Sarah Winman

Sarah Winman's bestselling, critically-acclaimed debut novel WHEN GOD WAS A RABBIT continues to captivate and enchant readers. The Sunday Times bestseller This is a book about a brother and sister. It's a book about childhood and growing up, friendships and families, triumph and tragedy and everything in between. More than anything, it's a book about love in all its forms.

The Richard and Judy Bestseller

When God was a Rabbit

This is a book about a brother and a sister. It's a book about secrets and starting over, friendship and family, triumph and tragedy, and everything in between. More than anything, it's a book about love in all its forms. In a remarkably honest and confident voice, Sarah Winman has written the story of a memorable young heroine, Elly, and her loss of innocence-a magical portrait of growing up and the pull and power of family ties. From Essex and Cornwall to the streets of New York, from 1968 to the events of 9/11, When God Was a Rabbit follows the evolving bond of love and secrets between Elly and her brother Joe, and her increasing concern for an unusual best friend, Jenny Penny, who has secrets of her own. With its wit and humor, engaging characters whose eccentricities are adroitly and sometimes darkly drawn, and its themes of memory and identity, When God Was a Rabbit is a love letter to true friendship and fraternal love. Funny, utterly compelling, fully of sparkle, and poignant, too, When God Was a Rabbit heralds the start of a remarkable new literary career.

A Novel

When God Was a Rabbit

Sian Wadey

When God Was A Rabbit by Sarah Winman
It was fair to say, when I started this book, I didn't have high hopes. The other books for book club weren't my cup of tea and the books I had been reading lately didn't ignite excitement. I needed a book I was passionate about, one that I couldn't put down and recommended to everyone. This was the book. It was breathtaking, made me laugh aloud and cry. Sarah Winman describes feelings, sounds and smells for each memory, making it come alive. The ecclectic characters are a joy to read about. Elly isn't particularly eccentric, but you share her joys and her pain with every word you read. 
This truly is a magical read and I can't wait for more from her. In fact, I'm hoping for a sequel as this book ended far too quickly!

When God was a rabbit

Megan Engela

A lovely book about the love between a girl and her family and friend. A little magic and imagination to counter the harsh realities of life. The story jumped a bit as it covers the girl's life from birth to adulthood, focusing on the important parts of her journey. I found it a little discontinuous but I understand why it was written this way. A very easy read. Recommended for weekends and lazy Sunday afternoons.

Amy Buckle

For fans of: Tin Man, A Little Life, Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, The Last Act of Love

When God was a Rabbit follows the story of Elly and Joe: siblings from a quiet family in Essex. Throughout their childhood until they grow into adults, their family ties them together along the plethora of eccentric characters they encounter along the way. This novel follows them through the lives, the ups and the downs, and embraces the triumphs as well as the pain. It’s about the strength of family bonds and the power of love.

This is a story about love, yes, but I think even more than that, it’s a story about people – and one you couldn’t possible put down without having liked. Not only is there an eclectic mix of personalities but through Winman’s writing, you feel as if you are experiencing their journeys and their lives too. For me, there wasn’t a character I didn’t like, or rather, there wasn’t a character I wasn’t invested in – their journeys were all intruiging in their own ways.

When I read Tin Man, I fell in love with Winman’s writing and I love it even more in this book. There was such a poetry to her words that she makes even the mundane seem beautiful and as a result, it was hard not to be compelled to Elly and Joe and their stories. Her words made me feel almost giddy in the way they affected me, and I happily devoured every single letter.

Elly’s brother anchored her to life, and their relationship, and the strength of that felt like the glue holding all the pages together as I was reading the book. Their relationship was special and I felt the need to savour their moments together. I think that’s what is most compelling and relatable in this book, and an element everyone will be able to connect with – everyone has someone (be it blood related or not) that they would love no matter what.

The blurb finishes in a way I couldn’t phrase better myself, so I won’t attempt to: “More than anything, it’s a book about love in all its forms.” And if that doesn’t convince you to read it, nothing will!

When God was a Rabbit The Richard and Judy Bestseller

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