The Rabbits by A A Milne : a review

I’m delighted to be sharing Laura’s guest review about The Rabbits by A A Milne.

The Rabbits by A A Milne

• Category : Classic Fiction
• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Farrago (29 Feb. 2024)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Paperback ‏ : ‎ 320 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 178842459X
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1788424592
• Amazon | Waterstones | Goodreads

The Rabbits Summary

The adventures of a group of friends, pre-war, with far too much time on their hands.

The Rabbits, as they call themselves, are Archie Mannering, his sister Myra, Samuel Simpson, Thomas of the Admiralty, Dahlia Blair and the narrator, with occasional guests. Their conversation is almost entirely frivolous, their activity vacillates between immensely energetic and happily lazy, and their social mores are surprisingly progressive.

As a portrait of charming middle-class play on the brink of being shattered by World War I, they fail entirely to take themselves seriously. “…So here they all are. Whatever their crimes, they assure you that they won’t do it again” – A. A. Milne

The Rabbits Review

I enjoyed this quirky read by A.A.Milne. Originally as sketches in Punch this book tells the story of a friendship group before the ravages of the First World War.

Their middle-class adventures are light-hearted and quaint. With wit but true love for each other, this group socialise frequently.

Sports are a favourite pastime for The Rabbits with summer parties, ski holidays and rehearsals for their play.

I enjoyed the whimsical characters and their friendly banter as they play or socialise with each other. I liked the part The Heir as the dynamic of the group changes with the arrival of a baby and the responsibilities involved with becoming a godparent.

The Rabbits is a light read with charming characters at a time before the worry of war.

About the Author

A. A. Milne (Alan Alexander) is best known for his books about the teddy bear Winnie-the-Pooh, but was also an accomplished writer of fiction for grown-ups. Prior to the First World War he worked as a young man as Assistant Editor of Punch magazine. After leaving the army, he began to write plays, short stories and novels; and then later works for children, including the poetry collection When We Were Very Young and the storybook Winnie-the-Pooh in 1926. Milne continued to be a prolific writer until his death in 1956.