Imagine you’re a kid, maybe about ten years old, and your whole world feels a bit wobbly. That’s where we meet Elara in Sarah Winman’s delightful book, When God Was A Rabbit. Elara’s life isn’t exactly a fairytale. Her mum’s a bit… well, let’s just say she’s not exactly the most stable presence. And then there’s the whole God thing. No, not the bearded guy in the sky kind of God. This is a different sort of God, a wonderfully strange and rather large rabbit named God. Yes, you read that right. A rabbit. And not just any rabbit, but a rabbit who happens to be a bit of a philosopher and a great listener.
Elara’s story is really about her finding her feet, and a lot of that happens with the help of her eccentric but deeply loving Uncle Joe. He’s the kind of uncle who wears questionable jumpers and has a knack for turning the mundane into the magical. He’s the one who introduces Elara to her extraordinary companion, God the rabbit. This isn’t just some whimsical plot device; it’s the heart of the story. God the rabbit is Elara’s confidant, her secret keeper, and her source of unwavering comfort. He doesn't talk in human words, but Elara understands him perfectly. It's a bond that’s pure, simple, and utterly heartwarming. Think of it like having a really wise, furry best friend who always knows what to do, even when things get tough.
The book takes us on a journey through Elara’s childhood and into her young adulthood. We see her navigate the awkwardness of growing up, the sting of first love (and heartbreak), and the ever-present shadow of her mother’s mental health struggles. But through it all, there’s this thread of resilience, woven with laughter and a healthy dose of the absurd. Sarah Winman has a way of writing that makes you feel like you’re right there with Elara, smelling the salty air of the seaside town they live in, feeling the warmth of Uncle Joe’s hugs, and maybe even feeling a phantom twitch of God the rabbit’s nose.
What’s so wonderful about When God Was A Rabbit is its refusal to be gloomy. Even when dealing with difficult subjects like mental illness and family dysfunction, there’s an underlying sense of hope. It’s not a preachy kind of hope, but a quiet, persistent one. It’s the kind of hope that whispers, “Things might be hard, but you’re not alone, and you’re stronger than you think.” And a big part of that strength comes from the unconventional family Elara finds for herself – Uncle Joe, her older brother Lawrence (who has his own set of quirks and challenges), and of course, God the rabbit.
“We are all stories, really. And then we are stories that are told. And then we are stories that are forgotten. But the story itself… the story is what matters.”
When God was a rabbit - Sarah Winman, - Kupindo.com (79591565)
This quote, or something very much like it, seems to capture the essence of the book. Elara’s journey is about finding her own story, understanding the stories that have shaped her, and eventually, finding the courage to write her own future. The characters are so vividly drawn, so flawed and so human, that you can’t help but fall in love with them. Uncle Joe, with his boundless optimism and his slightly outlandish pronouncements, is a particular standout. He’s the kind of character you wish you had in your own life, someone who can make you laugh even when you feel like crying.
And then there’s the rabbit. God. He’s not just a pet; he’s a symbol. He represents the innocent, the pure, and the deeply comforting aspects of life that can exist even in the midst of chaos. He’s a reminder that sometimes, the most profound wisdom comes in the simplest forms, and that we often understand more than we think we do. The relationship between Elara and God is a beautiful exploration of empathy and connection. It’s about listening with your heart, not just your ears.
When God Was a Rabbit by Sarah Winman
Sarah Winman’s writing style is often described as lyrical and evocative. She has a gift for painting pictures with words, making the ordinary seem extraordinary. You’ll find yourself lingering over sentences, appreciating the rhythm and the imagery. It’s a book that invites you to slow down, to savour the moments, and to appreciate the quirky beauty of life. It’s about finding magic in the everyday, and about the enduring power of love and family, no matter how unconventional it might be.
If you’re looking for a book that will make you laugh, cry, and ponder the big questions of life, all while falling in love with a philosophical rabbit, then When God Was A Rabbit is definitely for you. It’s a warm hug in book form, a reminder that even when life throws you curveballs, there’s always a little bit of magic to be found, especially in the most unexpected of places. It’s a story that stays with you long after you’ve turned the last page, making you look at the world, and maybe even the rabbits in your neighbourhood, a little differently.
