The Casual Vacancy (2012)

This was everything I expected it to be! An excellent novel from an incredible writer. Here's to hoping there's plenty more where that came from! ( )

As a fan of the Harry Potter books, I was a bit skeptical when J.K. Rowling announced her new book, The Casual Vacancy; but I knew I had to read it. I was particularly cautious when I started reading and had to tell myself over and over, “this is not Harry Potter, this is not even fantasy!”. The size of the book itself was enough to scare me, if I started reading it, I knew I had to finish it whether it was good or not. So with all of this in mind I picked up The Casual Vacancy.

It was a slow beginning. The story started with the death of Barry Fairbrother and the opening of a spot in the local council. There were a lot of characters in this book and the onslaught of new characters and new perspectives was somewhat dizzying at first. However, after the characters were all sorted out - about a quarter way in - I found the story very fascinating.

The story was centered around Barry’s death and how his life influenced the people around him, but it was also very political and I was surprised at how the plot drew me in, especially since I’m not a fan of politics. The story was also very grimm. It was a sad story and anyone going in looking for a happy-go-lucky plot will be very disappointed. I loved the heaviness of the story, it made it seem very real, and I was a fan of the way each character had to wrestle with their own demons.

Halfway through the book I found myself reading into the wee hours of the morning, not noticing the time; Rowling has a way of sucking you in to her plot. Her stories are both simple and clean in writing style and complex in storyline which - for me - makes it very enjoyable.

What was also great about the read was, half way through I forgot all about who wrote the book because I was so engrossed in the story itself. I must repeat that it is not a light read, not in size, complexity or feel, so read with caution, but when you do get into the story it will sweep you off your feet. Well done, Rowling, I’m definitely reading your next book!
( )

I liked this more and less than I thought I would, in part because I like a book about a community where people are in a muddle that gradually gets straightened out and I think Rowling writes about teenagers very well. That said, I thought there were some giant misteps and I disliked the ending. A little too much kitchen sink here. Still, I'd slip another half star in if I could. ( )

My least favorite J. K. Rowling novel. ( )

Unappealing characters, depressing story and zero spark in the prose equals to one of the worst reading experiences I've had in a long time. After two attempts at trying to read Harry Potter and now this dreary book, I've given up on Rowling as an author. There isn't a single character in the cast that the reader can care about, most are insipidly stupid to make a point about class or simply irredeemable losers with stories that seem to all add up to a common theme, human beings are miserable creatures. In leaving the world of YA-friendly fantasy, Rowling seems to revel in the seedier side of adult and teen life equally, with plenty of hormones and some sexual deviant behavior that the author seems to think is her ticket to being recognized as an adult author. Her talents would have been focused on crafting a more solid and less rambling story. Both with the Potter books and here, the nature of class and what one's status of birth entitles you in society form the backbone theme in her storytelling. However, wherein the Potter books offers the readers a generous amount of fantasy and adventure to enjoy, there are no such pleasures here. A terrible book. ( )