Casual Vacancy
10January 19, 2013 by applesandarteries
I read J.K. Rowling’s The Casual Vacancy this past week. This was no novel full of butter beer, portals, or maroon and yellow scarves!
I was sucked into the story from the moment the librarian turned the book over to me. I never read and walk, but found myself so engrossed in the first few pages of the book that I kept reading on my walk home from the library–with the occasional look up to avoid puddles and traffic!
I’m going to pause right here. You’re probably expecting me to say I loved this book. A few days after finishing it, I’m completely undecided about the story. It centers around a small town and a vacancy on the town council. I think Rowling is an expert at character development–I felt compelled to quickly get to the end of this book because I had to know what happened to these folks. But at times the characters/story reminded me of my former neighbors. Serving on the condo board with these folks was a challenge to say the least. So I could relate to the strong personalities and tactics of people trying to get their way.
The ending of the book was so tragic (no spoiler here) that I feel like I need to talk to someone else who has read this book to find out if I’m over-reacting – and caring too much about a book!
Who has read the story? Thoughts?
A couple of links to share:
Tamara features links to low sugar and sugar free desserts – my apple crisp is a recipe in the round-up.
I’m quoted in a post on FatWallet.com about removing gym insecurities.
Category 50 Books in 2013 | Tags: 50 Books in 2013, apple crisp, fatwallet.com, J.K. Rowling, The Casual Vacancy
this is on my wish list, now I *really* want to read it!
Definitely have read books where I get ‘sucked in’ and then a bit undecided at the end as well. For example I like Jodi Picoult, but she nearly always has a tragic twist ending. Leaves me uncomfortable and not sure how to feel. Maybe that is the point? Have never read the casual vacancy though! I am mostly a fan of sci-fi and fantasy novels
(nerd alert!)
It’s always interesting to read an author’s book when they jump genres. I read the first four HP books, which I enjoyed, but I wasn’t obsessed with them (like my friends
).
I saw that book at the library today! It was on the display, and I was like what is that!?! I haven’t read the HP books. I read like a chapter or two of the first, but I think I had already convinced myself that they were overrated.
I would recommend Casual Vacancy. It’s worth the effort!
Now I feel like I need to move it up on my To Read shelf! I’ve been putting it off because I’ve heard such mixed reviews about the book.
I still haven’t read this! I really wanted to as I’m such a huge fan of the Harry Potter books – but I think that almost put me off, if that makes sense… The other thing is, I cover lots of town council politics for my job so I should read this really…
I think you’d really get a kick out of it given your work!
Interesting…I’m curious to read this. I bet my book club would love it (they tend to like books by big name authors)
I’ll have to read this now and once you read The Book Thief we can compare notes on both! I know what you mean about those city councils though. I ran into enough of that as a reporter, but they can sometimes be entertaining in a weird way.