December Meme - 26th December

[dizzojay]

wings128 said, tell us about a book that has stayed with, one that you go to for rereads, one whose characters kept you thinking about them, long after your first read.

Yes, I do have such a book, and it's Watership Down.

I've always been fond of rabbits and I had several pet ones through my childhood and into my early adulthood, and the fact that Watership Down was a book where the central characters were rabbits was what initally attracted me to it.

But the first time I read it, I was completely enchanted.  It is so beautifully written, painting gorgeous pictures of the English countryside, and the characters are perfectly written, each in their own way strong and resourceful but overwhelmingly vulnerable, just as rabbits are.

It tells a story that perfectly fits the rigid society in which rabbits exist, with a beautiful folklore threaded all the way through it, giving the rabbits a faith and a belief system which gives their story even more depth and colour.

Of course, mankind plays a part, and it's not a good part, but it's just one of the many battles that the heroes have to face before they can find their peace.

It's a wonderful book and I've never been without a copy of it ever since that first reading.  I'd recommend it to anyone!

Thanks for playing x

Comments

[septembers-coda.livejournal.com]

I feel just the same about this book. It's on my short-list of re-reads, too. BL and I have even read it out loud to each other, which makes it part of a very special elite group. Adore the writing, the characters, the archetypes, everything. We even quote things in rabbit-language from time to time.

[dizzojay.livejournal.com]

Some of the rabbit-words are epic, aren't they?
I will never stop loving 'hrududu':)

[septembers-coda.livejournal.com]

Oh, yes, hrududu is a classic! BL and I say "hrair" a lot. Sometimes if one of us asks the other how many of something there are, and there are a lot, but we don't feel like counting. :-)

[amberdreams.livejournal.com]

I've read it a few times years ago, and it's ok but I wouldn't read it again now.

[dizzojay.livejournal.com]

I haven't read it for a few years, but it's always going to be on my kindle for the time I want to pick it up again!

[blackrabbit42.livejournal.com]

<3 <3 <3

[dizzojay.livejournal.com]

:)

[metallidean-grl.livejournal.com]

I think I read this book as a child, but have no memory of anything about it. Maybe someday I'll read it again.

[dizzojay.livejournal.com]

It really is a charming book!

[wings128.livejournal.com]

Is Watership Down on UK school reading lists or something? :)
I haven't read it, but when I was a kid I caught a glimpse of the movie, and now whenever someone mentions it I have visions of combine harvesters, screaming rabbits and blood. *shudders*

But I totally understand having that one book that's always there, a warm cozy nest to snuggle into and feel at home, no matter what's happening in this reality.

[dizzojay.livejournal.com]

It was on school reading lists when I was at school, I don't know whether it still is.

The beginning of the book is very dark and dramatic - that's where the combine harvesters come in. That's what sets the rabbits off on their journey!

[milly-gal.livejournal.com]

I feel exactly the same about this book, it's on my list of things I read often and still find nuances that escaped me the first time. It's heartbreaking in all it's glory but there's a vein of hope, of strength that runs throughout it :)

[dizzojay.livejournal.com]

I agree, it's a real 'band of brothers' type story!

[jj1564.livejournal.com]

I loved this book and the film too - all join in now - "Bright Eyes, burning like fire, bright eyes..." but I haven't read it in years, I might have to revisit now you've jogged my memory!