By Richard Adams
Genre Modern classic
Pages 474
Recommended by Book club
First sentence The primroses were over.
Synopsis
Fleeing the intrusion of man and led by the prophecies of his brother Fiver, Hazel leads a small group of rabbits to a new warren, facing many dangers and adventures on their way.
What it has going for it
Well, I'm the one who voted our book club read this one so I guess I'll just sound whiny when I tell you I didn't like it. Come on, people, it's a book about bunnies! Still, it was written well and not complete torture to read. The characters were very well developed with unique personalities that managed to make you care about them. Um, yeah that's about it.
What's lacking
Before I read the book, I read the introduction where I learned that the author did not mean for this book to be an allegory or parable and that it was just a story about rabbits. Um, yeah, there was some symbolistic stuff in this one. I'm sure whether the author meant it or not, his beliefs came through in the book. But, if he's going to say it wasn't meant as anything but a story then why the hell should I care about a bunch of dumb bunnies?! And if I'm supposed to feel bad about human effect on nature than maybe rabbits who are a complete nuisance weren't the best animal to use as the MCs. All that aside, my biggest problem with the book was just that I was bored the whole time.
Yea or Nay?
Many people like this one so, sure go ahead and read it, but don't say I didn't warn you.
I just barely finished this. And I have to say that I liked it more than you did. But I must admit that I was plenty bored at times. I had to skim through a great many descriptions of flowers. But I loved those rabbits, especially Hazel and Fiver. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you liked it better than me, it probably made for easier reading.
DeleteI have to say that I love animals, but I'm not sure how I feel about them as main characters in books. I was okay with the ones in Narnia, but only because they weren't the MC. Not sure I'd like this book. But, I guess it's a good thing I didn't have time to read it for book club tonight. I'm still coming, though. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you're coming to book club! I have a book that's from cat's perspectives. I wonder what I'll think of it.
DeleteI'm not a huge fan of reading classics (generally I find them to be boring or slow paced) so unless it comes highly recommended, by a lot of people I usually stay away.
ReplyDeleteI read a book once (For the life of me I cannot remember the title) where the author said the same thing about how there was no symbolism or anything, it's just a story, and I think that's a load of crap! Every book, even a light and fluffy YA book, has some meaning to it. I also think it's impossible for any author to be completely impartial in their writing. Authors are people and people have feelings.
Woohoo! I knew I liked you! I can't stand when authors say that because it is crap. Besides if it's just a story with no point that what's the "point" of me reading it?!
DeleteI know! You write because you have something to say, otherwise you wouldn't write!
DeleteI'm to page 130 or so, and the word that comes to mind so far is... yep... bored. Ugh. I'm so disappointed! But boy, am I ever learning about how rabbits live! :)
ReplyDeleteP.S. Glad to hear someone is coming tonight! I was getting worried I'd be sitting here discussing rabbits all by myself!
LOL! Yeah, I'm coming. I can't wait to rant a little. I guess my expectations were just too high again.
DeleteI wonder why you wanted to read this book if it's about bunnies. Although, I like bunnies, but I'm not convinced I want to read this.
ReplyDeleteI wanted to read it because it's a classic and a lot of people in my family LOVED it. Sigh, I should have known the bunnies would bother me.
DeleteI've always been curious about this one since its a classic and everything. After reading your review it doesn't sound like my cup of tea though! I think I'll just go watch the cartoon or something lol! Man...I really need to join a book club! It sounds like fun!
ReplyDeleteYeah, just watch the cartoon. ;) You could start your own book club.
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