1.21.2014

A surprise on the library shelf

Looking at a list of my top 10 favorite books, "Watership Down" by Richard Adams is at the very top. I have read and re-read it over the years and each time it does not disappoint. Recently I was at the library waiting to checkout books, not really focusing on anything when my eye happened to spot this, "Tales from Watership Down" published in 1996. What?! A sequel?! How had I not known about this? Of course it came home that day. But then it sat and sat. I just couldn't pick it up. What if if was not as good as the original? I finally was determined to read it after two notices from the library that they might want their book back soonish. 

It's not really so much a sequel as a companion book. There are more stories of the sneaky hero of the rabbits, El-ahrairah, and more adventures for Hazel and his friends. You could sandwich this book between the last chapter and epilogue of "Watership Down." While I was scared to read it, I shouldn't have been. It was a delight to revisit old friends. My only problem with this book is that it just ends. Reprinting the epilogue from "Watership Down" would add closure/tie it up neatly. 

British author. British men. I guess I should write about tea next. 

3 comments:

  1. yes you should write about tea!!!!!!! ok I have a confession -- never read Watership Down, I knew it had sad parts when I was young and I was just too scared to read it. ?????

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  2. Hmmm, it does have sad parts (and scary!) but it is only the ending that gets me teary. And yes, I cry every time despite knowing the ending! I have a friend though that has a tough time with books in which people or animals suffer. She's still mad that I told her Harry Potter Book 7 was fine, forgetting about the sufferings the gang faces on the run. She also hasn't read the Hunger Games trilogy. I think you should give it a try. It's a classic. Will recently asked when he can read it and I'm thinking age 10 or 11.

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