When God Was a Rabbit was the 2011 debut novel by bestselling author Sarah Winman.
I’m extremely late to the party when it comes to this book. 12 years in fact! I wanted to read it after absolutely loving Sarah Winman’s latest novel, Still Life. Still Life was one of my favourite books last year.
I hadn’t previously read any other Sarah Winman books so I thought her debut was a good place to start.
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Plot
When God Was a Rabbit spans several decades, following the journey of Elly and her brother Joe, from their childhood in the 1960s through to adulthood.
The siblings share a unique and unbreakable bond, navigating the challenges of growing up in a quirky, loving, and somewhat eccentric family. Their childhood is enriched by not only their parents and Aunt but family friends too, including their unconventional best friend Jenny Penny.
As Elly and Joe journey through life, they encounter a series of joys, sorrows, trials and tribulations that shape their perspectives on love, friendship, and what it means to be happy.
When God Was a Rabbit Book Review
I’m so glad I finally got around to reading this book! It was such a touching and beautifully written novel.
As with Still Life, it’s the characters that make this book special. Elly as our narrator is a deeply relatable and endearing protagonist. Her bond with Joe and best friend Jenny Penny are so vividly portrayed.
Sarah Winman has a real talent for creating characters who feel real, flawed, and utterly human. I particularly adored Aunt Nancy, Ginger and Arthur. They brought so much warmth and wisdom to the story.
The story itself is non-linear and the narrative has an almost conversational tone. lt felt like the author was chatting to a friend in a similar way to how a conversation can make twists and turns and veer off onto a different subject. It felt like a collection of moments from various points in time but they all combined to give the reader a greater insight into the characters.
The novel combines elements of humour, tragedy, and magic realism. The titular rabbit named God and Arthur’s knowledge of how he was going to die made the story feel surreal in places which I actually loved. It felt quirky and whimsical one moment and heart-breaking real the next.
Sarah Winman’s prose is lyrical and evocative and I just love how she tells a story. She has a real knack for capturing seemingly ordinary moments and infusing them with depth and emotion. I was left with a lump in my throat on more than one occasion. The author deals with some series themes such as abuse, love, loss, sexuality and friendship yet the overall feel to the story is one of hope and optimism.
I found this book to be such a remarkable debut. Still Life is still my favourite Sarah Winman book (so far) but in all honesty, not many books can compare to that one. It’s one of my favourite reads of all time.
When God Was a Rabbit is a beautifully crafted story of love, loss, and the enduring power of friendship. I’ll definitely be reading more books by Sarah Winman.
What to read next
I would highly recommend reading Still Life by Sarah Winman if you haven’t already. Still Life is one of my favourite books of all time. It’s such a gorgeous read.
I’d also recommend Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt which is another quirky, whimsical read in a similar vein to When God Was a Rabbit.
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I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion. For more information please see my disclosure policy.