Published by Bloomsbury USA
Publication date: May 17, 2011
Genres: Childhood, Debut, Fiction, Literary
One of the best gifts of reading is not only discovering a new writer you love, but learning that they have written previous books, opening up the possibility of more wonderful reading. This was the case with Sarah Winman. I read her novel, Tin Man, and it was exactly the kind of simple but poetic prose that draws me in. So, when I saw it was her second novel I knew I wanted to read her debut, When God Was a Rabbit. Actually, with that title I wanted to read the book no matter who wrote it.
The novel encompasses a family with two children—Joe and Eleanor (Elly). Joe is five years older than Elly and is her protector. So much so that when she is sad about not having a friend, he gets her a rabbit. A rabbit she names God. What follows is their story as told by Elly, lived out through Winman’s ability to gorgeously capture the humor and pain in the large and small moments of life. When God Was a Rabbit follows the two from their childhood in Cornwall, living in the B&B their parents run, to their grown-up lives—Joe in NYC on a straightforward path in finance while Elly moves in circles around the family home, never quite settling anywhere. They may be thousands of miles apart but for Elly, Joe is
The witness of my soul, my shadow in childhood, when dreams were small and attainable for all. When sweets were a penny and god was a rabbit.
Elly and Joe are at the center of When God Was a Rabbit but Winman’s understanding of human nature in all its permutations and complexity is a gift that makes every character in the novel glow with vitality. There is aunt Nancy, a glamorous actress; Jenny Penny, Elly’s best friend; Charlie, Joe’s closest companion, and Arthur, an elderly man who lives in a cottage on their property. I feel as if Winman must have a gorgeously rich inner life to produce such nuance in her characters. They’re flawed and sometimes problematic, but they make your heart ache with understanding.
This is not to say When God was a Rabbit is a whimsical, sunshine and rainbows novel. It’s a novel of childhood and the way things fall away. Either naturally—a beloved friend moves away, or unnaturally—something is taken from us that can’t be replaced. Secrets that leave scars. As Joe and Elly grow up their bond is the one thing that seems unshakable…until events upend their lives and their relationship is shattered. For Elly it is unfathomable
“You see, you were the only person who knew everything. Because you were there. And you were my witness. And you made sense of the fucked-up mess I become every now and then. And I could at least look at you and think, at least he knows why I am the way I am…But I can’t do that anymore and I feel so lonely.”
Even as these extreme events unfold, Winman doesn’t resort to cliché or syrupy solutions. Instead, she quietly portrays the inner reserves called in when outer strength isn’t enough. That she does so with an acerbic wit gives the novel a welcome bit of bite. Which is all to say, When God Was a Rabbit is a quirky blend of the exotic and the recognizable, perfectly proportioned for the kind of reading I love.
“Memories, no matter how small or inconsequential, are the pages that define us.”
Catherine. I also loved Tin Man so I’m adding this to my list. Thanks!
I hope you like it!
You commented on my October wrap-up post but I’m having issues with Comments in WP and so was never able to respond. The Cravings cookbook is so much fun, as well as having recipes that sound divine but not too hard. I’d definitely get it from the library- even if you just read it and laugh!
Now you’re making me question not finishing!
We’re just in very different places in our reading. I’m not going to push this one on you because the last two I’ve loved you’ve DNFed!
Just figured out which book this is (old cover). I really want to read it now! Added to my TBR and had a sample sent to ye olde Kindle.
I’m a huge fan of any writer who can combine serious life events with quirky charm. Winman does it well.
I loved this book when I read it years ago and have Tin Man in my TBR stack. I recall that it was one of those rare books that made me laugh and cry within the space of a few pages and, like you, found that although a lot happens, it all seems quite believable within the context of the story.
You’re the reason I read it! I read your review and made note of it. I’ve finished all my new release reading for the year and so am turning to backlist. Remembering how much I loved Tin Man I knew I wanted to read it. I think you will love Tin Man. You can see her growth as a writer.
I liked the first half of this book (according to my review in 2013) but didn’t care for the 2nd half which I thought was disjointed and meandering. But I thought Winman’s current book Tin Man was very strong. I’ll be curios to see what she puts out next: I’m guessing it’ll have pain & grief in it … ha. I actually met Winman at our book festival a couple of years ago –just in the foyer area — didn’t know it was her — just walked by and we started talking and she was cool. … and then realized … by the way that was Sarah Winman ohhh
What a great story! I would have lost all composure. I felt as if Tin Man was a wonderful sign of her progression as a writer. As you mention Rabbit gets spread a bit thin. I just love her style.
Thank you for your comment about The Uncommon Reader. There was some problem with WP that meant I couldn’t approve comments (grrr). I agree that it was a wonderful tribute to reading!