Fiver may be small, but he has a powerful gift. Fiver, you see, is a seer. He is also a rabbit. And because of his powers, he has seen something that nobody else has; something that will change the course of history for his entire civilization. He has seen, to put it simply, a vision foretelling the complete destruction of the warren.
Along with his brother, Hazel, Fiver does his best to convince the chief rabbit that something evil is coming, and that they have to evacuate. But the chief turns a deaf ear to their warnings, refusing to listen, let alone act. Worried and dejected, Fiver and Hazel determine that their only course of action is to set out with a few of their friends in search of a new home.
The road is not without its perils, however. Their party has barely exited the warren before they face their first obstacle: The Owsla, a caste of military rabbits, are sent to stop them, and they barely escape with their lives. From there onward, it is a non-stop adventure. Fiver's visions lead the band to their final destination, and the various talents of the party members all come in handy as they face various obstacles on their journey to Watership Down. And even if they arrive safely, their adventure will have only just begun.
Richard Adams, born in 1920 is an English novelist, best known for writing Watership Down. He was a student of modern history before joining the British Army during World War II, and after the war he completed his studies and became a member of the British Civil Service. Watership Down, his first book, was published in 1972, and by 1974 he was a full-time author. Having written over 20 books in his decades long career, Adams is now semi-retired, and lives with his wife in Whitchurch, Hampshire.
Fiver could sense danger. Something terrible was going to happen to the warren; he felt sure of it. They had to leave immediately. So begins a long and perilous journey of survival for a small band of rabbits. As the rabbits skirt danger at every turn, we become acquainted with the band, its humorous characters and its compelling culture, complete with its own folk history and mythos. Fiver’s vision finally leads them to Watership Down, an upland meadow. But here they face their most difficult challenges of all.
A stirring epic of courage and survival against the odds, Watership Down has become a beloved classic for all ages. Both an exciting adventure story and an involving allegory about freedom, ethics, and human nature, it has delighted generations with its unique and charming world, winning many awards and being adapted to film, television, and theater.
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