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The Casual Vacancy

J.K. Rowling

Start date: November 22, 2012

Finish date: November 30, 2012

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What Members Thought

Apr 07, 2015 Michael rated it it was ok

Shelves: read-in-2015, finally-off-the-tbr-pile, spring-reading-2015

After sitting on my bookshelf for three years (and multiple attempts to make it past the first twenty or so pages), I finally decided it was time to give J.K. Rowling's first non-Potter book The Casual Vacancy my full attention. I'd read and enjoyed her two mystery novels and hoped that maybe having read those, I wouldn't be looking for bits of magic and fantasy in the novel. I will also admit I was motivated by curiosity about the mini-series and I'm enough of a bibliophile that I don't general After sitting on my bookshelf for three years (and multiple attempts to make it past the first twenty or so pages), I finally decided it was time to give J.K. Rowling's first non-Potter book The Casual Vacancy my full attention. I'd read and enjoyed her two mystery novels and hoped that maybe having read those, I wouldn't be looking for bits of magic and fantasy in the novel. I will also admit I was motivated by curiosity about the mini-series and I'm enough of a bibliophile that I don't generally like to watch the adaptation without reading the book first.

And so, I was determined to read The Casual Vacancy. And I did.

And I didn't actually care for it all that much.

Now before all the Rowling fans get up in arms and start heading up the mountain with pitchforks and torches, let me say that I felt the novel had an interesting starting point and the first third of it actually held my attention and had my intrigued to see what would come next. When council member Barry Fairbrother passes away suddenly, he leaves an opening on the council and some gaps in the lives of his family and the people he touched. I'll admit that early on, I was intrigued by the lives of the various people that Barry's life touched and how his death had an impact on them. But somewhere around the middle third of the book, I started to lose track of characters, their relationships to each other and their general story arc. Part of this I blame on an excessive number of characters in the book and part of I blame on Rowling for not really having much for them to do in the middle third of the book but tread water. It all means that by the final third of the novel, I'd lost most of my interest in most of the characters and couldn't help but wonder if Rowling couldn't or shouldn't have wrapped things up sooner. Or perhaps had a better editor. I have a feeling if this one hadn't had the name J.K. Rowling on the manuscript it might have got a tighter editing and been a better book.

As it stands, Rowling's first post-Potter offering is a bit of a disappointment. Thankfully, she's shown off some skills in the mystery genre since this one hit the shelves. ...more

8 likes · Like · see review

Dec 19, 2014 Trisha rated it liked it · review of another edition

"Casual Vacancy," repeated Howard. "What you call when council seat becomes vacant through death. Proper term." he said pedagogically."

This was actually a very very good book. It's a huge book, a bit overwhelming at first with all the names, but a good book none-the-less. A very introspective look at a small town at war with another small town/neighboring area to it.

Although I loved it, I did actually have to make a key to all the names of everyone and who were who's kids and who were who's neig ...more

4 likes · Like · see review

Oct 21, 2012 Gabriela rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: about-marriage

The powerfully engaging style of J.K.Rowling, in a world where real life happens, adults and intrigues are skilfully portrayed. I loved loved loved it and I feel there could be a sequel to this also.

1 like · Like · see review

Sep 27, 2012 Karen (EarthAngel2911) rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: contemporary-fiction, audible-audiobooks, goodreads-choice-award-2012

Since I couldn't stomach spending a gross amount of money for the eBook when Casual Vacancy first came out but really wanted to read it, I used one of my Audible.com credits and purchased the audiobook. I'm glad I did because I don't know if I would have kept reading past the first third of the book. But listening while crocheting some Christmas gifts gave me the opportunity to experience J.K. Rowling's first adult novel.

First of all, if you are going to attempt to read this book, forget that yo ...more

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Dec 05, 2012 Jenn rated it did not like it

Shelves: 2013-finished

I gave this close to 200 pages but I just couldn't get into it. I will admit the only reason I picked it up was because of the author.

I really tried to like it but there seemed to no plot or theme. After 200 pages it was still dwelling on all the different characters and seemed to be going no where. ...more

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