read a wonderfull work in progress. As he says of 'Sunset at Blandings' (unfinished due to the author's death) by PG Wodehouse, you can see in DNA's first Chapters of his new Dirk Gently novel, the craftsman at work, the sentences are unpolished, the work has not even been through its first proof-read and it is all the more wonderful because of this. This book is fact, fiction and autobiography all rolled into one. Read it. It will blow your mind.

Be aware of what you're getting, 07 May 2008
For those who know Douglas Adams' work, chances are you are aware that The Salmon of Doubt is the last of Adams' work before his untimely death and is incomplete. Thus for those with an interest in Adams' work this is your last insight into what would have been the third book in his Dirk Gently series. Or perhaps the sixth book in the Hitchhikers series? Who knows what this may have ended up as.

This book will give you your last Adams' fix but be aware. Although the book is listed as 336 pages, the actual in-progress novel The Salmon of Doubt is tucked away at the very end of the book and constitutes only a small portion of the entire book. The majority of the content is a compendium of Adams' work ranging from speeches to columns to random notes. It's a chance to see a little more of Douglas Adams for those who are fans, but for those who just bought it for the novel you may feel a bit ripped off.

Don't um, don't ah, just buy and read., 30 Apr 2008
This lunchtime I finished reading The Salmon Of Doubt, the first work of Douglas's I've read since he died all those years ago. I've not really put off reading it, books often stay in my teetering/tottering piles books for *years* before passing the rubicon of my having read them and getting filed on the bookshelves/book-chest-of-drawers like so many hunting trophies, but I have to say that I didn't relish the prospect of reading a book that I'd never get to see finished. I was wrong: this is possibly my favourite of all his books, not because of the Dirk Gently novel-in-progress, but because it's a treasury of Douglas writing as-himself about things that interest or annoy him. That makes it feel more personal than any other work of fiction, and the Salmon chapters are added on the end of the book like coffee and mints after an excellent meal, rather than presented as a main course where their unfinished state would have disappointed. This book is an ideal tribute to a wonderful man.

A look into the personality of DNA, + a weird story, 11 Aug 2007
I got this book from my step-brother, and although ithe story in it was unfinished and a little confusing, the short stories and intos that Douglas Adams had written through the many years of his writing career were entertaining and made me wish i'd started reading his books before. If you're a DNA fan then you should definitly get this

The Best Stand Alone Superman Graphic Novel for Ages - read on to find out why!, 08 Oct 2008
This is a graphic novel that has kind of slipped underneath the radar; I have seen it advertised but have always had other purchases to make. And now i regret that i left it so long!
The main selling point of this graphic novel is the fact that Richard Donner is one of the writers on this project, and he is the director of the original Superman: The Movie - the man who got the Man of Steel so spot on for the silver screen. For those of you who haven't seen Superman II : The Donner Cut, you really need to buy it this very minute and watch it. His cut of the film that he was never allowed to finish is utterly awesome, despite the fact that he has had to edit in unfinished scenes, and even screen tests in to it! Why am i prattling on about Richard Donner's films when i am supposed to be reviewing this graphic novel. Well, that it is simple ; this man captures everything 'Superman' perfectly. His storylines, his humour, the way Superman and Clark Kent were portrayed and of course, choosing the unknown Christopher Reeve to play the lead role are all proof that he understands the mythos of Superman, his place in the world, his origins etc.....
And so onto the graphic novel. This is a story that deals with another last son of Krypton - a Kryptonian survivor who arrives in Metropolis when Superman is the great hero of the city. There is only one problem, he has been followed from the Phantom Zone by General Zod, Ursa and Non. What follows is mayhem in Metropolis in which Lex Luthor is enlisted to help rid the Kryptonian criminals from the world.
That is a really brief summary of the plot, and i don't want to spoil all the hidden revelations, surprises and twists but considering this is a one volume story, there is lots packed into it!Some of the more recent graphic novels have been part of a series and they have lost their punch and impact for it. The Last Son does not suffer from this at all. It has a great idea for a storyline and really runs with it and produces all the nice touches from the original and best Superman film. It's all here for you - Jor-El, the Fortress of Solitude, the Phantom Zone, funny interplay with Perry White and Jimmy, a tough but caring Lois Lane (with more drive akin to the Margot Kidder incarnation than the Kate Bosworth portrayal in Superman Returns), a nice scene with Jonathan and Martha Kent etc... The pace is pretty hectic, and you can tell it has been edited well to keep you interested, but more important than that; wanting more!
The big thing for me is that Superman is just like the Reeve version of the Man of Steel. It is very much paying homage to Reeve - the Kryptonian boy even gets called Christopher Kent, which is a really nice touch.
As you can tell, i loved this from the very start to the very end and i can really imagine this being made as a film and with there being talk of a Superman reboot at Warner Brothers in Hollywood, they could do a lot worse than looking at this graphic novel. But, maybe the solution to the silver screen dilemma could be solved by giving Richard Donner the chance to be the director again. Think about it - he is the only director to have a classic Superman film that everyone recognises from the opening credits, and music, the best Superman (Christopher Reeve), the famous helicopter rescue and so much more!
This graphic novel perfectly catches the spirit of the first Richard Donner Superman film and really surprised me by how much i loved it. With a nice introduction by Marc McLure (the Jimmy Olsen from the Reeve films) this graphic novel is a perfect addition to a collection for any fan of the films, and Superman, the comic book character.

Buy this as soon as you can and you really won't regret it! Utterly brilliant!

A classic tale never to be forgotten, 27 Apr 2007
It's unbelievable that one misguided individual has actually taken the time to write five negative reviews about this book (they are quite obviously by the same person as their content is virtually identical). That particular reader attacks the book for having a "low reading level" yet the reviews themselves are full of mistakes and non-sequiters... The same person calls the book "too cute"; anyone who has actually read and understood the book will agree that one of the most remarkable things about it is the way the rabbits and other animals are always true to their nature, and there is a marked absense of anything 'cute' - in fact the book is decidedly harrowing in parts. To compare this book with 'Animal Farm' is pointless; Orwell's tale is a political allegory that happens to feature animals, whereas this is told from an animal's perspective (although there are some political allusions). Not only is it a wonderfully imagined rabbit's-eye view of the world, it's also an exciting adventure, a moving plea for compassion in our treatment of animals and the environment and a classic tale of freedom versus oppression. The prose is excellent, far better than anything Tolkien or CS Lewis ever produced, and the book can be enjoyed by older children and adults alike. In the 'Seventies Watership Down was an absolute phenomenon, selling well over 30 million copies worldwide. It's a great pity that it no longer recieves the public attention it so richly deserves. Adams's other animal fiction - Shardik, The Plague Dogs and Traveller, all of which are aimed more directly at adults - are also worth seeking out, but this remains his finest work.

Truly, one of the very best., 21 Apr 2007
I was first introduced to this book as a teenager by my mother of all people, whoever listens to their mother in their teenage years. There aren't many books which completely capture you as does "Watership Down" with the tales of Hazel, Bigwig and Fiver plus the interspersed stories such as the black rabit of Inle. You get absorbed by the politics of the Owsla and the terror faced in the warren run by the general. Such a beautiful book, exceptional, are words that come to mind. Its so easy to be living their story and the death of Hazel is unbearably sad.

Truly, one of the very best.


Two Thumbs Up for Watership Down, 21 Mar 2007
'Watership Down' deserves every word of praise it gets now and will continue to get for generations to come. This timeless treasure of American literature stands as a towering landmark to good story-telling, flawless talent, and a return to a style the reader will not have felt since childhood. But make no mistake; 'Watership Down' is NO children's book. Its intelligence, craft, and moveable feel with take its readers to an unforgettable place they will be sorry to leave as they turn the last page.

Bigwig Brilliantly Bashes Bugs Bunny, 23 Dec 2006
"Watership Down" was Richard Adams' debut novel and was first published in 1972. He originally told it to his children to help pass the time on long car journeys. It won the Guardian Award and the Carnegie Medal in 1973 and is set in Berkshire, where Adams was born in 1920. It is, of course, about rabbits, and was made into an animated film in 1978 - the soundtrack of which featured "Bright Eyes", by Art Garfunkel.

The book opens at Sandleford Warren in May, with Hazel, a yearling, and his brother, Fiver, feeding at sunset. Although brothers, the pair are very different. Fiver was the runt of the litter and, as a result, is a lot smaller and much more nervous than his brother. He is, however, also something of a seer and - not long after the book opens - foresees the destruction of their home warren. The pair bring the prophecy to the Threarah, their chief rabbit - who, despite Fiver's success rate, refuses to accept it. The brothers decide to leave anyhow, and mean to bring whoever wishes to come along with them. A number of others join them, including two Owsla members : Silver, a nephew of the Threarah, and Bigwig. Although they have little idea of where they're going, Fiver knows what they should be looking for and have an excellent leader in Hazel.

This book has so much going for it, it's hard to write a review that will do it justice. Bigwig was a great character - an all-action rabbit (yes, really !!) whose name comes from the strange tuft of hair between his ears. However, he's not the only star. Other notable characters include General Woundwort, the leader of another warren and the baddest rabbit in England. (A vicious character, he'd leave your average bunny-boiler with badly burnt fingers and causes our heroes a great deal of trouble). Kehaar, a somewhat foul-mouthed (or is that foul-beaked ?) seagull, provides a certain amount of humour. He also helps the rabbits establish themselves after they arrive at their new home. The story is very engaging and is very well told. Adams explains the way rabbit society is structured, for example, including the role of a Chief Rabbit and his Owsla. As the story progresses, he includes a few words of the rabbits' own language and a few of their myths : these are very much centred on the great rabbit hero, El-ahrairah. An excellent book, and highly recommended.

A perfect book, 25 Nov 2006
When I was around fifteen my parents and I had this deal where for every "classic" book I bought (and read), they would buy me the usual books I would tend to (Stephen King, Chistopher Pike, in fact, anything with blood and gore). Watership Down was one of classics I bought to keep them happy. However, despite the attitude I had to sitting down to reading this "book about rabbits," it didn't take long for me fall in love with this book. Hard.

I couldn't agree more with the reviewer who talked about the goosebumps he feels every times he reads the opening lines "The primroses were over." The whole book is truely sensational and a classic for a reason.

An amazing, emotive, and beatifully written read. I am now 23, still a fan of blood, gore and all things violent and it's still, by quite a long way, my favourite book - the only close contenders being the Dark Materials Trilogy.

Kudos to your genius, Richard Adams, for making a "book about rabbits" one of the all time greats

Brilliant!, 03 May 2002
A fantastic story lovingly brought to life. Andrew Sachs is a wonderful reader, and gives each character life.The music in this is lovely, and adds to the drama. It is a pity that its been abridged, but this has to be one of the best audiobooks ever! Buy it!

The best book about rabbits that I know!, 16 Aug 2008
This is a superb book. I enjoyed it mainly as a brilliant adventure story, but also for the great characters. It's superior to the film, as it's more even in its coverage, wheareas the film skips over the latter half and ends up being a bit rushed and confused.

In terms of enjoyment, I'd rate this a 5, but I'm not convinced it works at a deeper level, and after all it's only a story (albiet a great one) about a bunch of rabbits - so I'm going to rate it a 4. Definitely recommended, and certainly not just for children.

The ending is as moving as in the film.

You won't look at rabbits the same way again after reading this!, 07 Aug 2008
This is obviously not just a book for children because of how it's written, though it's not too complicated. The characters are fantastic and have great personalities and the overall story is just...wonderful! I love the Lapine tales of El-Ehrairah too, and the Lapine words and sentences make it a very interesting read.

One thing is for sure though, I'm never going to look at rabbits the same way again!

Great novel for all, 20 Apr 2008
I have little else to add to what other reviewers have said, but I'd like it to be known that the book is MUCH better than the film. It has many more layers, much greater depth of characterisation and a lot more detail.
The author's writing style is perfect for the yarn he spins, and it's difficult to see how it could be improved upon. Some might find the quotations at the top of the chapters a little pretentious I suppose.
Highly recommended for anyone who likes a really good book. Suitable for perhaps eleven and above.

A gripping and unforgettable epic, 04 Apr 2008
Notwithstanding a slightly weak, watered down animated film version, this novel has for a long time held a rightful place in the hall of fame of fantasy literature. Reportedly honed from Adams' impromptu storytelling on long car journeys with his children, the unforgettable story of Hazel and his friends and their escape from the culling hands of men to the "promised land" of Watership Down never falters, and is engaging from the very first page. Along the way, our heroes meet a vast array of fellow creatures, some friendly, some dangerous, and high drama is always around the corner.

But it is the rich fabric with which this story is woven together that makes it so memorable and gripping. Adams has created an entire society and culture surrounding his characters, chronicling their habits, folklore, even language in staggering detail. The back-stories and tales told by the rabbits to each other are enough to divert from the main plot entirely at times, and are mini-masterpieces in themselves. Obviously this is the work of an extraordinarily imaginative talent, leaving the reader, when the book is closed for the last time, aching for just one more chapter, one more page, before we have to say goodbye to the colourful characters whose long and eventful journey we've shared.

If a book about rabbits seems like a bad idea, it's interesting to note that Adams' manuscript was rejected by almost every major publisher before finally making it to the bookstands. Don't make the same mistake. This is a definate must-read.

By Frith this is a good book!, 15 Oct 2007
'Watership Down' is the exciting and emotional tale where a group of rabbits are forced to leave their Sandleford homes when Fiver, who often sees visions of the future, tells them that their warren is in danger from humans. The group is then lead by Hazel and Bigwig as they make their way through the fields of Hampshire as they come face to face with danger from other animals such as rats, foxes, cats, dogs and owls as well as humans and cars. As the story goes on Hazel and the group of rabbits try to rescue some rabbits from a farm; help a bird, who in turn then helps them; join another warren of rabbits and also try to steal does from a much bigger and powerful warren known as Efrafa, leading to a shocking and brilliant finalle. Along the way tales are told of El-ahrairah (prince of a thousand enemies), which gives more insight into the beliefs of the rabbits in their own world.

As someone who usually mainly reads crime fiction and horror (and have also never seen the movie adaption), I never thought that I'd enjoy a book about a bunch of rabbits but after a strong recommendation from my girlfriend, I gave this a try and once I started it I couldn't put it down. Immediately I fell in love with Hazel, Fiver, Bigwig, Pipkin, Dandelion, Speedwell, Blackberry, Silver, Buckthorn, Holly, Bluebell and Strawberry. Each and everyone of them has their individual characteristics and I found that I actually cared quite a lot what happened to them, and got quite emotional at certain points in the story.

Although this dubbed a children's novel, I found it to be quite complex at times and also quite gruesome and horrifying in parts, which I could imagine may be quite disturbing for younger readers. Overall though this is a brilliant read that took me no time at all to get through it's 480 pages and is one that I'll definitely read again. Without a doubt this is a classic that everyone should give a go, even if you think that a book about rabbits wouldn't be your kind of thing.

The Benefit of Doubt., 30 Jul 2008
`The Salmon of Doubt' is a posthumously published collection of words put into a fantastic collection of arrays by Douglas Adams whom had previously been assembling words in a very pleasing manner in the various incarnations of `The Hitch Hikers Guide to the Galaxy' and the `Dirk Gently' novels.

The book contains tributes from comic actor and writer Stephen Fry, Nicholas Wroe, scientist and writer Richard Dawkins and the editor of this collection, Peter Guzzardi. All of which give some insight into Douglas but nothing like the insight Douglas gives of himself in the collection of articles, drafts of speeches and letters which have been prised from the hard drive of Douglas' beloved Apple Mac.

The pieces have been assembled into three sections, Life, The Universe and Everything but the themes don't really add anything to the writing of a man whom could have paraphrased the phone book in a manner that would leave us weeping with laughter.
The best part of the book is the quarter given over to `The Salmon of Doubt' an abandoned rather than incomplete Dirk Gently novel. Adams had apparently decided that the ideas he was exploring did not suit Dirk Gently and was considering rewriting the piece as a Hitch Hikers novel.

Although it would have possibly being a great novel as Adams then saw it I have to say that I enjoyed reading what he had actually written and am only disappointed that I will never get to marvel at the clever conclusion that not only tied up all the loose ends I'd noticed but ten or twelve others I wouldn't have noticed until rereading the book for the nth time. The beauty of Douglas Adams' Dirk Gently books was that every time you reread them you found something new which you hadn't noticed before.


A look into an awesome mind, 26 Jun 2008
If you have read every Douglas Adams book but still don't feel close enough to the great man himself, this is the book for you. You can see how the master thinks, how his everyday musings were written with the same wit and wisdom as his greatest works of fiction and read a wonderfull work in progress. As he says of 'Sunset at Blandings' (unfinished due to the author's death) by PG Wodehouse, you can see in DNA's first Chapters of his new Dirk Gently novel, the craftsman at work, the sentences are unpolished, the work has not even been through its first proof-read and it is all the more wonderful because of this. This book is fact, fiction and autobiography all rolled into one. Read it. It will blow your mind.

Be aware of what you're getting, 07 May 2008
For those who know Douglas Adams' work, chances are you are aware that The Salmon of Doubt is the last of Adams' work before his untimely death and is incomplete. Thus for those with an interest in Adams' work this is your last insight into what would have been the third book in his Dirk Gently series. Or perhaps the sixth book in the Hitchhikers series? Who knows what this may have ended up as.

This book will give you your last Adams' fix but be aware. Although the book is listed as 336 pages, the actual in-progress novel The Salmon of Doubt is tucked away at the very end of the book and constitutes only a small portion of the entire book. The majority of the content is a compendium of Adams' work ranging from speeches to columns to random notes. It's a chance to see a little more of Douglas Adams for those who are fans, but for those who just bought it for the novel you may feel a bit ripped off.

Don't um, don't ah, just buy and read., 30 Apr 2008
This lunchtime I finished reading The Salmon Of Doubt, the first work of Douglas's I've read since he died all those years ago. I've not really put off reading it, books often stay in my teetering/tottering piles books for *years* before passing the rubicon of my having read them and getting filed on the bookshelves/book-chest-of-drawers like so many hunting trophies, but I have to say that I didn't relish the prospect of reading a book that I'd never get to see finished. I was wrong: this is possibly my favourite of all his books, not because of the Dirk Gently novel-in-progress, but because it's a treasury of Douglas writing as-himself about things that interest or annoy him. That makes it feel more personal than any other work of fiction, and the Salmon chapters are added on the end of the book like coffee and mints after an excellent meal, rather than presented as a main course where their unfinished state would have disappointed. This book is an ideal tribute to a wonderful man.

A look into the personality of DNA, + a weird story, 11 Aug 2007
I got this book from my step-brother, and although ithe story in it was unfinished and a little confusing, the short stories and intos that Douglas Adams had written through the many years of his writing career were entertaining and made me wish i'd started reading his books before. If you're a DNA fan then you should definitly get this

The Best Stand Alone Superman Graphic Novel for Ages - read on to find out why!, 08 Oct 2008
This is a graphic novel that has kind of slipped underneath the radar; I have seen it advertised but have always had other purchases to make. And now i regret that i left it so long!
The main selling point of this graphic novel is the fact that Richard Donner is one of the writers on this project, and he is the director of the original Superman: The Movie - the man who got the Man of Steel so spot on for the silver screen. For those of you who haven't seen Superman II : The Donner Cut, you really need to buy it this very minute and watch it. His cut of the film that he was never allowed to finish is utterly awesome, despite the fact that he has had to edit in unfinished scenes, and even screen tests in to it! Why am i prattling on about Richard Donner's films when i am supposed to be reviewing this graphic novel. Well, that it is simple ; this man captures everything 'Superman' perfectly. His storylines, his humour, the way Superman and Clark Kent were portrayed and of course, choosing the unknown Christopher Reeve to play the lead role are all proof that he understands the mythos of Superman, his place in the world, his origins etc.....
And so onto the graphic novel. This is a story that deals with another last son of Krypton - a Kryptonian survivor who arrives in Metropolis when Superman is the great hero of the city. There is only one problem, he has been followed from the Phantom Zone by General Zod, Ursa and Non. What follows is mayhem in Metropolis in which Lex Luthor is enlisted to help rid the Kryptonian criminals from the world.
That is a really brief summary of the plot, and i don't want to spoil all the hidden revelations, surprises and twists but considering this is a one volume story, there is lots packed into it!Some of the more recent graphic novels have been part of a series and they have lost their punch and impact for it. The Last Son does not suffer from this at all. It has a great idea for a storyline and really runs with it and produces all the nice touches from the original and best Superman film. It's all here for you - Jor-El, the Fortress of Solitude, the Phantom Zone, funny interplay with Perry White and Jimmy, a tough but caring Lois Lane (with more drive akin to the Margot Kidder incarnation than the Kate Bosworth portrayal in Superman Returns), a nice scene with Jonathan and Martha Kent etc... The pace is pretty hectic, and you can tell it has been edited well to keep you interested, but more important than that; wanting more!
The big thing for me is that Superman is just like the Reeve version of the Man of Steel. It is very much paying homage to Reeve - the Kryptonian boy even gets called Christopher Kent, which is a really nice touch.
As you can tell, i loved this from the very start to the very end and i can really imagine this being made as a film and with there being talk of a Superman reboot at Warner Brothers in Hollywood, they could do a lot worse than looking at this graphic novel. But, maybe the solution to the silver screen dilemma could be solved by giving Richard Donner the chance to be the director again. Think about it - he is the only director to have a classic Superman film that everyone recognises from the opening credits, and music, the best Superman (Christopher Reeve), the famous helicopter rescue and so much more!
This graphic novel perfectly catches the spirit of the first Richard Donner Superman film and really surprised me by how much i loved it. With a nice introduction by Marc McLure (the Jimmy Olsen from the Reeve films) this graphic novel is a perfect addition to a collection for any fan of the films, and Superman, the comic book character.

Buy this as soon as you can and you really won't regret it! Utterly brilliant!

A classic tale never to be forgotten, 27 Apr 2007
It's unbelievable that one misguided individual has actually taken the time to write five negative reviews about this book (they are quite obviously by the same person as their content is virtually identical). That particular reader attacks the book for having a "low reading level" yet the reviews themselves are full of mistakes and non-sequiters... The same person calls the book "too cute"; anyone who has actually read and understood the book will agree that one of the most remarkable things about it is the way the rabbits and other animals are always true to their nature, and there is a marked absense of anything 'cute' - in fact the book is decidedly harrowing in parts. To compare this book with 'Animal Farm' is pointless; Orwell's tale is a political allegory that happens to feature animals, whereas this is told from an animal's perspective (although there are some political allusions). Not only is it a wonderfully imagined rabbit's-eye view of the world, it's also an exciting adventure, a moving plea for compassion in our treatment of animals and the environment and a classic tale of freedom versus oppression. The prose is excellent, far better than anything Tolkien or CS Lewis ever produced, and the book can be enjoyed by older children and adults alike. In the 'Seventies Watership Down was an absolute phenomenon, selling well over 30 million copies worldwide. It's a great pity that it no longer recieves the public attention it so richly deserves. Adams's other animal fiction - Shardik, The Plague Dogs and Traveller, all of which are aimed more directly at adults - are also worth seeking out, but this remains his finest work.

Truly, one of the very best., 21 Apr 2007
I was first introduced to this book as a teenager by my mother of all people, whoever listens to their mother in their teenage years. There aren't many books which completely capture you as does "Watership Down" with the tales of Hazel, Bigwig and Fiver plus the interspersed stories such as the black rabit of Inle. You get absorbed by the politics of the Owsla and the terror faced in the warren run by the general. Such a beautiful book, exceptional, are words that come to mind. Its so easy to be living their story and the death of Hazel is unbearably sad.

Truly, one of the very best.


Two Thumbs Up for Watership Down, 21 Mar 2007
'Watership Down' deserves every word of praise it gets now and will continue to get for generations to come. This timeless treasure of American literature stands as a towering landmark to good story-telling, flawless talent, and a return to a style the reader will not have felt since childhood. But make no mistake; 'Watership Down' is NO children's book. Its intelligence, craft, and moveable feel with take its readers to an unforgettable place they will be sorry to leave as they turn the last page.

Bigwig Brilliantly Bashes Bugs Bunny, 23 Dec 2006
"Watership Down" was Richard Adams' debut novel and was first published in 1972. He originally told it to his children to help pass the time on long car journeys. It won the Guardian Award and the Carnegie Medal in 1973 and is set in Berkshire, where Adams was born in 1920. It is, of course, about rabbits, and was made into an animated film in 1978 - the soundtrack of which featured "Bright Eyes", by Art Garfunkel.

The book opens at Sandleford Warren in May, with Hazel, a yearling, and his brother, Fiver, feeding at sunset. Although brothers, the pair are very different. Fiver was the runt of the litter and, as a result, is a lot smaller and much more nervous than his brother. He is, however, also something of a seer and - not long after the book opens - foresees the destruction of their home warren. The pair bring the prophecy to the Threarah, their chief rabbit - who, despite Fiver's success rate, refuses to accept it. The brothers decide to leave anyhow, and mean to bring whoever wishes to come along with them. A number of others join them, including two Owsla members : Silver, a nephew of the Threarah, and Bigwig. Although they have little idea of where they're going, Fiver knows what they should be looking for and have an excellent leader in Hazel.

This book has so much going for it, it's hard to write a review that will do it justice. Bigwig was a great character - an all-action rabbit (yes, really !!) whose name comes from the strange tuft of hair between his ears. However, he's not the only star. Other notable characters include General Woundwort, the leader of another warren and the baddest rabbit in England. (A vicious character, he'd leave your average bunny-boiler with badly burnt fingers and causes our heroes a great deal of trouble). Kehaar, a somewhat foul-mouthed (or is that foul-beaked ?) seagull, provides a certain amount of humour. He also helps the rabbits establish themselves after they arrive at their new home. The story is very engaging and is very well told. Adams explains the way rabbit society is structured, for example, including the role of a Chief Rabbit and his Owsla. As the story progresses, he includes a few words of the rabbits' own language and a few of their myths : these are very much centred on the great rabbit hero, El-ahrairah. An excellent book, and highly recommended.

A perfect book, 25 Nov 2006
When I was around fifteen my parents and I had this deal where for every "classic" book I bought (and read), they would buy me the usual books I would tend to (Stephen King, Chistopher Pike, in fact, anything with blood and gore). Watership Down was one of classics I bought to keep them happy. However, despite the attitude I had to sitting down to reading this "book about rabbits," it didn't take long for me fall in love with this book. Hard.

I couldn't agree more with the reviewer who talked about the goosebumps he feels every times he reads the opening lines "The primroses were over." The whole book is truely sensational and a classic for a reason.

An amazing, emotive, and beatifully written read. I am now 23, still a fan of blood, gore and all things violent and it's still, by quite a long way, my favourite book - the only close contenders being the Dark Materials Trilogy.

Kudos to your genius, Richard Adams, for making a "book about rabbits" one of the all time greats

Brilliant!, 03 May 2002
A fantastic story lovingly brought to life. Andrew Sachs is a wonderful reader, and gives each character life.The music in this is lovely, and adds to the drama. It is a pity that its been abridged, but this has to be one of the best audiobooks ever! Buy it!

My kind of fantasy novel, 19 Sep 2008
I first read Shardik when I was 11 and have re-read it at least three times as an adult. The normal fantasy tropes of elves, wizards and dark lords with undead armies are a complete turn off for me - Shardik is far more my cup of tea, being a human world with convincing human motives and politics. T