Puffin to release 50th anniversary special edition of Watership Down with Miller foreword

Puffin is celebrating the 50th anniversary of Watership Down by Richard Adams with a new edition featuring a foreword by Madeline Miller.

It will be released on 18th August, ahead of the November 2022 anniversary.

Miller, author of The Song of Achilles and Circe (Bloomsbury), has written an introduction to the book in which she comments: “For half a century, Watership Down has been winning over children and adults alike. The book’s message is simple but powerful: the world can be a dangerous place, and there is no one coming to save you. Yet in kindness, courage, integrity and community we find our hope.”

Juliet Johnson and Rosamond Mahony, Adams’ daughters, said: ’’We are delighted that Puffin are publishing a new edition of the story written especially for us. Our father would have been proud of the 50th anniversary of its publication and thrilled at the terrific foreword by Madeline Miller. She is a writer for our times and will ensure the book is read by many future generations of children and adults alike.”

Kelly Hurst, editorial director for Children’s Fiction, added: “Richard Adams’ iconic book has been loved by readers of all ages since it was first published and we are so proud to be his publisher. How thrilling to celebrate this title in its 50th year with an incredible new introduction from Madeline Miller.” 

The estate of Richard Adams will be marking the anniversary with a raft of celebratory activities. The University of Glasgow will host the "Watership Down at 50" conference in September, with keynote speeches by Rosamond Mahony, Briony Wickes and author S F Said. Watership Down Enterprises will work with Midas on a "high-profile" media campaign featuring exclusive interviews with Adams’ daughters and a special event at the author’s former Islington home where the book was written.