I remember being very bored when I read the overlong original novel back in 1985, and the animated movie did nothing to improve my opinion of the story. But this graphic novel adaptation finally made me care about these rabbits and their desire to start a new life of liberty away from oppressive regimes and deadly predators.

It's a thick adaptation -- and heavy enough to give me a little back strain when I tried to read it while walking -- but the plot has been distilled down to the exciting bits and the art is lovely, managing to distinguish most of the large cast of rabbits from each other while still letting them look like real rabbits. ( )

An absolutely beautiful adaptation of the original (which, honestly, I don't remember that well, as I was probably eight or nine when I read it). A useful "Lapine Glossary" is located at the end.

When Fiver has a vision of impending doom, he, Hazel, and a few others leave their warren and strike out on their own, in search of a place of safety and freedom. Throughout are tales of El-ahrairah, told by Dandelion.

Quotes

"And I will proudly tell it. As the old saying goes, 'Our children's children will hear a good story.'" (306)

"A rabbit safe and sound is a rabbit underground." (306)

"Adapting this book often felt less like using our imagination and more like documenting a historical event." -James Sturm ( )

I am always skeptical of adaptations of books I love, but this graphic novel version of Watership Down is, simply, brilliant. Beautifully done, carefully adapted: a complete delight. ( )

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5567009807 ( )