Watership DownWatership Down
Score Classic
What it's about
Fiver, a small, anxious rabbit, has a vision that their warren is about to be destroyed. Only a few rabbits believe him, but they leave, led by Fiver's brother Hazel. Their journey across the English countryside in search of a new home takes them through farms, roads, and warrens with sinister ways, including a militaristic one ruled by the tyrant General Woundwort. Along the way, they tell stories of El-ahrairah, the rabbits' legendary trickster hero.
Why it's worth reading
It's one of the best-selling books ever, about 50 million copies, a #1 New York Times bestseller and a pick on the BBC's Big Read. It's an adventure story with the weight of an epic.
You'll love it if you liked
The Hobbit
Charlotte's Web
The Lord of the RingsGood to know
It's not just a children's book, and it's violent in places. The rabbits have their own words, explained in a glossary.
By the numbers
- Readers64 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics0 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Bestseller85 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Buzz0 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
Where it ranks
- #66 of the 459 fantasy books we rank
- #167 of the 762 classics we rank
- #532 of the 2,816 books we rank
Why it made the list
Reads as
Adventurous
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The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
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Quick answers
Is Watership Down worth reading?
Yes. It's one of the best-selling books ever, about 50 million copies, a #1 New York Times bestseller and a pick on the BBC's Big Read. It ranks #532 of the 2,816 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 78.0 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is Watership Down about?
Fiver, a small, anxious rabbit, has a vision that their warren is about to be destroyed. Only a few rabbits believe him, but they leave, led by Fiver's brother Hazel. Their journey across the English countryside in search of a new home takes them through farms, roads, and warrens with sinister ways, including a militaristic one ruled by the tyrant General Woundwort. Along the way, they tell stories of El-ahrairah, the rabbits' legendary trickster hero.
How long does it take to read Watership Down?
About 10 hours (385 pages), or about 3 weeks at 30 minutes a day.
What should I read after Watership Down?
If you liked it, try The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien, Charlotte's Web by E. B. White or The Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien.