Author: Sarah Winman
Genre: Literary Fiction
Subject: Family, relationships
Publisher: Headline Review
Release date: March, 2011
Length: 325 pages
I got this book: through bookcrossing
From Goodreads:
"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."
Personal opinion:
If I was only allowed to describe this book in one word, it would be quirky. The youth of Elly, her family, her best friend are all a bit out of the ordinary. The book addresses things that are normally kept quiet behind closed curtains. This wasn't a quick read for me but it did keep me interested enough to continue to read. I had no idea that eventually this story would lead to the disaster of 9/11 so that came as a bit of a surprise to me. Sometimes the book is a bit all over the place but it was still easy enough to follow and sometimes very funny. I surely enjoyed myself reading it.
I liked it!
Purchase links: Amazon
Other reviews: Leeswammes, Turning Pages
If you have reviewed this book and want your link here, please leave a comment with the link, and I will add it :)
"All over the place" is a good way to say it. I was half-way and didn't really know what the book was about anymore. I did finish it but didn't like it as much as you, I think.
ReplyDeleteI sent my copy to one of the other boekgrrls, hope she likes it better than me. :-)
Yeah I saw that :) It is always nice to give books away to people who want to read them :)
ReplyDeleteI have heard mixed things about this book, if it comes my way I will read it but don't think I would go out of my way to get it.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the review
Lainy http://www.alwaysreading.net
I agree with your personal views on the book - its definitely crazy one.
ReplyDeleteYou can find my thoughts on - http://turningpagesbook.blogspot.com/2011/12/when-god-was-rabbit.html
Cheers.