RIP Richard Adams author of Watership Down

[Andy_Ross]

The tear-jerking children's classic about a group of rabbits in search of a new home after the destruction of their warren was first published in 1972.

The tale, first told by Adams on a long car journey with his daughters, turned into a best-seller.
Adams, a civil servant from Newbury in Berkshire, also wrote Shardik, The Plague Dogs and The Girl in a Swing.

Watership Down, which he wrote when he was 52, won the Carnegie Medal for children's fiction in the year of publication.
Tens of millions of copies have since been sold around the world.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-38446309

 

[Darat]

At least he was old!

 

[fuelair]

As noted otherwheres, this year sucks!!! and 4 days yet to go.

 

[rdaneel]

(seems appropriate today)

 

[Vortigern99]

My favorite author of all time. I had been expecting his passing for several years, given his age, but the news saddens me nonetheless.

Watership Down. Shardik. Maia. Girl in a Swing. Traveller. Five of the most wonderful, moving, detailed books ever written. I've never read his Plague Dogs but I suspect it's as brilliant as the others.



It's been a rough year.

 

[mifune]

I am a lifelong fan. RIP Richard Adams.

I read Watership Down when I was real young and it scared the ***** out of me. I liked it, a lot, but it is one dark 'childrens' book.

 

[Armitage72]

An extremely dark children's book...hey, lets turn it into an animated film.

I remember when HBO showed the movie. This was back when they pretty much only showed movies, and the spaces between were filled with previews and commentary. One segment had a guy talking about upcoming movies, including Watership Down.
"Parents should be aware that this isn't your typical bunny cartoon. When a rabbit gets its head shot off, another one doesn't pop up to replace it."