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  • When God Was a Rabbit

  • By: Sarah Winman
  • Narrated by: Sarah Winman
  • Length: 8 hrs and 25 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (63 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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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

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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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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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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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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    5 out of 5 stars
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Great reading and unusual story.

A little too much swearing but I guess you get used to that these days.

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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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Absolutely brilliant

My very very favour author. Subject choice is always delicate, however the way it handled is so beautiful. Winman is a true wordsmith. I can never guess where the story is going which makes it so very special.

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Quirky characters

A story of life, growing up, finding our people, our family. A story of belonging. A story of love, lost and found, and grief. Real. Quirky with a touch of magic. A slow ambling beginning that weaves your heart into the characters and their lives until you too belong. Loved this book. Read it because I loved Sarah Winman’s book “A year of Mysterious Ways”. The two books are quite different but I thoroughly enjoyed both.

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