Happy Year of the Rabbit to all you readers! The Chinese New Year is a time for family, friends, and celebration. As the holiday season approaches, it’s a perfect time to curl up with a cosy book and relax. Here are a few book recommendations for cosy reads during the Chinese New Year holiday season with rabbits as characters or elements. These books will transport you to different places and different times and will give you an insight into different cultures, while also providing a cosy and comforting reading experience during this holiday season.
1. Alice in Wonderland – Lewis Carroll
In “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” by Lewis Carroll, the rabbit is a white rabbit that Alice follows into a rabbit hole, leading her into the fantastical world of Wonderland. The rabbit is often in a hurry and is late for an appointment, leading Alice on a chase through the strange and surreal landscape. The rabbit is also one of the characters that Alice meets during her journey and is depicted as a bit of a fussbudget, often fretting about being late. He is also one of the characters that play a role in the trial of the Knave of Hearts and is a witness in the trial. Overall, the rabbit serves as a guide and an important character in the story, helping Alice navigate her way through the strange and fantastical world of Wonderland.
2. The Year of the Hare – Arto Paasilinna
In “The Year of the Hare” by Arto Paasilinna, the rabbit is a wild hare that the main character, Vatanen, comes across while on a camping trip in the Finnish wilderness. The rabbit is injured, and Vatanen takes it in and nurses it back to health. The rabbit becomes Vatanen’s companion and they embark on a journey together, as Vatanen quits his job and sets out on a journey of self-discovery. The rabbit serves as a symbol of freedom and spontaneity, and its presence encourages Vatanen to let go of his old life and embrace a more carefree existence. Along the way, they have many adventures and meet various characters, including a group of hippies and a group of hunters. The rabbit also serves as a source of humour and lightheartedness in the story, and its presence allows Vatanen to see the world in a different way.
3. Cursed Bunny – Bora Chung
“Cursed Bunny” is a collection of horror short stories originally written in Korean by Bora Chung. The titular story “Cursed Bunny” is a very peculiar story of how a grandson of a CEO of a company dies slowly and sickly after being given a cursed bunny as a gift.
4. When God was a Rabbit – Sarah Winman
In “When God Was a Rabbit” by Sarah Winman, the rabbit is a stuffed toy that belongs to the main character, Elly. The rabbit is a constant presence in Elly’s life, and it serves as a symbol of her childhood and the close relationship she has with her brother, Joe. Throughout the story, Elly’s memories of her childhood and her relationship with Joe are interwoven with the story of the rabbit. The rabbit also serves as a symbol of the innocence and joy of childhood, as well as the comfort that can be found in familiar objects. The rabbit is also a reminder of the tragedy that befell her brother and her family, and it serves as a connection to the past. The rabbit also serves as a reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of cherishing the time we have with loved ones.
5. The Tale of Peter Rabbit – Beatrix Potter
In “The Tale of Peter Rabbit” by Beatrix Potter, Peter Rabbit is the main character. This mischievous young rabbit disobeys his mother’s instructions and goes into Mr. McGregor’s garden to pick vegetables. Despite his mother’s warnings, Peter eats too many vegetables and gets into trouble with Mr. McGregor. He is chased out of the garden and loses his jacket and shoes in the process. He returns home to his mother, where he is put to bed with a dose of chamomile tea. The story follows Peter’s adventure and the consequences of his disobedience. The story is a classic children’s tale, with a moral lesson of the importance of listening to authority figures and following rules. The story is also an entertaining read with charming illustrations.