Watership Down: The Graphic Novel

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Adams disagreed, and in 1972, when Watership Down was finally published, he was proven right. People still couldn't decide if it was a kid's book or not, but it was read by all ages. After a few rounds of edits (with input from the estate and Ten Speed) I would blow the thumbnail drawings up, drop in the lettering, and Joe would print those out and use them as a guide for the finished art, or the “bones” for the drawings. Joe: Our time walking those fields and rivers and hills with Juliet, Ros, and Aldo truly was the catalyst. We didn’t have to go online and sift through the thousands of concepts and speculations that are posted regarding Watership Down. We were able to get any factual information we needed from then on, straight from the people who loved and spent time with Richard. People who’ve heard the stories and facts straight from him. Would you mind elaborating on the specific challenges you faced adapting Watership Down? Did any particular adaptive element prove especially difficult? Reading this version of the book has certainly kept me intrigued about the original book, which will move up a little higher on my someday TBR. Okay, look. Look. I’ll consume anything Watership Down. I’ve read the book three times. I’ve read the sequel, “Tales From Watership Down,” just as much! I even read the semi-connected “Plague Dogs.” I’ve watched the original movie countless times (and the “Plague Dogs” movie once, as well). I’ve seen the Netflix series. I’m on a quest to find the 1999 Canadian series, as bad as I’ve heard it was. Hell, I just saw there’s an audiobook version of Tales and bought it in under a minute, holy crap, I’m PSYCHED.

Could it be the fact that this is an adaptation without input from the author? Very possible. James Sturm does admit in the author's notes that there's been omissions from novel to graphic adaptation and that there are cuts in terms of characters and scenes, as well as changes he had to made to fit the visual medium. Watership Down is my favorite book, and I consider it to be one of the very greatest books of all time.” —SF Said, author of Varjak Paw and Tyger

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I appreciate the opportunity afforded me to have an early read of this story by netgalley and Clarkson Potter/Ten Speed Press. The opinions in this review are expressly those of ButIDigressBookClub and are intended for use by my followers and friends when choosing their next book. #butidigress #butidigressbookclub #watershipdown #clarksonpotter #tenspeedpress #tenspeedgraphic #richardadams @james_sturmish @joesutphin #netgalley #netgalleyreviewer #arc #arcs The art style is a bit reminiscent of the original movie, but with a more earthy, sketch-like quality. Not an unfinished quality, but something that feels more organic, a bit more wild. A good job was done to visually differentiate the rabbits, which can be difficult, which such a large cast. A few of the side characters can get a little samey, but you never mistake anyone important. I especially like how Hazel and Fiver, brothers, are quite similar, but can still be easily told apart. They’re related, not identical! It’s hard to explain why the seemingly simple story of a ragtag bunch of rabbits setting on a dangerous odyssey through English countryside has burrowed its way into my heart ever since I was a child and not only held up but got even better on each and every one of quite a few rereads. But capture my heart it did, and I regret nothing.

Which leads to my first issue with this graphic novel: I can't see whatever metaphors or messages it was supposed to deliver. It's simply a story about and with rabbits. Now, before you come tell me the gazillion interpretations of this story from parable to allegory to political thesis, I would kindly remind you that this isn't the novel and most likely there's nuances that simply couldn't be put in illustration. For all I know, this story's message is glaringly obvious in the book. But it isn't in this graphic novel. Not that I could see it, and I tried very hard. I even looked up what the author had said his story was about, and everywhere I looked, he'd say the same: it's simply a story about rabbits, it's not meant to be a parable or anything else. His daughters, for whom he created this story, say the same in interviews: It's just a story. The one note that may seem off to modern sensibilities is that the group of adventurers is all male, and female rabbits are seen as a necessary and practical resource. But females are treated by the group kindly and with respect, even if they are relegated to being minor characters in the story. And he's got a point. Richard Adams fought in World War II. Glimpses of his wartime experiences emerge throughout the book. The rabbit Hazel was based on the author's commanding officer. And there's a lot of fighting and fear of death. Make sure to read about the author/ illustrator ‘Adapting Rabbits’ at the end. It was enlightening to learn their process. I would have preferred this at the beginning to set context, instead of abruptly jumping into such an unusual book. My last suggestion is to take your time looking at the pictures and absorbing the tale. (except for the scratching biting, bloody illustrations.) Rabbit time is different than human time.Wonderful for those seeking re-entry to the forests and meadows of Watership Down, this version is also ideal for those who have yet to step foot in them.” — The Wall Street Journal He just said it was a book that was written for anybody who wanted to read it, and that was anybody from those who were so small they could hardly hold the book, to those who were so old that they could hardly see the print," Mahony says. A story about the lives of rabbits turns out to have many layers James Sturm and Joe Sutphin have managed to draw out the heart of this classic, brilliantly adapting it into the graphic novel form. A wonderful way for new readers to discover the story and for hardened fans to reconnect with Fiver, Hazel, Bigwig, and the gang.” —Joseph Coelho, Waterstones Children’s Laureate 2022–2024 The art is another thing that saves this adaptation. It's beautifully done, and the main rabbits have distinctive features: Hazel's lines are softer (which is why I thought he was a girl rabbit) and his fur is slightly lighter, Fiver has the Crazy Prophet face of a madman, Bigwig has a gruff Clint Eastwood aura, General Woundwort looks like a big bully, and so on. The artist took care to not make all look rabbits indistinguishable, which is appreciated. The artwork delineates the characters better than the writing does, I'd hazard to say. Although leaves remained on the beeches and the sunshine was warm, there was a sense of growing emptiness over the wide space of the down. The flowers were sparser. Here and there a yellow tormentil showed in the grass, a late harebell or a few shreds of purple bloom on a brown, crisping tuft of self-heal...Along the edge of the wood a sheet of wild clematis showed like a patch of smoke, all its sweet-smelling flowers turned to old man's beard...now the blue was high and rare, the sun slipped sooner to the west and, once there, foretold a touch of frost, sinking slow and big and drowsy, crimson as the rose hips that covered the briar.

Can it be read without knowing Richard Adams’ novel? Well, yes — but for Frith’s and El-Ahrairah’s sake, why would you? It’s perfect for the fans of the original story, but for the newcomers I’d suggest to also read the original book to appreciate everything more. Because let me tell you - I’m a certified superfan of Watership Down (Bigwig and Hazel, you are my dream team!) and this looked exactly how I’d ever imagine the story, and if you love the original, I can’t fathom you not loving this as well. Despite the fustiness I detected when I first tried to read it, it turns out the story is very humanistic and even progressive. The group of rabbits are trying to escape bureaucracy and authoritarianism to create a egalitarian society of kindness, and of valuing every member no matter their eccentricities. Their kindness radically extends even to other species, and that ends up working to their advantage. Their benevolence is not a weakness, it is a strength. Ever since, Watership Down has teetered on the cusp between children's fantasy and adult literature. The appearance this month of a graphic novel — a genre that itself appeals to both young and old — only deepens that discussion of who the story is for, and whether children's books were ever meant exclusively for children in the first place. Thanks to NetGalley and Clarkson/Potter/ Ten Speed Press for providing me with a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review. Siblings Hazel and Fiver from Watership Down: The Graphic Novel by Richard Adams, adapted by James Sturm and illustrated by Joe Sutphin. The 2023 graphic novel is the latest adaptation of the 1972 children's classic.The first impression was that this is a story I'd probably have liked better when I was younger and more attuned to enjoying anthropomorphic stories on their own merit. That doesn't necessarily mean I disliked the anthropomorphic aspect of this story, only that I'm perhaps more desensitised to it and it doesn't appeal or speak to me the way it would have when young. I have enjoyed other anthropomorphic stories as an adult, "Maus," "Animal Farm," etc., but those had a symbolism and metaphors that were easy to spot and understand. I do think a good bit of the visual aesthetic of the comic was lifted from the original movie, but it’s more homage than tracing. After all, we’ve got pretty good descriptions of the characters and world from Adams. You can’t stray entirely from the source material. (I’m looking at you, 1999 version.)