by Richard Adams with decorations by John Lawrence
When last we saw them, the plucky rabbits of Watership Down had survived an attack by the loathsome General Woundwort; 22 years later, Adams finally revisits the colony in this utterly captivating sequel. The characters are as memorable as before—including chief rabbit Hazel and his friend Bigwig, sage veterans of the the Great Siege; the formidable does Flyairth and Hyzenthlay; and especially El-ahrairah, the legendary hero who, Prometheus-like, sought out and won the sense of smell for his fellow rabbits. With stories of pride and folly, love and loyalty, the cruelty of nature and of man—even a lapine lexicon—Adams creates a world that is sensuous and convincing. His rabbits aren't cute and cuddly, but creatures making their ways in the world with dignity. That gives these tales an almost mythic power, and they're moving enough to leave a lump in your throat. (Knopf, $23)
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