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Rabbit Rabbit Rabbit
A woman’s coming-of-age through a toxic relationship, isolation, and betrayal―set against the stark landscape of the far north.
Millicent is a shy, 24-year-old reporter who moves to Whitehorse to work for a failing daily newspaper. With winter looming and the Yukon descending into darkness, Millicent begins a relationship with Pascal, an eccentric and charming middle-aged filmmaker who lives on a converted school bus in a Walmart parking lot. What begins as a romantic adventure soon turns toxic, and Millicent finds herself struggling not to lose herself and her voice.
Events come to a head at Thaw di Gras, a celebration in faraway Dawson City marking the return of light to the north. It’s here, in a frontier mining town filled with drunken tourists, eclectic locals, and sparkling burlesque dancers, that Millicent must choose between staying with Pascal or finally standing up to her abuser.
In the style of Ottessa Moshfegh’s honest exploration of dysfunctional relationships, and with the warmth and energy of Heather O’Neill, Rabbit Rabbit Rabbit illuminates what it’s like to be young, impulsive, and in love in one of the harshest environments in the world.
Millicent is a shy, 24-year-old reporter who moves to Whitehorse to work for a failing daily newspaper. With winter looming and the Yukon descending into darkness, Millicent begins a relationship with Pascal, an eccentric and charming middle-aged filmmaker who lives on a converted school bus in a Walmart parking lot. What begins as a romantic adventure soon turns toxic, and Millicent finds herself struggling not to lose herself and her voice.
Events come to a head at Thaw di Gras, a celebration in faraway Dawson City marking the return of light to the north. It’s here, in a frontier mining town filled with drunken tourists, eclectic locals, and sparkling burlesque dancers, that Millicent must choose between staying with Pascal or finally standing up to her abuser.
In the style of Ottessa Moshfegh’s honest exploration of dysfunctional relationships, and with the warmth and energy of Heather O’Neill, Rabbit Rabbit Rabbit illuminates what it’s like to be young, impulsive, and in love in one of the harshest environments in the world.
320 pages, Paperback
First published April 16, 2024
8 people are currently reading
558 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews
October 21, 2023
I was a bit reluctant after I saw some reviews for this book. But the synopsis really intrigued me, and I’m so glad I gave it a chance. It just goes to show how individual each person interest and reading tastes are. I really enjoyed this book!! I loved the nature descriptives of the Yukon, and Whitehorse, the author did a fantastic job at creating a lovely visual! I can see how the story may not be for everyone, as there was no major plot twists or climax of the story. It was just a straightforward story of Millicent and her journey, struggling to find herself, and being sucked into a narcissistic relationship by an older man! I found some of the topics and emotional journeys of the characters very relatable to real life, and the characters quite likeable. I would def recommend this book to people who enjoy slower paced books with deeper meanings ! I read it in just a few days and quite liked it!
December 29, 2024
I read this book quickly and probably could have read it in a day if I hadn't had to do anything else. It was easy to just keep going even when there were many opportunities to take breaks.
The descriptions of the scenery were perfect. I felt transported to the land in Whitehorse, trapped in the confines of the frigid bus, and could feel being under the fluorescent lighting of the newsroom. This was the best part of the book.
Every single decision Millicent made was infuriating. Pascal comes off as a dirty old creep from day one, but Millicent, for some reason, felt compelled by him and could not stop spending time with him. The second time she meets him, he puts his hand up her dress without any discussion about feelings for one another while she talks about school - no thank you. I felt nauseated any time Pascal touched her and could not believe how she just slipped into his life.
If Millicent had grown up in an abusive home, had had bad relationships, or we just knew anything about her past, I could see why she chose Pascal... but we get none of that. She's just some woman making bad choices for no apparent reason.
I did enjoy the storyline of the Indigenous people in Whitehorse and the struggles with politicians and destroying the land, but it was wrapped up in a way that didn't feel good. It felt realistic, but I was hoping for Millicent to come to some better conclusions or for more action to be taken. However, as I reflect on this, it really puts the mirror up to present-day society in these same situations.
I'm torn on if I'd recommend this to people because of how frustrating Millicent is, but the writing really was so good!
The descriptions of the scenery were perfect. I felt transported to the land in Whitehorse, trapped in the confines of the frigid bus, and could feel being under the fluorescent lighting of the newsroom. This was the best part of the book.
Every single decision Millicent made was infuriating. Pascal comes off as a dirty old creep from day one, but Millicent, for some reason, felt compelled by him and could not stop spending time with him. The second time she meets him, he puts his hand up her dress without any discussion about feelings for one another while she talks about school - no thank you. I felt nauseated any time Pascal touched her and could not believe how she just slipped into his life.
If Millicent had grown up in an abusive home, had had bad relationships, or we just knew anything about her past, I could see why she chose Pascal... but we get none of that. She's just some woman making bad choices for no apparent reason.
I did enjoy the storyline of the Indigenous people in Whitehorse and the struggles with politicians and destroying the land, but it was wrapped up in a way that didn't feel good. It felt realistic, but I was hoping for Millicent to come to some better conclusions or for more action to be taken. However, as I reflect on this, it really puts the mirror up to present-day society in these same situations.
I'm torn on if I'd recommend this to people because of how frustrating Millicent is, but the writing really was so good!
March 19, 2025
Another good Kobo Plus find!
I was a little bit hesitant to read this book due to some of the lacklustre reviews, but I really liked it! I liked all the characters in this book, except the pretentious asshole we are supposed to dislike. Millicent was such an interesting and relatable character. Sophie was flawed but in such a realistic that I found myself liking her even the huge mistake she made. Bryce was a great side male character and so was Franc. The pretentious asshole was a pretentious asshole.
Also, out of all the Canadian set books I have read, which I will admit is not a whole lot, I found Whitehorse to be such a unique location to read. It was written as small without it feeling small (if that makes sense).
The theme of loneliness and the different kind of loneliness people experience, either through choice or not, was also explored super well in this book.
I was a little bit hesitant to read this book due to some of the lacklustre reviews, but I really liked it! I liked all the characters in this book, except the pretentious asshole we are supposed to dislike. Millicent was such an interesting and relatable character. Sophie was flawed but in such a realistic that I found myself liking her even the huge mistake she made. Bryce was a great side male character and so was Franc. The pretentious asshole was a pretentious asshole.
Also, out of all the Canadian set books I have read, which I will admit is not a whole lot, I found Whitehorse to be such a unique location to read. It was written as small without it feeling small (if that makes sense).
The theme of loneliness and the different kind of loneliness people experience, either through choice or not, was also explored super well in this book.
January 20, 2024
It’s strong although it’s very much like a plotless book, it doesn’t have any huge climaxes or dramatic arcs, it’s just a sad story. Thanks for the arc
December 8, 2024
Good.
I wonder how many readers will feel the depth of this story. Most Canadian Northerners will have experienced much of this story.
So relatable and personal.
How easily a persons dream can be taken by another.
How friendships become wonderful lifelong bonds.
When we are alone..we aren’t.
Near the end of the book some newsprint advice from character Franc..
“Don’t let the advertisements, ever, manipulate editorial content. Business will come knocking at your door, saying that they’ll pay for a full-page colour ad for a whole year, if you just write a little article about how great they are. Never ever fall for it.”
In the Yukon Territory right now..this moment..we are experiencing how pre-paid full colour advertising can sway so many. Then when the big money company has a major fail, accident etc. the people see all those colourful pages that appeared weekly and wonder just how much was true.
The buying of people’s lives..betrayal of environment…..
I wonder how many readers will feel the depth of this story. Most Canadian Northerners will have experienced much of this story.
So relatable and personal.
How easily a persons dream can be taken by another.
How friendships become wonderful lifelong bonds.
When we are alone..we aren’t.
Near the end of the book some newsprint advice from character Franc..
“Don’t let the advertisements, ever, manipulate editorial content. Business will come knocking at your door, saying that they’ll pay for a full-page colour ad for a whole year, if you just write a little article about how great they are. Never ever fall for it.”
In the Yukon Territory right now..this moment..we are experiencing how pre-paid full colour advertising can sway so many. Then when the big money company has a major fail, accident etc. the people see all those colourful pages that appeared weekly and wonder just how much was true.
The buying of people’s lives..betrayal of environment…..
July 2, 2024
This story was so beautifully written, absorbing, and realistic in its portrayal of a young woman getting tangled up in an abusive relationship with an older man. The landscape of the north felt like a character in and of itself too, and the background context of environmental journalism and land sovereignty really highlighted the themes of loneliness and being in relation. I just wish some of the supporting characters were a bit more fleshed out, but a stunning debut novel!
April 27, 2024
I quickly became absorbed by the darkness that Millicent seemed to carry around with her. I could feel the cold and dreariness of winter in the Yukon. She wanted so much to find some light, some love, that she clung to Pascal because she thought he could give her that. She lost herself, and even after all is said and done, she still needs to find herself.
November 1, 2024
It was an interesting story of how someone can be in a relationship, unhappy, and continue for some unknown reason. The setting being in Canada, the Yukon to be exact, made the story more compelling.it was quite thought provoking.
June 16, 2024
Loves it- who hasn’t been Millicent and gotten all wrapped up with a Pascal ? Brilliant story. I had an audible cheer when Millicent tosses the key in the icy water.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 24, 2025
It’s amazing I finished this book. I must have picked it up at least four times, got two pages in and found nothing engaging to entice me to read further. But then I got stuck in an airport delay and had nothing else to read so I plugged along. Once I got into it I found much to like and much to dislike.
Likes — the setting. Whitehorse and the Yukon were definitely the strongest “characters” in the book. The job of a reporter on a small, local newspaper was also well developed. I liked Sophie and Franc and Bryce, although he could have and should have been more.
Dislikes — I had a like / shake my head relationship with Millicent. Her choices were all bad and I just wanted to reach into the pages and shake her. (Maybe that should be a like because it meant the author evoked a response from me even if it was negative.) Pascal was a creep from day one so to have Millicent become totally taken by him was not an easy sell. He needed something redeeming before his true colours were revealed. And the make or break part for me — the ending. This one was flat at best, verging on “whatever.” I wanted something more.
Likes — the setting. Whitehorse and the Yukon were definitely the strongest “characters” in the book. The job of a reporter on a small, local newspaper was also well developed. I liked Sophie and Franc and Bryce, although he could have and should have been more.
Dislikes — I had a like / shake my head relationship with Millicent. Her choices were all bad and I just wanted to reach into the pages and shake her. (Maybe that should be a like because it meant the author evoked a response from me even if it was negative.) Pascal was a creep from day one so to have Millicent become totally taken by him was not an easy sell. He needed something redeeming before his true colours were revealed. And the make or break part for me — the ending. This one was flat at best, verging on “whatever.” I wanted something more.
September 10, 2024
A truly compelling story. I found myself wanting to move up north (minus toxic man on a school bus). Overall a great read and I enjoyed it!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 15, 2025
Loved this book. Such a fast read with some excellent writing. A very nuanced critique of people who head to the remote north for work to “escape” but that the location isn’t really the fix people think it is. Really recommend!
March 7, 2024
thank you to NetGalley and House of Anansi Press for the advanced copy of this ebook!
this book comes out April 16th, 2024!
--
this one is for the girlies that like a plotless book, which i definitely do, but i'm not sure the story felt very put together in the end.
here we have 24-year old millicent who up and moves the yukon for a job working as a reporter at a ramshackle newspaper featuring an eccentric franc, hard-nosed about his deadlines, and bryce, who does the sports reporting. millicent shows up in the middle of a town election - an indigenous man and friend of franc's is running up against a conservative politician in bed with a for-profit prison to have it built on native land.
millicent is naive and lonely, so when a scramble for several inches of blank space in the paper sends her in the direction of the mysterious frenchman living in a bus converted to tiny home in the walmart parking lot, she swiftly ends up engaged in a romance with this man, who constantly paints vivid pictures of a life he's going to have one day in reality tv.
honestly, this story wasn't bad, but i left the book feeling like i knew very little about all the characters, including millicent herself. the only strong personality trait that i saw in her was her willingness to be manipulated by this bus dude, much older and ridiculous, telling stories about his reality show that millicent is aware he's lying about when she sees an email from a producer telling him to stop reaching out. additionally, this man sleeps with millicent's roommate sophie on millicent's birthday and what does she do? she moves in to this stupid bus, even though this guy willfully doesn't deny it and his excuse was a lot of, "what was i to do?"
i don't know - the threads of the election were interesting, particularly since the theft and destruction of native lands and habitats for animals is one of the foundations that america was built on, but it comes to a clumsy conclusion that ultimately means nothing, isn't ever resolved.
i think the author is a great writer because the prose was compelling enough for me that i ripped through this book in a day, i just wasn't a fan of the story and kept asking myself: what's the point of any of this? what am i supposed to gain from this story? i'd like to read more from her in the future, but i think this one wasn't for me.
this book comes out April 16th, 2024!
--
this one is for the girlies that like a plotless book, which i definitely do, but i'm not sure the story felt very put together in the end.
here we have 24-year old millicent who up and moves the yukon for a job working as a reporter at a ramshackle newspaper featuring an eccentric franc, hard-nosed about his deadlines, and bryce, who does the sports reporting. millicent shows up in the middle of a town election - an indigenous man and friend of franc's is running up against a conservative politician in bed with a for-profit prison to have it built on native land.
millicent is naive and lonely, so when a scramble for several inches of blank space in the paper sends her in the direction of the mysterious frenchman living in a bus converted to tiny home in the walmart parking lot, she swiftly ends up engaged in a romance with this man, who constantly paints vivid pictures of a life he's going to have one day in reality tv.
honestly, this story wasn't bad, but i left the book feeling like i knew very little about all the characters, including millicent herself. the only strong personality trait that i saw in her was her willingness to be manipulated by this bus dude, much older and ridiculous, telling stories about his reality show that millicent is aware he's lying about when she sees an email from a producer telling him to stop reaching out. additionally, this man sleeps with millicent's roommate sophie on millicent's birthday and what does she do? she moves in to this stupid bus, even though this guy willfully doesn't deny it and his excuse was a lot of, "what was i to do?"
i don't know - the threads of the election were interesting, particularly since the theft and destruction of native lands and habitats for animals is one of the foundations that america was built on, but it comes to a clumsy conclusion that ultimately means nothing, isn't ever resolved.
i think the author is a great writer because the prose was compelling enough for me that i ripped through this book in a day, i just wasn't a fan of the story and kept asking myself: what's the point of any of this? what am i supposed to gain from this story? i'd like to read more from her in the future, but i think this one wasn't for me.
August 15, 2024
Millicent is one of those enraging mcs that you wanna just reach into the book and throttle sometimes. We didn’t get enough of her internal monologue so it felt like she was just making these idiotic decisions on a whim with no concerns or contemplation at all. She seems enough like a smart girl in the beginning but that just goes out the window entirely and I’m left wondering what substance she has as a character at all? The story is just flat. Completely lackluster.
I wish we would’ve seen her poetry more. If it’s such a huge aspect of who she is and it keeps getting brought up I don’t understand why we didn’t get to see any of it besides a throwaway line.
I wish we would’ve seen her poetry more. If it’s such a huge aspect of who she is and it keeps getting brought up I don’t understand why we didn’t get to see any of it besides a throwaway line.
July 23, 2024
4.5/5 We know “there are strange things done under the midnight sun” but nothing quite prepares you for isolation the midday moon. This books speaks to how easy we can lose ourselves, how easy we can look past the warning signs, and how our communities hold us even when we don’t know it. I loved Millicent as a character and my heart broke for her and yelled at her to get out. Set against the stunning backdrop of Yukon territory, Sander-Green paints not only the beauty of the land but the power of connection to the land. I throughly enjoyed this book.
April 11, 2024
What a coincidence: the same day I picked up "Rabbit Rabbit Rabbit" at the local bookstore, the real newspaper Nadine describes so vividly in her story announced that it will be shutting down for good in a little over a month. This gave the book an unexpected shift for me. The backdrop of the story almost became more important to me than the struggles of the protagonist. An interesting read, with a fondness for the Yukon shining through!
June 24, 2024
I liked the setting, to feel what it’s like to be in the Yukon. But the characters are uncomfortable to spend time with.
April 15, 2024
Available April 16/2024
Disclaimer: Please note that I received a Digital ARC from House of Anansi & Groundwood Books, in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.
⭐⭐.5☆☆
2.5 Stars (Rounded Up)
“Rabbit Rabbit Rabbit” by Nadine Sander-Green presents captivating imagery that vividly portrays the rugged landscape of the far north. However, I encountered difficulty fully engaging with the narrative due to certain aspects of the main characters, Millicent and her counterpart, Pascal.
While the descriptions adeptly painted a vivid picture of Millicent’s surroundings, I found myself skimming through certain sections of the book, unable to fully immerse myself in the story. Millicent’s character felt somewhat jumbled, and her relationship with Pascal, though intended to evoke mystery and allure, often appeared implausible and difficult to believe due to Pascal’s initial demeanor and behavior.
Millicent’s decisions throughout the narrative left me feeling disconnected. Her naivety and willingness to disregard her own safety at the onset of the story made it challenging to invest in her journey. Despite recognizing the premise of being enticed by a mysterious stranger, I couldn’t shake the feeling of disbelief. Millicent’s immediate dismissal of her instincts in favor of pursuing an interview alone with Pascal seemed unrealistic.
Additionally, I was disappointed by Millicent’s choice in the epilogue, as it felt contradictory to her character development throughout the story. Ending the book at the conclusion of the last chapter would have been more satisfying, as Millicent’s decision to remain silent in the given scenario undermined the growth she had experienced.
While there was a lot about “Rabbit Rabbit Rabbit” I enjoyed there was a lot I didn’t. It just fell short in delivering a fully immersive and believable narrative. I would love to read more from this author in the future, and I hope that others will enjoy this book more than I did.
Get it at…
📗 - Hard Copy -📗
Your Local Canadian Book Seller
Indigo
Amazon Canada
📱 - Digital - 📱
Kobo
Kindle
🎧 - Audio - 🎧
Audible - (Not Available at Time of Review)
Libro.FM - (Not Available at Time of Review)
Disclaimer: Please note that I received a Digital ARC from House of Anansi & Groundwood Books, in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.
⭐⭐.5☆☆
2.5 Stars (Rounded Up)
“Rabbit Rabbit Rabbit” by Nadine Sander-Green presents captivating imagery that vividly portrays the rugged landscape of the far north. However, I encountered difficulty fully engaging with the narrative due to certain aspects of the main characters, Millicent and her counterpart, Pascal.
While the descriptions adeptly painted a vivid picture of Millicent’s surroundings, I found myself skimming through certain sections of the book, unable to fully immerse myself in the story. Millicent’s character felt somewhat jumbled, and her relationship with Pascal, though intended to evoke mystery and allure, often appeared implausible and difficult to believe due to Pascal’s initial demeanor and behavior.
Millicent’s decisions throughout the narrative left me feeling disconnected. Her naivety and willingness to disregard her own safety at the onset of the story made it challenging to invest in her journey. Despite recognizing the premise of being enticed by a mysterious stranger, I couldn’t shake the feeling of disbelief. Millicent’s immediate dismissal of her instincts in favor of pursuing an interview alone with Pascal seemed unrealistic.
Additionally, I was disappointed by Millicent’s choice in the epilogue, as it felt contradictory to her character development throughout the story. Ending the book at the conclusion of the last chapter would have been more satisfying, as Millicent’s decision to remain silent in the given scenario undermined the growth she had experienced.
While there was a lot about “Rabbit Rabbit Rabbit” I enjoyed there was a lot I didn’t. It just fell short in delivering a fully immersive and believable narrative. I would love to read more from this author in the future, and I hope that others will enjoy this book more than I did.
Get it at…
📗 - Hard Copy -📗
Your Local Canadian Book Seller
Indigo
Amazon Canada
📱 - Digital - 📱
Kobo
Kindle
🎧 - Audio - 🎧
Audible - (Not Available at Time of Review)
Libro.FM - (Not Available at Time of Review)
April 8, 2024
Synopsis: Millicent (nicknamed Rabbit) is a 24 year old reporter that moves to Whitehorse to work at a daily newspaper. Millicent is very new in her journalism career and struggles at the beginning to write pieces that satisfy the editor and to know what stories she should write about. Shortly after she moves to Whitehorse she notices a middle-aged man, Pascal, living on the Walmart parking lot in a converted bus. She suggests to her editor that she interview Pascal who claims that he is a filmmaker. Soon after meeting Pascal they develop a romantic relationship. Shortly after moving into the bus with Pascal, the relationship turns toxic, but it takes Millicent a long time to process this and stand up for herself.
My thoughts: The fact that the novel is set in Whitehorse at a struggling daily newspaper is what attracted me to this story. I really enjoyed reading about the struggles of the newspaper and the two other staff members that work with Millicent. I found Millicent to be a bit naïve and lost and I think that is why she hooked up with Pascal in the first place. If she had had more self confidence and understood who she was, I don’t think she would have even entertained being with Pascal. There is not a lot of plot to this book, however, the setting in the Yukon and the newspaper was enough for me and I quite enjoyed it.
Thank you to Netgalley and Anansi Press for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
My thoughts: The fact that the novel is set in Whitehorse at a struggling daily newspaper is what attracted me to this story. I really enjoyed reading about the struggles of the newspaper and the two other staff members that work with Millicent. I found Millicent to be a bit naïve and lost and I think that is why she hooked up with Pascal in the first place. If she had had more self confidence and understood who she was, I don’t think she would have even entertained being with Pascal. There is not a lot of plot to this book, however, the setting in the Yukon and the newspaper was enough for me and I quite enjoyed it.
Thank you to Netgalley and Anansi Press for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
May 14, 2024
Thank you to Zg for sending me an ARC of this novel.
EDIT: 5/14/24: This was originally reviewed at thelibraryladies.com
Thank you to Zg Stories for sending me an ARC of this novel!
While I am usually a person who loves predictability and not so much spontaneity, one of the areas where I DO tend to divert from the norms is my reading. And while that isn’t shown as much on the blog, I found myself compelled to dip my toes outside of my usual genres when the book “Rabbit Rabbit Rabbit” by Nadine Sander-Green came across my path. I was wholly taken with not only the setting of a small town in The Yukon (far up North small towns are very near and dear to my heart, even if my frame of reference is more Minnesota and Wisconsin versus Canada), and it sounded like an interesting character study of a woman trying to find herself, and unfortunately being targeted and manipulated by a toxic older man. So while it MAYBE had some thriller potential due to the latter bit of that, I felt that even if it was ultimately not a thriller, I still wanted to give it a go. And I’m happy I did, because “Rabbit Rabbit Rabbit” hit a nerve in a good way.
“Rabbit Rabbit Rabbit” is a contemporary novel that follows Millicent, a twenty four year old woman who has uprooted her life to take a job at a small town newspaper in an isolated community in The Yukon called Whitehorse. Her only initial connection is her roommate Sophie, a friend from university whom she has drifted from, and her new job has left her with a serious case of imposter syndrome as she is at her heart a poet, not a journalist. The small town setting is both claustrophobic, but also striking and very grounded. I could imagine Whitehorse, I could almost see all the people, and the dark winter landscape as Millicent tries to adjust. I also got a full sense for the community as a whole and the very real issues that happen within the time and place, with references to relevant social issues in the Yukon in regards to politics and the First Nations people who are living there, and the ins and outs of a dying newspaper that Millicent works for. It’s a quieter novel, but I found it very engaging perhaps in part because of that. Millicent is a bit of a fish out of water, and her isolation, even from her supportive roommate and coworkers, makes it easy for her to be drawn to Pascal, a local eccentric who fancies himself and artist and is living a transient lifestyle in a bus like a mercurial bohemian. His eccentricity makes him stand out in this setting, which is so well drawn out by Sander-Greene that his appeal, at least on the surface, is wholly believable (and more on him in a bit).
Another thing I enjoyed about this book is how straight forward it is in terms of the plot and narrative. As we follow Millicent’s story, there are few bells and whistles, very little melodrama, no twists, and no big reveals to upend expectations of the plot. Instead we just have a very clear cut story about a young woman who is trying to find herself in a new environment that can feel quite isolating, and who becomes wrapped up with a manipulative and charismatic man in the hunt for connection. And this thread in the book was what stood out to me the most, this portrayal of a toxic relationship and how a smart young woman could find herself entangled within it. Pascal is absolutely a villain in this book, but his villainy is very well done in that it is very subtle and very easy to see why Millicent, who is yearning for connection and with an idealistic view of the world, could be sucked in by him. He’s charming, his life seems artistic, romantic, and interesting, and how many times have we heard of older men preferring the company of young women because of, at least in part, how much they can control them, and manipulating them to feel connected and genuine. Pascal is sinister as hell, but he never feels like an moustache twirling antagonist that is over the top with his malevolence, and if anything that makes him that much scarier.
“Rabbit Rabbit Rabbit” was a gratifying shift from my usual genres, with a powerful new voice for contemporary and literary works. I will certainly be looking out for more works by Nadine Sander-Green in the future!
EDIT: 5/14/24: This was originally reviewed at thelibraryladies.com
Thank you to Zg Stories for sending me an ARC of this novel!
While I am usually a person who loves predictability and not so much spontaneity, one of the areas where I DO tend to divert from the norms is my reading. And while that isn’t shown as much on the blog, I found myself compelled to dip my toes outside of my usual genres when the book “Rabbit Rabbit Rabbit” by Nadine Sander-Green came across my path. I was wholly taken with not only the setting of a small town in The Yukon (far up North small towns are very near and dear to my heart, even if my frame of reference is more Minnesota and Wisconsin versus Canada), and it sounded like an interesting character study of a woman trying to find herself, and unfortunately being targeted and manipulated by a toxic older man. So while it MAYBE had some thriller potential due to the latter bit of that, I felt that even if it was ultimately not a thriller, I still wanted to give it a go. And I’m happy I did, because “Rabbit Rabbit Rabbit” hit a nerve in a good way.
“Rabbit Rabbit Rabbit” is a contemporary novel that follows Millicent, a twenty four year old woman who has uprooted her life to take a job at a small town newspaper in an isolated community in The Yukon called Whitehorse. Her only initial connection is her roommate Sophie, a friend from university whom she has drifted from, and her new job has left her with a serious case of imposter syndrome as she is at her heart a poet, not a journalist. The small town setting is both claustrophobic, but also striking and very grounded. I could imagine Whitehorse, I could almost see all the people, and the dark winter landscape as Millicent tries to adjust. I also got a full sense for the community as a whole and the very real issues that happen within the time and place, with references to relevant social issues in the Yukon in regards to politics and the First Nations people who are living there, and the ins and outs of a dying newspaper that Millicent works for. It’s a quieter novel, but I found it very engaging perhaps in part because of that. Millicent is a bit of a fish out of water, and her isolation, even from her supportive roommate and coworkers, makes it easy for her to be drawn to Pascal, a local eccentric who fancies himself and artist and is living a transient lifestyle in a bus like a mercurial bohemian. His eccentricity makes him stand out in this setting, which is so well drawn out by Sander-Greene that his appeal, at least on the surface, is wholly believable (and more on him in a bit).
Another thing I enjoyed about this book is how straight forward it is in terms of the plot and narrative. As we follow Millicent’s story, there are few bells and whistles, very little melodrama, no twists, and no big reveals to upend expectations of the plot. Instead we just have a very clear cut story about a young woman who is trying to find herself in a new environment that can feel quite isolating, and who becomes wrapped up with a manipulative and charismatic man in the hunt for connection. And this thread in the book was what stood out to me the most, this portrayal of a toxic relationship and how a smart young woman could find herself entangled within it. Pascal is absolutely a villain in this book, but his villainy is very well done in that it is very subtle and very easy to see why Millicent, who is yearning for connection and with an idealistic view of the world, could be sucked in by him. He’s charming, his life seems artistic, romantic, and interesting, and how many times have we heard of older men preferring the company of young women because of, at least in part, how much they can control them, and manipulating them to feel connected and genuine. Pascal is sinister as hell, but he never feels like an moustache twirling antagonist that is over the top with his malevolence, and if anything that makes him that much scarier.
“Rabbit Rabbit Rabbit” was a gratifying shift from my usual genres, with a powerful new voice for contemporary and literary works. I will certainly be looking out for more works by Nadine Sander-Green in the future!
April 4, 2024
This is a solid debut novel.
While I wish some of the supporting characters had been fleshed out a little more, I can understand why she left them on the periphery. This is, after all, Millicent’s story… she has to be the focus.
I’m struggling to think what other novel this reminds me of - where a young woman loses her way in a toxic relationship. It’s on the tip of my proverbial tongue…
The author does a good job of “documenting” Millie’s losing herself in the relationship with Pascal. All of the warning signs of an abusive relationship are dropped, like pennies, along the way. This serves, in the absence of a “plot” per se, to keep the reader’s interest up - needing to know where - and how - this is going to end.
That the Yukon appears in it’s own right as a central “character” is another bonus to this. Then we have the layering on of the land politics - with just the right touch, short of feeling preachy.
One thing that really troubled me throughout - and I do mean repeatedly - was not knowing when this was taking place. There is no way that it takes place in the present. There are lots of things that suggest that this is taking place around 2000, but then there are contradictory facts also.
All of which leaves me wondering exactly when this is set… and why the choice of whatever year it is set in? What is to be gained by not setting it today? By making it ‘historic’ but not too historic? I haven’t figured this one out yet…. And it’s bugging me!
Thanks to the publisher and Edelweiss for granting me access to an early digital review copy.
While I wish some of the supporting characters had been fleshed out a little more, I can understand why she left them on the periphery. This is, after all, Millicent’s story… she has to be the focus.
I’m struggling to think what other novel this reminds me of - where a young woman loses her way in a toxic relationship. It’s on the tip of my proverbial tongue…
The author does a good job of “documenting” Millie’s losing herself in the relationship with Pascal. All of the warning signs of an abusive relationship are dropped, like pennies, along the way. This serves, in the absence of a “plot” per se, to keep the reader’s interest up - needing to know where - and how - this is going to end.
That the Yukon appears in it’s own right as a central “character” is another bonus to this. Then we have the layering on of the land politics - with just the right touch, short of feeling preachy.
One thing that really troubled me throughout - and I do mean repeatedly - was not knowing when this was taking place. There is no way that it takes place in the present. There are lots of things that suggest that this is taking place around 2000, but then there are contradictory facts also.
All of which leaves me wondering exactly when this is set… and why the choice of whatever year it is set in? What is to be gained by not setting it today? By making it ‘historic’ but not too historic? I haven’t figured this one out yet…. And it’s bugging me!
Thanks to the publisher and Edelweiss for granting me access to an early digital review copy.
April 29, 2024
Once I started Nadine Sander-Green’s book, I couldn’t put it down! This is the story of a young woman, Millicent, and her struggle with a common problem for many young adults, that of finding what brings her joy.
Millicent searches to find her way in a life that has no real direction and lots of confusion, which sets her off on a disturbing journey with a stranger. Success as a journalist at ‘The Golden Nugget’, helps her keep her head above water while the rest of her life hits rock bottom. Rabbit, Rabbit, Rabbit is Millicent’s story that demonstrates our necessity for family, friends, connection with Mother Nature and the love of self to make us whole.
As I read Rabbit, Rabbit, Rabbit, the author brought me back to the beauty and harshness of the north. There are real parallels between the people and the land. Some are such passionate people and love the north for all it offers, yet others seem to use the north to get lost and avoid all authority or responsibility. Millicent experiences all of this while coping with her own predicaments.
I thoroughly enjoyed Nadine’s book and have huge admiration for her success in this beautifully written first novel.
Millicent searches to find her way in a life that has no real direction and lots of confusion, which sets her off on a disturbing journey with a stranger. Success as a journalist at ‘The Golden Nugget’, helps her keep her head above water while the rest of her life hits rock bottom. Rabbit, Rabbit, Rabbit is Millicent’s story that demonstrates our necessity for family, friends, connection with Mother Nature and the love of self to make us whole.
As I read Rabbit, Rabbit, Rabbit, the author brought me back to the beauty and harshness of the north. There are real parallels between the people and the land. Some are such passionate people and love the north for all it offers, yet others seem to use the north to get lost and avoid all authority or responsibility. Millicent experiences all of this while coping with her own predicaments.
I thoroughly enjoyed Nadine’s book and have huge admiration for her success in this beautifully written first novel.
July 2, 2025
Honestly, bad. The characters are all more like caricatures.
She had very little inner monologue so her choices/decisions don't make any sense (e.g., meeting with him the first time, her confrontation with Sophie, the switch to hating him). It felt like a trope. And like a cautionary tale about emotionally abusive relationships. It didn't make the relationship seem reasonable, but nor did it fully show the issues in it. I'd rather reread Lolita.
Tries to carry WAY more emotional weight than it does. Really the only ick was the repetitive allusions to him being like a child. Particularly the ending just comes off as stupid. More errors and inconsistencies toward the end too, like the editor gave up.
It read like the first book of someone who desperately wanted to write and had to self-publish to make it happen.
She had very little inner monologue so her choices/decisions don't make any sense (e.g., meeting with him the first time, her confrontation with Sophie, the switch to hating him). It felt like a trope. And like a cautionary tale about emotionally abusive relationships. It didn't make the relationship seem reasonable, but nor did it fully show the issues in it. I'd rather reread Lolita.
Tries to carry WAY more emotional weight than it does. Really the only ick was the repetitive allusions to him being like a child. Particularly the ending just comes off as stupid. More errors and inconsistencies toward the end too, like the editor gave up.
It read like the first book of someone who desperately wanted to write and had to self-publish to make it happen.
May 20, 2024
I thoroughly enjoyed this book but the correlation to Ottessa Moshfegh is a weak one. It is the prime reason I read this book, so fair warning, don't go in thinking it's going to be anything like the genius of "My Year of Rest and Relaxation." I actually think this book would probably appeal to a wider audience.
I thought the story was engaging, and the characters quirky and fun (mostly) - people being flawed people. The setting was really interesting, it's nice to get out of the city sometimes and learn about a place as much as the people in the place. Many topics of relevance to our times: failing newspaper; affordable housing crisis; politicians being sheysters; native people trying to protect their land and tradition.
It's a good solid novel.
I thought the story was engaging, and the characters quirky and fun (mostly) - people being flawed people. The setting was really interesting, it's nice to get out of the city sometimes and learn about a place as much as the people in the place. Many topics of relevance to our times: failing newspaper; affordable housing crisis; politicians being sheysters; native people trying to protect their land and tradition.
It's a good solid novel.
July 23, 2025
The main charm of the book was a woman's experience in Whitehorse. The writing style was good and I found myself engaged. However, there were some aspects of the story and some characters that seemed unlikely, making it a stretch to believe. The heroine was believable (sort of). I found her more gullible than abused, but maybe I misunderstood.
I didn't see it as a coming of age story (as some reviews have mentioned) as much as a young ambitious woman trying to become a reporter.
There were several themes in the book. For example, I found myself wondering whether the weather and the thinking of the heroine were connected.
This is a book club selection and I will be interested to hear what the book club thinks of this book.
I didn't see it as a coming of age story (as some reviews have mentioned) as much as a young ambitious woman trying to become a reporter.
There were several themes in the book. For example, I found myself wondering whether the weather and the thinking of the heroine were connected.
This is a book club selection and I will be interested to hear what the book club thinks of this book.
June 3, 2024
Loved this book. Millicent is a young woman who travels to Whitehorse to work at the community paper, "The Golden Nugget". She is lost, both in her life, and in the northern community. She keeps spotting a man who lives in a bus, and becomes intrigued. After she interviews him, they embark on a relationship that soon turns toxic.
This book was one that made me want to keep reading. I didn't want to do anything except read this book. I found the story very compelling. I loved how the North itself was a character, and how the author managed to weave so much northern nature and history throughout the book.
This book was one that made me want to keep reading. I didn't want to do anything except read this book. I found the story very compelling. I loved how the North itself was a character, and how the author managed to weave so much northern nature and history throughout the book.
February 7, 2025
I picked up this book randomly at a local book fair. I loved the cover, and it seemed like an interesting plot. I have to admit I had moments of pushing through where the story lagged, but I am glad I kept going. In the end, I saw it reflected in my own journey of love and learning to love myself. I felt the "two woman" pulling in different directions, one running from red flags and the other wrapping them around herself like a well-used quilt.
Thank you for that self reflection.
I also realized that I grew up in the same little mountain town as the author and felt a sense of kinship. I hope to read more from this author in the future!
Thank you for that self reflection.
I also realized that I grew up in the same little mountain town as the author and felt a sense of kinship. I hope to read more from this author in the future!
March 17, 2025
The main theme of the book is handled very well. We get a clear-eyed view of Millicent's disastrous relationship with Pascal, never condemning nor justifying her for the (bad) choices. Pascal is written convincingly as a loser who is also attractive to a certain type of young woman.
Other than that, I wasn't particularly in love with the writing. The setting of the Yukon is nice enough, and the minor characters are also done well enough. But none of that is enthralling. Only the long winter struggle of Millicent against the controlling Pascal keeps you interested.
Other than that, I wasn't particularly in love with the writing. The setting of the Yukon is nice enough, and the minor characters are also done well enough. But none of that is enthralling. Only the long winter struggle of Millicent against the controlling Pascal keeps you interested.
May 10, 2025
Not every day you get to read a book set in the Yukon and it made for a cool setting. It touched on some real-life Canadian issues (ie development on Indigenous land) throughout.
It can best be described as a depiction of an all-consuming, blinding, toxic relationship. There was a heavy dose of “girl, what are you thinking???” and “don’t do it!!!!!”. It was certainly not a romance, and also not heavily plot driven. The characters were a little odd, mixed with some frustrating decision making skills.
It can best be described as a depiction of an all-consuming, blinding, toxic relationship. There was a heavy dose of “girl, what are you thinking???” and “don’t do it!!!!!”. It was certainly not a romance, and also not heavily plot driven. The characters were a little odd, mixed with some frustrating decision making skills.
January 31, 2024
This book does such a good job of luring you into the scenes of the North, I could feel the temperature of the air and smell the smells so easily. As a woman reading this it is easily relatable in the simplest of ways, with what it means to be young and unsure of yourself, with no clear path.
The writer does a great job of creating a main character that is vulnerable and honest, yet you are always wondering where the characters are all going to end up.
Loved it!
The writer does a great job of creating a main character that is vulnerable and honest, yet you are always wondering where the characters are all going to end up.
Loved it!
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