The Casual Vacancy 1st Edition

The fact that there wasn't a speck of Rowling's style in the dark-humored literary volume dearly anticipated by many, suggests one of having done an exceptional job at being an author. And to know that the fiction itself didn't disappoint; being put mildly, I absolutely adored every instance, character, scene and the final outcome gathered. Hats off to you, Jo.

My first badge of gratitude: our dear Flipkart. I received my order ON the date of release, which was more than I'd dared to expect.

Well, it might not be easy to lay down precise words to summarize all of which one can garner out of the terrific and colossal novel; ranged with a deep scrutiny into the life of not one but many characters. There's a deep insight into their lives and minds, which is an incredulous achievement in itself. To portray that many people with unperturbed justice....
And to top all of that, you know you've fallen in love with it WHILST reading, when you're dreading that it'll after all, come to an end.

One can only serve it with much deserved credit by reading it with absolute cognition. I can't begin to spell out how much I've been inspired and in so many ways. It's not Harry Potter, it's an entirely different bittersweet piece of art. Just read it.

When JKR said this book is for adults she really meant it. Full of drugs, sex, child abuse and politics, this book can give nightmares to her usual Harry Potter fans.

But whats disappointing in this book is not the adult content, but the insufficient or late description of the characters which doesn't help a reader in visualizing the character properly. Also the story has too many sub plots of people trying to screw each other.

well... lets face it. The only reason I'll pick up a 700 page drama on the backdrop of a council election in a dreamy English hamlet is because its written by her. and so i did.
I started the book with no biases and no expectations however, and was prepared to treat it as what it was.
I must say, the book was not disappointing.I loved the way she develops the characters, builds up the plot and slowly plunges into the story. She follows it up with some steamy suspense and drama and finishes with a whirlwind of climax, joining all the lose ends at the end - not very different from her classic Potter style. Most of all I loved the characters. Each character was given a deep, distinct personality, and each of them were developed really well over the entire novel, and were given fitting conclusions to take home. In the interplay between the various characters and shuttling between their viewpoints along the storyline, she's portayed the frailiy of human nature and the misgivings and insecurities of human lives very beautifully. In all their imperfections and failings, they have all come alive and become very very credible. Full credits for that.
The pace of the story is really good after the first 40% and there wont be a dull moment once it gets going.
Now comes the but.
All things considered, I think, the story was a little over dramatic. the plot reeked of a soap opera in a lot of places and there were quite a few "Aw! not that!" moments for me. The story gets really rushed towards the end and things were happening before you knew. the last hundred pages or so take you thru the climax at a giddy pace and towards the end u're gasping for breath. She moves over a scene before it has properly developed and takes you to the next. Didn't work too well for me.
All and all, its a reasonably interesting book with a lot of interesting characters, but the story is definitely a little over the top and unreal for me.
Verdict - Definitely worth Reading, but don't expect Pulitzer quality stuff on this
3 stars from me, mostly for the characters and how they describe human nature.

I bought this book by October 25th,2012 after almost 90% of the people completed it. I mean both the so-called-Rowling fans as well as the adult fiction lovers, with me being the second one.

I wanted to know why it has been given quite a mixed review. So I bought it and read it.
It took me a week to complete it as my office timings were tight.

I would like to tell you that the book has no story at all!!! No Story!! Trust me!!

I am the kind of reader who loves screenplay very much and it is quite good in this book up and until Part five. After that, it becomes a huge disaster!

Not to mention that the story had an abrupt ending also! There was nothing! It was like falling from the edge of a cliff onto an abyss!

I expected a lot from Rowling and I would like to say that I am disappointed.

If you are the kind of person who has started reading newly and have been looking to venture which book to buy, my strict advice is don't get this!

For others, yes you can go on! Read it! It is a one time experience! Not to be cherished! Not to be remembered!

THE CASUAL VACANCY, the much talked about novel of the renowned author J.K. Rowling, is nowhere similar to Harry Potter except the naming of one of the character - Barry Fairbrother (whose name Harry had taken in HP7 during the wedding), around whom the story of the fictional town of Pagford revolves.
The novel is a 503 pages of tormented lifestyles, drugs, abuse and adulteration. When J.K. Rowling said that she was writing a novel for adults, what she actually meant was, she is writing an Adult Novel - a novel full of sex and life. Not a single character in the novel could be called as a role model for anyone. You may relate to one or more character (you just do!) but you do not really connect to any one particular character throughout. The irritating nature of the novel is that every time the story reaches exciting point, the novel pulls you down to dullness by beginning another character's story. First half of the novel is credibly boring with the story talking only about Barry - a dead character. As the second half begins, the voltage increases. The politics and drama's voltage keeps on rising and in the last 150 pages, it just leaves you awestruck! The novel gains the Harry-Potter-like addiction in these last few pages.

There are moments when you will laugh at the Western Culture and sob at how Indians are treated there.

The novel begins with a death and ends with another. It doesn't talk about the other characters and how they really cope up with their problems. The ending seems hollow!

Overall, read the novel if you are a fan of J.K. Rowling's writing style, which is again the catchy point here. Read for the drama in the last 150 pages. Strictly avoid if you are not-so-mature for this is full of adult contents.
You will laugh, you will cry, you will be entertain, but you can't remember it forever.

Besides, it also doesn't offer any basic strong ending. Its too vague.

3/5 (Little generous for J.K.'s first attempt in adult world)