logo

66 pages 2 hours read

Richard Adams

Watership Down

Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 1972

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Before You Read

Roundup icon

Super Short Summary

Watership Down by Richard Adams follows a group of rabbits led by Hazel as they escape their threatened warren, search for a new home, and defend it against various enemies. Their journey entails numerous challenges, including dangerous terrain, hostile predators, and encounters with other rabbit societies, ultimately finding refuge on Watership Down. The book includes scenes of violence involving animals.

Reviews & Readership

Roundup icon

Review Roundup

Richard Adams' Watership Down is widely praised for its rich, imaginative storytelling, compelling characters, and themes of adventure and survival. Critics commend its emotional depth and allegorical layers, though some find its pacing uneven and its violent scenes intense for younger audiences. Overall, it's a beloved classic that resonates with readers of all ages.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Watership Down?

Ideal for readers who appreciate epic adventures with rich world-building, Watership Down by Richard Adams will captivate fans of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit and George Orwell's Animal Farm. This novel seamlessly blends mythic storytelling with poignant themes of survival and community through the journey of a band of rabbits.

Book Details
Pages

478

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

England • Mid-20th century

Publication Year

1972

Audience

YA

Recommended Reading Age

12+ years

Lexile Level

880L

Continue your reading experience

Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.