Watership Down author Adams dies
WATERSHIP Down author Richard Adams has died aged 96.
He “passed away peacefully” at 10pm on Christmas Eve, according to a family statement.
It said: “Richard’s muchloved family announce with sadness that their dear father, grandfather, and great-grandfather passed away peacefully at 10pm on Christmas Eve.”
The statement also quoted a section of the book about a rabbit’s death.
Adams, who grew up in Berkshire, penned the classic book at the age of 52 after encouragement from his children.
He conjured up the tale about the plight of rabbits whose home is under threat while reading bedtime stories to his daughters, Rosamond and Juliet.
The book was published in 1972 and has since sold tens of millions of copies.
It was also transformed for the big screen, and its theme tune – Art Garfunkel’s Bright Eyes – was at one for six weeks in 1979.
Adams later admitted the depiction of his rabbits was not quite as he had imagined.
A spokesman for Oneworld publications, which brought out a new illustrated edition of Watership Down said: “Very saddened to hear that Richard Adams has passed. His books will be cherished for years to come.”
A remake of the film by the BBC and Netflix was announced in April and it is expected to air over four one-hour parts next year.