It's Book Blogger Hop Day courtesy of the meme available at Crazy-for-Books.com. If you're crazy for books and like hearing about upcoming and new titles, let others know by hopping by their blogs for a visit. This week's question is:
"Who's your all-time favorite book villain?"
Oh goodness, I had to think about that one for a moment before I realized the name that was on the tip of my tongue...General Woundwort from Richard Adams' Watership Down. Now, Woundwort doesn't appear until the latter half of the book, but when you first meet him, readers just know he's a villain.
Woundwort is the Adolf Hitler of rabbits, and he runs Efrafa, his warren, with an iron fist, dividing the entire warren into groups and telling each of them when they can go above ground, eat, relieve themselves, etc. What really makes him stand out in my mind as a favorite villain is when Hazel, the Chief Rabbit of the Watership Down warren, goes to meet with Woundwort after a secret raid upon Efrafa. Hazel speaks to Woundwort about their two warrens cooperating for the good of the whole, and Woundwort can actually see this plan working. However, he refuses to give up control and basically tells Hazel he has no time for stuff and nonsense like this. Given the chance to become something better, Woundwort doesn't take that opportunity, making him a diabolical villain to the core.
Woundwort is the Adolf Hitler of rabbits, and he runs Efrafa, his warren, with an iron fist, dividing the entire warren into groups and telling each of them when they can go above ground, eat, relieve themselves, etc. What really makes him stand out in my mind as a favorite villain is when Hazel, the Chief Rabbit of the Watership Down warren, goes to meet with Woundwort after a secret raid upon Efrafa. Hazel speaks to Woundwort about their two warrens cooperating for the good of the whole, and Woundwort can actually see this plan working. However, he refuses to give up control and basically tells Hazel he has no time for stuff and nonsense like this. Given the chance to become something better, Woundwort doesn't take that opportunity, making him a diabolical villain to the core.
Awesome choice and reason. This is one classic that I must read.
ReplyDeleteNC
Truly Bookish
My favorite book villain is, hands down, is the Napoleon of crime -
ReplyDeleteProfessor James Moriarty.
It took me less than ten seconds to come up with my answer. But you'll
never guess why.
Hop on over to my blog and find out -- http://www.howardsherman.net
Howard Sherman
http://www.howardsherman.net
Everyone is much more creative that me. Here is http://twitter.com/#!/sugarbeatbc/status/43537318954545152
ReplyDeleteHopping through. Great pick with Watership Down. The General is definitely a villain. I always thought of the book as Communist bunnies...but Nazis apply as well.
ReplyDeleteMy Hop
I need to sit down and read that this Summer. I know how much you love that book.
ReplyDelete@ Truly Bookish: It is my favorite classic and I highly recommend it.
ReplyDelete@ Lisa: Unless a villain really stands out in your mind, it can be tough to recall the best one out of the books you've read. :)
@ Alison: I agree either Communist or Nazi bunnies, and it has one of my favorite heroes too, Bigwig. :D
@ Karen: Yes, you must read it when you have time, and I did love it so much. You can tell by looking at my tattered copy. :)