When God Was a Rabbit - Softcover

Sarah Winman

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0755379292 ISBN 13: 9780755379293

Publisher: Headline Publishing Group, 2011

Synopsis

WHEN GOD WAS A RABBITis an incredibly exciting debut from an extraordinary new voice in fiction.

Spanning four decades, from 1968 onwards, this is the story of a fabulous but flawed family and the slew of ordinary and extraordinary incidents that shape their everyday lives. It is a story about childhood and growing up, loss of innocence, eccentricity, familial ties and friendships, love and life. Stripped down to its bare bones, it's about the unbreakable bond between a brother and sister.

"Absolutely brilliant. Loved it so much. Up there withOne Day and Skippy Diesin my 2010 faves." -The Bookseller
"At times laugh-out-loud funny, at others gut-wrenchingly sad, the book is peppered with unique and complex characters who are so original, well-observed and believable that you'll be completely absorbed into their world" -Easy Living
"A story of siblings, friendship, secrets and love, told with sadness and humour" -Marie Claire
"A genuinely captivating read" -Glamour

About this title

About the Author

Sarah Winman grew up in Essex and now lives in London. She attended the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art and went on to act in theatre, film and television. She has written two novels, WHEN GOD WAS A RABBIT and A YEAR OF MARVELLOUS WAYS.

From Publishers Weekly

Winman debuts with a heartbreaking story of the secrets and hopes of a sister and brother who share an unshakable bond. Elly and her older brother, Joe, appear to be just like all the other kids in mid-1970s Essex, U.K., but, as is often the case, shocking secrets lurk below the surface for the siblings and Elly's best friend, Jenny Penny—one has been sexually abused, another has an alcoholic and promiscuous mother, another is homosexual—and the weight of bearing each other's traumas erupts in hard to watch ways. As the years go on, each moves forward; for Elly and Joe, this is more easily accomplished, as their family moves away from Essex and Joe's secret is brought to light, relief Elly doesn't receive until much later. As the story winds through time and across the Atlantic, the trio and their families are rocked by 9/11, leading to a final twist that strains belief before settling into acceptable inevitability. Winman shows impressive range and vision in breaking out of the muted coming-of-age mold, and the narrative's intensity will appeal to readers who like a little gloom. (May)
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Edition details

• Publisher: Headline Publishing Group
• Publication date: 2011
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0755379292
• ISBN 13: 9780755379293
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 335