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  • When God Was a Rabbit

  • By: Sarah Winman
  • Narrated by: Sarah Winman
  • Length: 8 hrs and 25 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (47 ratings)

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When God Was a Rabbit

By: Sarah Winman
Narrated by: Sarah Winman
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Publisher's Summary

Young Elly's world is shaped by those who inhabit it: her loving but maddeningly distractible parents; a best friend who smells of chips and knows exotic words like 'slag'; an ageing fop who tapdances his way into her home, a Shirley Bassey impersonator who trails close behind; lastly, of course, a rabbit called God. In a childhood peppered with moments both ordinary and extraordinary, Elly's one constant is her brother Joe.

Twenty years on, Elly and Joe are fully grown and as close as they ever were. Until, that is, one bright morning and a single earth-shattering event that threatens to destroy their bond for ever.

Spanning four decades and moving between suburban Essex, the wild coast of Cornwall and the streets of New York, this is a story about childhood, eccentricity, the darker side of love and sex, the pull and power of family ties, loss and life. More than anything, it's a story about love in all its forms.

©2011 Sarah Winman (P)2011 Headline Publishing Group Ltd

Critic Reviews

"Author/narrator Winman pulls listeners in with her beautiful prose and vivid descriptions.... Thoughtful, unexpectedly funny, and ultimately compelling." (AudioFile)

'Thronging with incident and wonder.' (The Guardian)

'Beguiling... You can't get the voice out of your head.' (Daily Mail)

What listeners say about When God Was a Rabbit

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Brilliant

This is the third book of Sarah Winman’s I have read and thoroughly enjoyed, she takes the reader into the heart of the characters, and you become part of the story.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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Brilliant reading by the author

Very atmospheric and contemplative. Deeply exploratory of how childhood shapes us as adults. Lost a bit of pace midway, but regained the story in the 2nd half. Beautifully written.

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Just a great and at times funny story.

Loved it all. That was my second Sarah Winman book and now I will look for another.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Another brilliant novel from Sarah Winman

Love everything about Sarah Winmans writing - it’s so poetic and lyrical. Didn’t realise that she also narrated the book too which was so perfectly done. Could not recommend this book more highly! Sitting joint first place with Lola in the Mirror for this years favourite reads.

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When a book just resonates…

Quirky and insightful catalogue of growing up. Following the somewhat tormented protagonist’s young life with an eclectic group of endearingly good, intrinsically antisocial or weird and unworthy people’s influence, we gain an insight into the myriad of experiences, relationships, thoughts and behaviours. This is an emotional rollercoaster - of hilariously laughable situation, heartening kindnesses, sour dejection and gut wrenching tragedy. Fabulous narrator performs this fabulous author’s gift of prose. This story will stay with me…

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Amazing!

Her audiobooks are incredible I love that she reads them herself and she does such a good job at it!
One of the better reads of mine this year 🌺❤️👍🏼
Story so beautiful and unique and just as special as her other book Still Life

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Absolutely Wonderful

I loved this book, my second by Sarah Winman and her narration is perfect! thankyou!

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My favourite author by far!

I just love Sarah’s stories and writing style. The tenderness, the rawness, the humour, the sadness, the magic. It has it all. Thank you for this wonderful novel x

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    4 out of 5 stars
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Cracker of a start

It’s rare to find writers who can put themselves inside childhood. The first part of this story was wonderful: original, witty, poignant. However it didn’t seem to have a point once she left childhood. I’ve forgotten I was even reading it. As well, the deep breath between sentences drive me nuts. I found slowing down the audio worked a charm.

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beautifully written

The insight into 'ordinary' lives, I felt the generosity of spirit and the love in this novel. it felt so honest. I loved the writing. I laughed and I cried - which for me makes it a favourite. 5 stars.

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