Rating: 
Summary: Lacks the Magic of the First
Review: Twenty-four years ago, Richard Adams wrote WATERSHIP DOWN, an enduring fantasy about the lives and culture of rabbits. Now, many rabbit generations later, Adams has released TALES FROM WATERSHIP DOWN. Having thoroughly enjoying the first one I had to read this one.The book begins with stories of El-ahrairah, the great rabbit hero of legend. From there we get a pair of modern tales and then it returns to El-ahrairah again and finally ends up with some more stories of Hazel, Fiver, Bigwig and the other rabbits of Watership Down. The individual stories are entertaining. I always enjoyed the El-ahrairah stories. But when the book moves to the present it loses it. Sure, I was curious as to what happened to the Watership rabbits, but I had hoped for more. This reads more like details of what might happen happily ever after. After the drama of the first book, this reads like a happy couple arguing about decorating. There is no drama, no strife, no plot! I hate to say it but Adams might as well have replaced the Hazel stories with the phrase: The population on the Down grew so some of the rabbits spread to a new warren. Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to give the whole thing away. I was quite disappointed in this book. Maybe it was that I loved the first book. Maybe I felt Adams was a better writer. Maybe many things. But in my opinion there is more substance and worth in the average Lin Carter novel than in this 300 plus pages book where possibly the most entertaining part is the glossary of Lapine Terms. I would not recommend this book. But if you are looking for the literary equivalent of Nutrisweet cotton candy, go ahead and pick it up.
Rating: 
Summary: Worthwhile Read, but Different than Original Novel
Review: This book is not very similar to the original novel, which is what I think makes it so interesting and worthwhile to read. My children definitely prefer the original, but I believe this work has something important to say. Each of the tales is worthy of the telling and the reading.
I probably will not re-read this as I have the original work, but I don't think I should be comparing this novel to the original one in this review. This is good storytelling in-and-of itself and does not need to be put side-by-side with Watership Down.
The shorter tales are excellent quick reading, and make this an easier book to pick up and put down in our busy lives. Much of what the author is saying in these tales is incredibly fascinating. I was particularly drawn to the paradox that the man-smell, which the rabbits would generally use as a reason to outcast one of their own, is actually what saves the warren. The wisdom of the characters to recognize this is nicely woven into the tale. As with his other works, Richard Adams shows incredible insight into our natural world, especially that of community living animals. It is nice to see humanity in these creatures, or rather theirs reflected in us. (I am not sure which is more accurate.)
This is a nice collection of touching tales that definitely have something significant to say. As long as readers are not expecting a repeat of the first book, I believe this will be an enjoyable experience. Just don't expect it to read like a sequel.
Rating: 
Summary: Disappointment
Review: I loved "Watership Down" and found this to be a disappointment and slightly waste of time.
Rating: 
Summary: A Continuation of the Novel
Review: This book features a series of short stories based in the lapine-centric world created by Richard Adams. You get to hear quite a bit of rabbit lore as well as find out what happened to the main characters in the previous book. If you liked the first book, this one should prove a great companion. Although it's meant for kids I was able to enjoy it thoroughly
Rating:
Summary: Lacks the Magic of the First
Review: Twenty-four years ago, Richard Adams wrote WATERSHIP DOWN, an enduring fantasy about the lives and culture of rabbits. Now, many rabbit generations later, Adams has released TALES FROM WATERSHIP DOWN. Having thoroughly enjoying the first one I had to read this one. The book begins with stories of El-ahrairah, the great rabbit hero of legend. From there we get a pair of modern tales and then it returns to El-ahrairah again and finally ends up with some more stories of Hazel, Fiver, Bigwig and the other rabbits of Watership Down. The individual stories are entertaining. I always enjoyed the El-ahrairah stories. But when the book moves to the present it loses it. Sure, I was curious as to what happened to the Watership rabbits, but I had hoped for more. This reads more like details of what might happen happily ever after. After the drama of the first book, this reads like a happy couple arguing about decorating. There is no drama, no strife, no plot! I hate to say it but Adams might as well have replaced the Hazel stories with the phrase: The population on the Down grew so some of the rabbits spread to a new warren. Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to give the whole thing away. I was quite disappointed in this book. Maybe it was that I loved the first book. Maybe I felt Adams was a better writer. Maybe many things. But in my opinion there is more substance and worth in the average Lin Carter novel than in this 300 plus pages book where possibly the most entertaining part is the glossary of Lapine Terms. I would not recommend this book. But if you are looking for the literary equivalent of Nutrisweet cotton candy, go ahead and pick it up.
Rating:
Summary: Good reading, but not what I had expected
Review: For someone who considers Watership Down to be one of the greatest books I have ever read, it took a long time for me to pick up this continuation. Not so much a sequel, "Tales" starts up where the original left off, with a healthy and happy warren full of hope for the coming years. I guess I was expecting a new adventure with Hazel, Bigwig and the lot, but instead was treated to new rabbits and some of their adventures (and misadventures, at that). This book won't be as meaningful to readers unfamiliar with the original story, but any opportunity to revisit with old and cherished friends is worth taking.
Rating: 
Summary: Where are the rabbits tales?
Review: I personally loved Watership Down so that is naturally why I picked up this book. However, it was disappointingly less new storyline than I expected. In fact the first half of the book was just the rabbits telling more adventures of El Ahrairah. Now this was not boring, yet I expected another great adventure or at least a series of adventures about Fiver, Hazel, and the others. I still recommend it to those who truly liked the first book, but do not expect the same rush that you got from the first book.
| 
