Author: Sarah Winman
Source: Bought
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.
My Thoughts
This book has been on my tbr pile since it first came out and I just never felt like reading it however I bought a ticket to go see Sarah Winman at the Edinburgh International Book Festival and I thought I would make the effort and read her book before I went to see her. When I first started When God was a Rabbit I was convinced that this book was not going to be my cup of tea however I found myself pleasantly surprised the further into the book I got.
I found the plot hard to follow in places however this did not put me off this novel and it is one of my favourite books I have read so far this year. I found all the characters to be developed well and they all contributed to the plot of the novel. I found the relationship between the brother and sister to be a bit strange in places and that was not really my cup of tea.
This is an interesting and well thought out debut novel that I loved. I look forward to reading whatever Sarah Winman comes up with next.
[...] I have had this book on my tbr pile since it came out and when I got a ticket to see Sarah Winman at the Edinburgh book festival, I decided I better read the book before I go see her speak. This book turned out to be one of my favourite books of the year and I am kicking myself that I allowed it to sit on my shelfs unread for such a long time. I even got comments of Sarah as my copy was full of post its sticking out full of my thoughts of the books. My review can be seen here. [...]