janetandjohn:

 Bumping this thread because I have just read it (I know I said I wouldn't last year, but we can all change our minds) and gave it a high score.  I take everyone's points on board, but glad I read the book before I read this thread again, as I know I would have put it aside.

I thought, like Nat, that it showed a family, warts and all - and I didn't object to nine eleven being included, because I have met two different people who lost someone that day, and I imagine the description in the book was spot on, when people were desparately ringing mobile phones that would never be answered..... and I liked the fact that Joe's Tshirt was the thing that helped him be "found".    I liked the title too.  When God was a Rabbit - when she was a child, in her happy part of life, her rabbit was called god.  Yea - that's OK.

And I did spot the neighbour and his mucky goings on, and I thought that because she and Joe were so close she told him and he swore to tell nobody.  Children do that kind of thing sometimes.... and it was because of that, and because she never got help that she was a woman who constantly lost jobs and could not get her life together.

I take the point that it was her first novel and it could have been a bit smoother, but honestly, I enjoyed it very much.

Interesting to look back a year later and rethink things - again!  I was thinking of Sarah Winman the other day, wondering if she had another book out.  I'd certainly read another of hers and I still have this one which I would read again.  I may have sounded critical but I did really like this book and it did sweep me away whilst reading it - and you know what?  Impossible as it may seem, some people do have lives like this where one things happens after another, as I have discovered this past year, so maybe it's not that contrived!

scarlet21:

 

janetandjohn:

 Bumping this thread because I have just read it (I know I said I wouldn't last year, but we can all change our minds) and gave it a high score.  I take everyone's points on board, but glad I read the book before I read this thread again, as I know I would have put it aside.

I thought, like Nat, that it showed a family, warts and all - and I didn't object to nine eleven being included, because I have met two different people who lost someone that day, and I imagine the description in the book was spot on, when people were desparately ringing mobile phones that would never be answered..... and I liked the fact that Joe's Tshirt was the thing that helped him be "found".    I liked the title too.  When God was a Rabbit - when she was a child, in her happy part of life, her rabbit was called god.  Yea - that's OK.

And I did spot the neighbour and his mucky goings on, and I thought that because she and Joe were so close she told him and he swore to tell nobody.  Children do that kind of thing sometimes.... and it was because of that, and because she never got help that she was a woman who constantly lost jobs and could not get her life together.

I take the point that it was her first novel and it could have been a bit smoother, but honestly, I enjoyed it very much.

 

 

Interesting to look back a year later and rethink things - again!  I was thinking of Sarah Winman the other day, wondering if she had another book out.  I'd certainly read another of hers and I still have this one which I would read again.  I may have sounded critical but I did really like this book and it did sweep me away whilst reading it - and you know what?  Impossible as it may seem, some people do have lives like this where one things happens after another, as I have discovered this past year, so maybe it's not that contrived!

Lisa - how funny - you posted again, and I read the whole thread through, and you are right about people who have lives where one thing happens after another..... if you have read my posts about the flood, the dogbite and the car accident, all in 24 hours, I think I have a book in me about that kind of life!!  xx

I finished this book yesterday while on a plane from New York, which did seem quite fitting at the time. I enjoyed this book for what it was, a family journey full of ups and downs; yes, there were many extremes but I think if you can read it and simply enjoy it for its many sweet little messages along the way, it makes a very good read. I give this book 4/5 ( I actually cried when God died, was this just me?!). I would defintely recommend if you fancy an 'easy' read (although I found it a little emotional at times) but it is still effortless and was perfect for my trip. 

I'm sorry but I thought it was an awful book. The story had far too much included with no substance to any of it. I literally rolled my eyes when she dragged up yet another storyline. I'm not one for deep and meaningful stories, I prefer stories with some action but this tried too hard and consequently was shallow.

I read this last year when on holiday.