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Manny's Reviews > The Tale of Peter Rabbit

The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter
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really liked it
bookshelves: children, why-not-call-it-poetry, parody-homage
Read 3 times. Last read January 1, 1966.

Inspired by Ramblefoot , a gritty, naturalistic, no-holds-barred depiction of the lives of wolves, I couldn't help wondering if similar treatments weren't possible for other classics. Here's an extract from my draft rabbit novel, provisionally entitled Nojacket:
Peter finished his breakfast, but the insipid, cloying taste of the dead dandelion leaves left him unsatisfied. The craving was starting to build up in him again. He needed to veg out. Suddenly, he started as a voice came from right behind him.

"We're looking for blackberries. You want to come, Peter?"

It was his half-sister Flopsy, a precociously formed doe. She was not yet one summer old, yet already her haunches had the rounded look of a mature female. She exuded an enticing, musky odor. As if by chance, she turned her head so that their whiskers brushed, and seductively twitched her nose. For a moment, Peter was tempted, but the other urge was too strong.

"Sorry, Flopsy. I've got... stuff to do."

With one bound, he had scooped up his blue jacket, the mark of the civilized young rabbit, and was out of the burrow before he could change his mind. He lolloped down the path as he had done many times before, then, looking both ways, he eased his trembling body under the hard wood of the gate. He was on McGregor territory.

He straightened up, all his senses maximally alert, but there were no warning signals yet. With the practiced ease of the professional thief, he took the short-cut through the gooseberry bushes and emerged directly in the vegetable garden. His eyes glistened with desire as he saw the huge, plump lettuces. No longer caring about safety, he immediately attacked the nearest one, slicing into it with his razor-sharp front teeth. Green juices ran down his chin as he gorged himself on the unresisting leaves. His eyes half-closed, he chewed, swallowed, bit again, forcing the food down his throat as fast as he could eat until he reached the tender heart. In less time than one could believe possible, the lettuce was no more than an eviscerated husk. Peter contemptuously tossed away the bitter stem and then started on the radishes. Their tart, peppery red flesh contrasted delightfully with the sweet lettuce, and he frenziedly ate one after another. His swollen stomach hurt, but the pleasure was still stronger.

Peter eats radishes

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Reading Progress

Finished Reading (Paperback Edition)
Started Reading (Paperback Edition)
January 1, 1964 – Finished Reading (Paperback Edition)
Started Reading
January 1, 1966 – Finished Reading
January 7, 2009 – Shelved (Paperback Edition)
October 12, 2009 – Shelved as: why-not-call-it-... (Paperback Edition)
December 4, 2011 – Shelved
December 4, 2011 – Shelved as: why-not-call-it-poetry
December 4, 2011 – Shelved as: children
December 4, 2011 – Shelved as: parody-homage
October 28, 2020 – Shelved (Paperback Edition)
October 28, 2020 – Shelved as: australia (Paperback Edition)
October 28, 2020 – Shelved as: children (Paperback Edition)
October 28, 2020 – Shelved as: fun-with-lara (Paperback Edition)
October 28, 2020 – Shelved as: spanish-and-italian (Paperback Edition)

Comments Showing 1-11 of 11 (11 new)

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Chris After this great review, dare we hope for a twee Potteresque review of Watership Down?


Manny Thank you! I'll see if I feel inspired. And I can assure you that even if Ramblefoot maybe isn't as well-written as Watership Down, it certainly makes up for it in terms of gritty realism.


Nandakishore Mridula Manny, this review is seriously off-topic. Shame on you!


Manny Nandakishore, I also admit to reproducing the picture without first obtaining permission. I shall not be surprised if you run after me shouting "Stop, thief!" and waving a rake.


Nandakishore Mridula I might do that. I love that pic. Peter Rabbit was the first book I ever read (in translation of course), but the pictures were the same.


Manny I shall hide in a watering can. You won't catch me.


charmay fryar-robinson batman


Manny charmay fryar-robinson wrote: "batman"

Ah, yes, Batman vs Superman is so played out. Batman vs Peter... now there's an interesting pairing. My money is on the wily little rabbit.


message 10: by Becca (new)

Becca Clever -- what a hoot!


Manny Thank you Beth, but I am rather disturbed by your avatar. Are you sure that a good little bunny like you should be reading this kind of post?


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