When God Was a Rabbit

Sarah Winman’s debut novel follows two brothers growing up in London during the 1960s and early 1970s. Framed by Eddie’s return to his childhood home following their mother’s death, the narrative unfolds through a series of recollections that document daily life, neighborhood routines, and the gradual transition from childhood to adulthood. The book examines how sibling relationships evolve amid changing family circumstances, shifting social landscapes, and the quiet accumulation of ordinary moments. Winman structures the story around memory itself, allowing past experiences to intersect with present reflections on loss and identity. Recurring motifs of art, music, and urban exploration ground the narrative in a specific historical period while addressing universal questions about how early experiences shape adult understanding. The novel’s episodic approach and focus on familial bonds make it a study of how memory preserves, distorts, and ultimately connects generations.