Has anyone read J.K. Rowling's "A Casual Vacancy"?

58 replies

Jacksmania · 01/12/2012 04:21

I'm about a sixth of the way through it and it's really bloody depressing :(
I enjoy her writing so much and I want to keep going to see what happens, but f* me, so far it's just grim.

Bin it (well, delete, I paid $2.50 for the eBook so it wouldn't hurt too much), or keep going?

Spoilers welcome, I just have so little time to read these days, that I want to know I'm not wasting my time. I have the entire Game of Thrones series to switch to if this one's a lemon.

OP posts:

FreyaKItty · 26/09/2013 08:18

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Fragglewump · 26/09/2013 08:27

I love reading but this was like chewing grass. I gave up and sent it to the charity shop.

Thisisaeuphemism · 02/10/2013 16:25

The end was so shocking and powerful- it's stayed with me for months...

It was a relief to get there though!

I think she is massively massively talented and I'm a big fan (some editing down would have been good though)

AandAmom · 02/10/2013 16:36

I loved it ! Try "Gone Girl" for a read with twists and turns :) loved that one too :)

Polpotsbabyteeth · 04/10/2013 06:37

I loved A casual vacancy. So well-written, so real. JK has such a grip on the human condition. Have no knowledge of HP, and wouldn't read it, but from this I think she's fab.

southeastdweller · 04/10/2013 23:03

I see it's only 99p on Kindle, as well as Gone Girl.

Galaxymum · 05/10/2013 12:39

I was overwhelmed by the ending of this book. I couldn't get into another book for weeks after reading it because the images and characters had stayed with me. I think JK Rowling is very talented at creating complete characters - we saw the characters change in their different relationships and not just 2d characters. The social worker at work, then as a mum, as a partner who knew she was ina doomed relationship, and then meeting different villagers was one who stood out. I also liked the structure as each characters was affected in different ways by the councillor's death, then building up towards that traumatic climax. I loved it!

BaconAndAvocado · 08/10/2013 21:06

Absolutely loved it.

Her characterisation was so insightful and some of the storylines were heart wrenching.

A superb read, can't wait to read her latest.

I cried at the ending.

A lot of astute social commentary IMO.

Less HP, more adult stories please JK

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