The Casual Vacancy in Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge

Jan 05, 2013 steen rated it did not like it

Let me preface this with a statement that I'm not obsessed with the Harry Potter stories nor do I hold JK Rowling on any sort of pedastal. I enjoyed the series and I respect her for her success but I feel I was able to read this book objectively, separating this JK Rowling from the beloved JK Rowling of Harry Potter fame.

That said, I did not enjoy this novel.

Barry Fairbrother suddenly passes away and it triggers a whole series of petty, backstabbing tendencies in the small community concerned wi ...more

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Jul 01, 2012 Janie rated it it was amazing

Apparently readers either love or hate this book. Since the novel is one of my top ten of 2012, I'm clearly in the "love" group. Rowling clearly set out to turn an ugly, boring plot into a thing of beauty. She had succeeded.

Don't read this book for its plot. It's not really about that. It's about the characters. The characters were round and complex and rich. My favorites included many of the teenagers. i loved Sukhvinder from the beginning; Andrew and Krystal especially grew on me. I disliked ...more

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Aug 05, 2013 Shannon rated it it was ok

J.K. Rowling is nothing short of a brilliant writer. It pains me to rate one of her books so low. But, as well written as the book is, and as beautifully as she told the story, this book just wasn't meant for me. I found the story quite boring and had a very hard time finishing the book. ...more

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