Questions About The Casual Vacancy

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Answered Questions (27)

How far into the books do I have to go to get me interested?

Amani Bey around the 300th page it picks up and moves fast. I was the same way. Rowling does a lot of character development and little plot development, but whe…morearound the 300th page it picks up and moves fast. I was the same way. Rowling does a lot of character development and little plot development, but when the plot finally unfolds, it is all worth it. The way she grasps human nature... Ahh. It's really worth it, but it does seem slow as hell (less)

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Describe your most and least favorite characters in this book?

AJ After I read this book, I returned it to the library and my kids asked about the author (they recognized JK Rowling). So I started ttelling them about…moreAfter I read this book, I returned it to the library and my kids asked about the author (they recognized JK Rowling). So I started ttelling them about the book and it came to me that my favorite character was Krystal Weedon and my least favorite was Fats. Krystal was put into such a desperate situation from how she was raised. Through no fault of her own, she was left to raise her baby brother and try to keep her mother from using heroin and losing the family. Plus, she had to go to school and deal with the death of Barry Fairbrother, her mentor and only ally. Fats, on the other hand, was a manipulative and calculating jerk. He took advantage of everyone's weaknesses and exploited them for his own enjoyment. I thought this was a great read!(less)

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Am I the only one who kept reading the first few chapters, putting it down, going back and never getting interested enough to read it?

Kathleen I'm not that far into it and it's been about a year since I picked it up. All I remember is that none of the characters appears to be likable. They we…moreI'm not that far into it and it's been about a year since I picked it up. All I remember is that none of the characters appears to be likable. They were all backbiters, and if this is what it's like to live in a small-ish British town, I'll happily stay in my anonymous American suburb.

I read another thread where the general consensus was that it starts getting good around page 300. Are you kidding me? I've never given any author 300 pages to hook me.(less)

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This question contains spoilers... (view spoiler)

Lori Goshert No, he's not a pedophile. Being convinced that he's done, or may do, something terrible is a normal symptom of severe OCD. His character is very belie…moreNo, he's not a pedophile. Being convinced that he's done, or may do, something terrible is a normal symptom of severe OCD. His character is very believable.
I'm wondering what was wrong with Fats. His behavior seems a bit beyond that of a normal rebellious teen. (less)

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Near the end Andrew's father blames his son for divulging private information to his friend Stuart who has confessed to hacking the council website. But didn't Andrew already admit writing the damning message about his own dad? In Part 5, the end of chapter III, Andrew says to his dad, "I've got something for you..." Wasn't he then disclosing his misdeed?