Comments on: A Casual Vacancy, J. K. Rowling

By: Emily

Emily — Sun, 04 Nov 2012 23:15:32 +0000

I know I will probably read this eventually for curiosity’s sake, but now I’m almost dreading it because I do not like books about mean people either. It’s like this book I just read for my in-person book club, Dare Me, which had this horrible, manipulative, wretched girl in it who made me want to just hurl the book across the room as I was reading. Boo to mean people.

By: Iris

Iris — Sun, 28 Oct 2012 08:53:48 +0000

As you know I have this on my shelves but I cannot get myself to read it. Perhaps in a year or so. Meanwhile, my expectations are so low that I’m hoping to be pleasantly surprised (that’s a contradiction, but I can’t make it sound less contradictory).

By: Nish

Nish — Mon, 22 Oct 2012 09:11:40 +0000

This book sounds very personal to me when I think of Rowling’s past life before she became rich. Just for that alone I would want to read it. I am a huge fan of Rowling, not just for her books, but also her personality.

That said, that ending you highlighted in your post is just disappointing. I am not a fan of books where children die….so yes, I guess I am an uplift-craving reader as that reviewer put it.

By: samantha1020

samantha1020 — Sun, 21 Oct 2012 22:49:44 +0000

I just don’t know if I want to read this one or not. I love, love, love the Harry Potter books but I’m not sure that I even want to give this one a try. I’m still undecided after reading your thoughts…instead I think I shall go reread Harry Potter. Sounds much better!

By: Bookwyrme

Bookwyrme — Wed, 17 Oct 2012 18:10:17 +0000

I hate that, too, when reviewers are sure that anyone who doesn’t like the book must dislike it because they are insufficiently intellectual (Odd; there aren’t many reviews that say “If you don’t like this, it must be because you hate fun).

Of course, I must admit, she’s partly right. I am an “uplift-craving” reader. I like books where I like the characters, and I prefer books with happy endings.

For which reason, I’m unlikely to ever read A Casual Vacancy. It’s a pity. I liked the Harry Potter books (not loved, but liked) and was kind of curious to see what an experienced, settled, sure-of-herself Rowling would write and what sort of new universes she might create. Of course, she might still make a new universe, some day.

By: leavesandpages

leavesandpages — Wed, 17 Oct 2012 05:18:31 +0000

I was thinking about this book today, so took the opportunity when I was in the city to casually wander up to the A Casual Vacancy display in Coles and read the first few & last few pages, plus a skimming visit of the central block. And my lightning verdict is “meh”. (As my teen son would say.) Wasn’t tempted to shell out whatever the price was – $30-ish? – for the dubious joy of ownership. I know if I wait 6 months this one will be cheap & abundant at the Sally Ann, if I want to further my cultural literacy with regards to JKR.

By: Care

Care — Wed, 17 Oct 2012 03:30:53 +0000

You have almost convinced me that it is time for me to do a re-read of Les Miz. I read Les Miserables in HighSchool 1) because I was going to read a Very Important LONG Book of Classic that the cheerleaders would NOT read because it was LONG and 2) NOT read a girl-choice such as P&P or Blubbering Heights per all the cheerleaders in said HighSchool. I blubber-ed my way through and gave my heart to Les Miserables in HighSchool.
I still have zero interest in reading TCV.
I adore your posts. It brings out the booksnob in me somehow, though and I both like and am appalled.

By: Vishy

Vishy — Tue, 16 Oct 2012 15:43:29 +0000

Interesting review, Jenny! I was thinking yesterday on whether I should get ‘The Casual Vacancy’. Then I thought that I will try borrowing it from the library. I haven’t decided what to do yet, but after reading your review, I am thinking of borrowing it from the library 🙂

I think Rowling was brave to try writing adult fiction, but I agree with what litlove has said above – it is not the same as YA fiction. Even when we enjoy reading both, we expect different things from both. The ending does sound a bit simplistic and deliberate and artificial. I hope Rowling improves with her next book for grownups. I loved what you said about the review in Salon 🙂

By: litlove

litlove — Tue, 16 Oct 2012 09:39:56 +0000

I was involved in a discussion at Jeanne’s site that was (well the part I was in) concerned with the way Rowling’s characters can easily slide into caricature. I think you can get away with that in children’s books where the reader more readily accepts the good vs evil thing. But it’s problematic in adult fiction, where on the whole the fuller the characterisation the better the story.

By: Amy @ My Friend Amy

Amy @ My Friend Amy — Tue, 16 Oct 2012 06:49:48 +0000

I actually ended up liking the book more than I thought I would but I completely sympathize with and understand your points. I mean it’s not even like I feel like I need to keep it, it will be leaving my house if I ever finish writing my review.