There is just something adorable, innocent and naive about sheep. So when I saw a book that described itself as a sheep detective story, I knew it was going to be unique. Most stories in the point of view of animals are for kids, but this story is a funny, sophisticated adult read.
George's flock of sheep are dismayed and confused when they find their sheperd dead in a field with a spade stuck in his chest. Miss Maple, the most clever sheep in glenkill, perhaps the whole world, decides to investigate with the flock. I loved how each sheep has a unique personality and a place in the flock. Mopple the whale is the memory sheep, othello is the mysterious ram with knowledge of the outside world, sir ritchfield is the lead ram, the winter lamb is ostracized by the flock (poor little lamb, he's thought to be a troublemaker) and so on.
One thing that I love is how the sheep are so confused about the concept of God. They think that the local priest is actually named God, and then during george's funeral there is a quote that I find really hilarious because the sheep think that God buries dead bodies in his garden. The author also writes well in the perspective of sheep. She doesn't give them human thoughts; the sheep are mystified about the strange ways of humans and the things that motivate them.
After I read watership down, all that I wanted to do was find a bunny and hug it. So now that I've read three bags full, I just really really want to go and find a big fluffy sheep (like cloud) and give it a big hug :p