The rabbits instigate a daring plan to infiltrate and rescue several does from Efrafa – but though it succeeds, the General has tracked them to Watership Down, and plans a terrible revenge … The Characters They learn of an overcrowded warren called Efrafa, but it is ruled by the tyrannical General Woundwort, who will not permit anyone to leave. With a few others, they set off in search of a new home – to hills, many miles distant, called Watership Down.Īfter many perils the group reach the Down, but Hazel knows their long-term survival depends on persuading does to join them. Most refuse to listen, except for Hazel, Fiver’s eldest brother. All the locations exist, and as the story opens it is May, and the mating season … The Storyįiver, a young rabbit, has visions that his home, the Sandleford Warren, will be destroyed in an imminent, inexplicable disaster. Told in four parts, each chapter begins with a quotation by sources ranging from Aeschylus to Napoleon. His gamble paid off, and word soon spread.

It was he who suggested the title, and though he couldn’t afford to pay Adams an advance, he did ensure a review copy went to every prominent critic.

Rex Collings, a small London publisher, finally took a chance. They insisted he write them down – and 18 months later, the manuscript was submitted to publishing houses. It came into being as stories Richard Adams told his two young daughters during long car journeys. For this Book Versus Film we’re taking a stroll through real Hampshire countryside searching for fictional rabbits, but who gets to rule the warren? Let’s hop to it… The Bookįor a modern classic, Watership Down started life without literary any intentions. It’s Easter, and that means bunnies – and that means Watership Down.

Watership book