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When God Was a Rabbit

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When God Was a Rabbit

By: Sarah Winman
Narrated by: Sarah Winman
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About this listen

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 Family Life Fiction Friendship Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Funny Heartfelt Witty Thought-Provoking

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)
All stars
Most relevant
I came to this having read and loved Still Life. You can clearly see the more sophisticated novelist Winman will be in time and I enjoyed this book but it is a little confused. The ending doesn’t seem to connect to the rest of the story but does give the book a dramatic culmination. The growth of Elly from childhood to adulthood is cleverly shown in writing style but it does mean the first have of the book is disjointed. I believe it’s to show a child’s mind.

I don’t think authors should read their own books. Actors are always much better. Winman does an ok job but I did slow it down a bit to have time to process and enjoy the words. Something I’ve never done before.

To conclude, if you’re a fan of Winman definitely read it! It’s a good listen/read but her work gets stronger in her later novels.

Amazing debut, clever but confused.

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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

Amazing!

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

Absolutely Wonderful

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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…

When a book just resonates…

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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.

Another brilliant novel from Sarah Winman

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This book has firmly established Sarah Winman as one of my favourite authors. Great read

Enjoyable read

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

Great reading and unusual story.

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

Just a great and at times funny story.

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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

My favourite author by far!

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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.

beautifully written

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