graphic novel – Page 5

Caramel reviews Watership Down: The Graphic Novel by Richard Adams, James Sturm, and Joe Sutphin

Many years ago, over the course of a few days, the book bunnies listened all together as a family to an unabridged version of Watership Down, the 1972 classic by Richard Adams. Recently Caramel got his paws on a new (2023) graphic novel adaptation of the book by James Sturm and Joe Sutphin and read it over the course of a few hours. Today he is talking to Sprinkles about the book.

Caramel reviews Watership Down: The Graphic Novel, written by Richard Adams, adapted by James Sturm, and illustrated by Joe Sutphin. — Caramel reviews *Watership Down: The Graphic Novel*, written by Richard Adams, adapted by James Sturm, and illustrated by Joe Sutphin.

Sprinkles: I remember how we listened to this whole story when you all were so much younger. So when I saw that there was a graphic novel adaptation, I knew you would want to read it.

Caramel: Yes, I guess you were right! You know me well.

S: I think I do! Okay can you tell us a bit about the story?

C: Sure. In this book there are bunnies like us, but they are wild and are trying to escape from a great evil that was foretold by one of them named Fiver.

S: Oh, I think I remember Fiver. Isn’t he the dreamer one? Kind of like an oracle?

C: Yeah, kind of. He can see the future and warns the others of the dangers so they can survive.

S: Okay, so here is a group of rabbits living in a warren. That is, my dictionary tells me, a network of interconnecting rabbit burrows. And they are living a normal wild rabbit life. But then some great evil thing happens, is that it?

C: Yes, it is kind of like that. However not everyone believes Fiver, and so not all of them make it.

S: Well, I can see how not everyone would immediately believe some little bunny saying something terrible will happen, without evidence. But his brother believes him, right?

C: Yep, so Hazel, that is Fiver’s brother, gathers everyone who believes Fiver and they run.

S: So they leave their warren and wander away, and try to find a new place to settle down at?

C: Yep. Along the way they find a different warren in which there are some not-so-nice bunnies who try to kill the main character bunnies, but thankfully the good bunnies make it out, and they get two new bunnies from that warren.

S: Cool! Okay, so Fiver is the dreamer, oracle bunny. Hazel is the main leader bunny. Are there other characters that you especially liked or remembered from when we listened to the book those many years ago?

C: Fiver is my favorite, I don’t know why but he is my favorite bunny in the book.

S: He is a gentle soul, as far as I remember. He is sensitive and kind.

C: Yeah, but he can also see the future, and that is cool.

S: Yes, that is really cool, I agree. I do remember another character, Bigwig, I think. He is a fighter, and a good one too.

C: Yeah, he is also really cool, but Fiver is still my favorite character. There is also a big bird who helps the bunnies occasionally, His name is Kehaar.

S: That is cool! I liked that character, too.

Caramel is reading Watership Down: The Graphic Novel, written by Richard Adams, adapted by James Sturm, and illustrated by Joe Sutphin. — Caramel is reading *Watership Down: The Graphic Novel*, written by Richard Adams, adapted by James Sturm, and illustrated by Joe Sutphin.

S: Okay, so when we listened to this book many years ago, we had no images to attach to the main characters. But a graphic novel of course will have faces attached to each character. Did these work for you? Did you like the illustrations? Is the world of Fiver and Hazel how you had imagined it to be?

C: Yeah, it is a lot like what I thought. The bunnies are all very realistic looking, too, and exactly how I imagined them to be.

S: That sounds great! I was just going to ask you if they were more cartoonish or more realistic. So this was perhaps the longest graphic novel you have ever read, right?

C: Yep, it was 382 pages!

S: That is long for a graphic novel. But the original book is a very long one, too, so that makes sense. Anyways, did you know that the original book was banned in some places because it was too violent and there was a lot of brutality depicted explicitly?

C: Oh no. I did not think it was too violent.

S: Well, then again, you do like the Wings of Fire series and those are also kind of violent. So maybe your generation of bunnies is a bit more used to violence…

C: No, I would hope not.

S: I see what you mean Caramel. Yes you are right, it is not a good thing to get used to violence. Maybe I should have said that you can handle some more violence. I think that especially when they made the animated movie in 1978, the movie started out looking like a typical Disney movie, with cute bunnies who speak and are living in this idyllic natural place, but then things get dark very fast, and terrible things happen, bunnies killing each other, getting killed by humans, and so on. So maybe it shocked people a lot more back then.

C: Maybe.

S: I also read that it was banned in China for a while because it depicted animals and humans as equals or at least somewhat on a similar level, and this was unacceptable.

C: Hmm, they probably would not like Animal Farm either, then. Or us.

S: Yes, you have a point there Caramel. Bunnies talking about books would probably not be okay. Anyways, we are bunnies who love to read and talk about books. So let us get back to the book. So overall, did you enjoy this graphic novel?

C: Yes, greatly. And I recommend it to all young bunnies who like to read about other bunnies being heroic.

S: Cool! Okay let us wrap this up then. What would you like to tell our readers?

C: Stay tuned for more book bunny reviews!

Caramel enjoyed reading Watership Down: The Graphic Novel, written by Richard Adams, adapted by James Sturm, and illustrated by Joe Sutphin, and recommends the book to all young bunnies who like to read about other bunnies being heroic. — Caramel enjoyed reading *Watership Down: The Graphic Novel*, written by Richard Adams, adapted by James Sturm, and illustrated by Joe Sutphin, and recommends the book to all young bunnies who like to read about other bunnies being heroic.

Caramel reviews Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales #3: The Underground Abductor by Nathan Hale

Caramel has read and reviewed One Dead Spy and Treaties, Trenches, Mud, and Blood, the first two books in Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales series, a series of historical graphic novels that cover a variety of historical events. Today he talked to Sprinkles about The Underground Abductor, the third book in our Nathan Hale collection.

[We were hoping to go through these books in order, but Caramel happened to first read a three-book sampler which was made up of the first, fourth, and the fifth books! So the numbering of these posts is mainly about the order Caramel is reading them in. The Underground Abductor, reviewed in today’s post, is the fifth ever book in the series, originally published in 2015.]

Caramel reviews Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales #3: The Underground Abductor by Nathan Hale. — Caramel reviews *Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales #3: The Underground Abductor* by Nathan Hale.

Sprinkles: So Caramel, this was the third book in our collection of Nathan Hale books. And now that you have read it, can you tell us a bit about it?

Caramel: Sure. this is about Harriet Tubman, a woman who was a slave but escaped and then she worked hard to help many other slaves escape through a network of secret paths and secret safe houses called the Underground Railroad. She also worked as a spy in the American Civil War. She was very brave.

S: So tell me more. Does the book start from Tubman’s childhood?

C: Yes. And then it goes on to speak about the first time that she ran away. Then she came back and helped her family escape. And then she kept doing it. Then when the Civil War started, she helped with the war, and spied for the Union side.

S: That does sound really brave, Caramel. I am glad you are learning about a historical figure like Tubman. Did you learn about her from this book?

C: I had heard of her before but I learned a lot more about her from the book.

S: So I am assuming this is again a very factful book.

C: Yes. And as you know, I like facts, so I like this book.

S: You also like graphic novels, and this is one, so I am assuming that helps, too. Right?

C: Yes, it does. I like seeing the events as they happen. It adds some humor too.

Caramel is reading Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales #3: The Underground Abductor by Nathan Hale. — Caramel is reading *Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales #3: The Underground Abductor* by Nathan Hale.

S: So is the main character Tubman herself narrating the story, or is there a different narrator telling us her story?

C: The narrator is still Nathan Hale, from the other books. The fictitious version of the spy from the first book.

S: I see. That makes sense. After all, these are his tales! Are there any other connections to the other books?

C: Yup. There is the Hangman and the British Commander.

S: Wait, who are they?

C: They are characters from the first book. The Hangman is the one who is supposed to end up hanging Nathan Hale and the British Commander is the one who has ordered his hanging.

S: So wait, we know Hale was hanged. But all these stories, then he is telling them before his hanging?

C: Kind of.

S: Sounds a bit morbid honestly.

C: A little. But it is also funny. Because both the Hangman and the Commander are very funny characters. And they say some really funny things.

S: I see. So they are kind of like the audience?

C: Yes.

S: Okay, Caramel. Thank you for telling me this story. It seems like you really enjoyed the book.

C: Yes. I really enjoyed all three of the books. Maybe I will get to read some more. Hint hint.

S: Okay, we will see. Let us wrap up this review then. What would you like to tell our readers?

C: Stay tuned for more book bunny reviews!

Caramel enjoyed reading Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales #3: The Underground Abductor by Nathan Hale and is keen to read more from this exciting and factful series. — Caramel enjoyed reading *Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales #3: The Underground Abductor* by Nathan Hale and is keen to read more from this exciting and factful series.

Caramel reviews Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales #2: Treaties, Trenches, Mud, and Blood by Nathan Hale

[We are back! The book bunnies were hit by a mysterious bug in the middle of October so had to take some time off. We are all finally feeling up for some reading and blogging again. Sorry for the disruption!]

Two weeks ago, Caramel reviewed the first book in the Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales series, recommended to the book bunnies by one of our friendly readers. This week he is talking to Sprinkles about the second book in the series, Treaties, Trenches, Mud, and Blood, first published in 2014.

[We were hoping to go through these books in order, but Caramel happened to first read a three-book sampler which was made up of the first, fourth, and the fifth books! So the numbering of these posts is mainly about the order Caramel is reading them in. Treaties, Trenches, Mud, and Blood, reviewed in today’s post, is the fourth ever book in the series, originally published in 2014.]

Caramel reviews Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales #2: Treaties, Trenches, Mud, and Blood by Nathan Hale. — Caramel reviews *Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales #2: Treaties, Trenches, Mud, and Blood* by Nathan Hale.

Sprinkles: So here we are, ready to talk about the second Nathan Hale book. So tell us a bit about the book Caramel.

Caramel: This is about World War One. Apparently it is one of the worst wars ever, in terms of how many people died.

S: I agree. It was also a very impactful event, leading to the fall of many powers and rise of others. But then, is the book a basic history of the war?

C: It is a comic book, like the first book. So it is history, but told in a different way. Many of the people are not people. I mean, they use different kinds of animals to represent all sorts of people. Like there are bird-faced soldiers, lion-faced people, and so on. I think it is called “anthropomorphized animals” because they are supposed to represent humans.

S: So it is kind of like Maus, the book Marshmallow reviewed about the Holocaust, where the humans were replaced by cats, mice, and pigs?

C: Yes! But I have to say that book is so much more depressing.

S: But are they consistent with the animal depictions? Like all dogs are some type of people?

C: Well, kind of. The Russians are bears, the British are bulldogs, the Germans are eagles, the Ottomans are otter, and the Americans are bunnies, like us!

S: That is interesting! I guess in a war with so many different groups involved, it kind of makes sense. It would be really hard to distinguish different nationalities by their uniforms for example.

C: I agree. I think it is clever.

Caramel is reading Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales #2: Treaties, Trenches, Mud, and Blood by Nathan Hale. — Caramel is reading *Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales #2: Treaties, Trenches, Mud, and Blood* by Nathan Hale.

S: I can see how you would like a book like this. You like facts, so you would of course like historical stuff.

C: Yes, and I really am curious about World War One. The book is full of facts! For example, I learned that the U.S. army did not have enough uniforms to go around at the time when the U.S. entered the war.

S: I did not know that! Interesting! So the book is really a story of the war, you say. Does it start at 1914 and end at 1918? Or does it go back and forward a bit so you get some context?

C: It goes from 1914 to 1918, mostly in the time order. It jumps from one battle to another though, and you learn lots of facts here and there, like I learned about the Unkillable Soldier.

S: I know you like your facts!

C: Yep.

S: So it is pure history?

C: Well, they do make up some dialogue. But they also sprinkle in some well-known quotes, like this one.

S: I see. So all in all, this was a good read for you?

C: Yes.

S: Do you want to read another Nathan Hale book or another book about the War?

C: Yes. Maybe I can take some time off from war stuff. The next Nathan Hale book sounds good though.

S: That is settled then. You read that and we talk about it next week.

C: Unless we all get sick again!

S: I hope we won’t. We should be immune by now.

C: Well, there are always other bugs.

S: You are right, but I do hope we will be able to continue with the blog. This was the first time in five years that we missed our scheduled posting times…

C: I know you are really bummed by that…

S: Yes. But I am glad we were able to start again today. So thank you for talking to me about your book!

C: You are welcome! I always like to talk about books!

S: So as we wrap up this review, what would you like to tell our readers?

C: Stay tuned for more book bunny reviews! And it won’t be too long!

S: Hopefully…

Caramel enjoyed reading Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales #2: Treaties, Trenches, Mud, and Blood by Nathan Hale and is ready for more history! — Caramel enjoyed reading *Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales #2: Treaties, Trenches, Mud, and Blood* by Nathan Hale and is ready for more history!

Caramel reviews Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales #1: One Dead Spy by Nathan Hale

Today Caramel is talking to Sprinkles about the 2012 graphic novel One Dead Spy, the first book in the Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales series, recommended to the book bunnies by one of our friendly readers.

Sprinkles: So Caramel, you were talking about finding a new series last week. It looks like you found one!

Caramel: Yup.

S: So tell me about this new series of yours.

C: This is a series called Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales. There are many books in it. They are all graphic novels about some history stuff.

S: Hmm, so why are they called Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales? Do they have something to do with Nathan Hale, the famous American spy?

C: Well, kind of but also kind of not. I mean, the books are written by a guy named Nathan Hale, so it makes sense that the series would have his name on it.

S: I see.

C: But also the very first book in the series, the one we are talking about today, is about the spy Nathan Hale.

S: Oh, that is neat! So a guy named Nathan Hale writing a book about another guy named Nathan Hale.

C: Yep.

S: So this One Dead Spy is the story of Nathan Hale the spy, right?

C: Yep.

S: I see. So tell us about the story a bit.

C: The book starts with him being on the gallows about to get hanged. He says his famous words: “I regret that I have but one life to give for my country.” And then the gallows turn into a history book and then the book eats Nathan Hale.

S: Wait, what?

C: Yup.

S: I’m sure that’s not how it happened.

C: Not in real life. But this is fiction, Sprinkles, don’t forget.

Caramel is reading Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales #1: One Dead Spy by Nathan Hale. — Caramel is reading *Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales #1: One Dead Spy* by Nathan Hale.

S: Alright, after the book eats Hale, what happens then?

C: Then he comes back and he knows the entirety of U.S. history. The rest of the book is about the American Revolutionary War.

S: Oh, then if he will be narrating the other books, too, I can see why the series would be called Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales.

C: Yup.

S: Did you know about Nathan Hale before reading this book?

C: I learned a little in school. But also remember, in the Spy School series, Ben’s best friend Erica is Erica Hale, and she is a descendant of Nathan Hale. So that is fiction, too, but I think reading that made me remember the school stuff better.

S: Hmm, that is cool, actually.

C: It is. Reading is useful, Sprinkles!

S: I agree! So tell me, this is a graphic novel about history. Did you like this format for this kind of story?

C: Yes. I love graphic novels and I love facts. So this is basically two things I love put together.

S: That is wonderful Caramel. I am so happy you found a new series!

C: Me, too!

S: So maybe it is time for you to move on to the next book. And we can wrap this up then. What would you like to tell our readers?

C: Stay tuned for more book bunny reviews!

Caramel loved reading Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales #1: One Dead Spy by Nathan Hale and is ready for the next book in the series. — Caramel loved reading *Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales #1: One Dead Spy* by Nathan Hale and is ready for the next book in the series.