If you grew up reading and loving Harry Potter, like me, you might have been anxiously awaiting the release of J.K. Rowling's new book, The Casual Vacancy. I knew there were be no wizards, Quidditch, or magic, but I was really looking forward to what else could come out of the creative mind of Rowling.
Well, I was definitely not expecting this. In a small town in England, a sudden death leaves an empty seat on the town council. In trying to fill his seat, you learn a lot about all the characters and the secrets they are keeping from each other. There are a lot of British terms, drugs, sex, and an unhappy ending.
While I am glad I read this book and gave Rowling a chance, this is not my favorite book and I will probably be more hesitant to read Rowling's next non-magical book.
Have any of you read it? It took me a while to really get into it.
I've actually never read anything by JK Rowling. Crazy, right? Even worse, I've never even seen the Harry Potter movies!! I wasn't allowed to as a child when they were popular, and just haven't gotten into it since then! But I did just buy my boyfriend all 8 blurays for $50 on amazon! So maybe I'll at least get the movies soon, even if the books are way better (or so I hear)!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the review, this book is on my list to read so I'm glad you reviewed it. That way I don't have high expectations.. because I really did. Aw well, I feel like have still have to read it, but I will not be paying full price for it! =P
ReplyDeleteI got this book as a birthday present and haven't been able to read it yet, so I haven't formed my own opinions on the subject. but I have heard a lot of mixed reviews about The Casual Vacancy, and it makes me feel a bit apprehensive. my attitude so far is this: even if the story is as wacky as I've been hearing, I'm sure JK Rowling's talent continues to shine. after all, part of why I love Harry Potter so much is her prose - not just the content.
ReplyDeleteI got this book on my kindle and have yet to read it...I'm ashamed that I spent like $18 on it. I want more Harry Potter! I did find a set of books called Lemony Snicket...I've never heard of them but they look Harry Potterish so I'm gonna check them out. :)
ReplyDeleteHi! Just stumbled onto your blog! I'm a Jersey girl, too (living in NYC) but I've spent some time in Memphis, it's so great there! Can't wait to click around and read more! xo
ReplyDeleteHuge Harry fan, but I wasn't really looking forward to this book because I had heard it was so depressing...I NEED to have a happy ending! :-) My best friend has been trying to wade her way through this for a couple months now, and just the fact that she can't finish it (and is as much a fan of Harry and JK as I am) tells me something! So sad...we all had such high hope for more delicious fiction from her....
ReplyDeleteI have started the book, but I'm still not into it! I want to keep giving it a chance, but yeah...not my favorite either!
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