13. srp 2013.

The Casual Vacancy by J.K. Rowling

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Book summary: 

A BIG NOVEL ABOUT A SMALL TOWN ...


When Barry Fairbrother dies in his early forties, the town of Pagford is left in shock.

Pagford is, seemingly, an English idyll, with a cobbled market square and an ancient abbey, but what lies behind the pretty façade is a town at war.

Rich at war with poor, teenagers at war with their parents, wives at war with their husbands, teachers at war with their pupils ... Pagford is not what it first seems.

And the empty seat left by Barry on the parish council soon becomes the catalyst for the biggest war the town has yet seen. Who will triumph in an election fraught with passion, duplicity and unexpected revelations?

      Something that started as the biggest expectation of the year turned out to be the biggest disappointment in just a couple of days. People blame it on me as they thing that I've expected something like Harry Potter but reality is something else. I'm well aware that Harry Potter is unique and I would be the first person to vote to leave that story as it is, just there where it should be and move onto something else. Only that something else wasn't this for sure.

       I shall warn you that I won't say much about the plot here, as it's too complicated to even try to explain it. That leads us to another problem, and yes believe it or not this book is too complicated for me to bother with. It started with so many names and connections that I was lost in spare of just few pages. I had no idea who is connected to whom and what that has to have with that other person whose story I'm reading, but I continued. I continued because many of fantasy novels (and note this is not a fantasy) start like that but soon enough everything gets cleared in my head. It didn't happened here because yes, I was well-aware of the characters, but what they had to do with this story and what was the main point reminded mystery to me, even now after reading it.
       That was my second problem - I really don't understand this book. I got a feeling like this book was written just for the sake of being wrote and that was a big disappointment to me. There was a lot of other problems like calling this book adult novel just because they (unnecessarily) swear all the time and every swear-word cut me like a knife. That wasn't the only reason for you to call this book adult there are many others but still this book didn't leave the impression of 'adultness'.

       I could easily set things differently and say that it was my mistake for picking up this book as it clearly wasn't for me but I won't. This book was written (I hope) to all lovers of J.K. Rowling's magical writing and ability to create a story that will get under your skin. I wasn't looking for another Harry Potter book, and I never will. Therefore I blame it on J.K. Rowling. I'm sorry but for once I tried and really put all my hopes in this, but sadly they were pointless.
       Needless to say, this was one of the hardest reviews to publish.

Rating: 1 star.

Until the next time,


Broj komentara: 17:

  1. I think the problem for many with The Casual Vacancy is how completely opposite the book is from her only other series Harry Potter (which we all know was brilliant). Readers had no transition and that makes the content of this book just feel wrong. Had it come out 2-3 books later maybe it wouldn't be so bad. I don't know maybe I'm just talking out my ass but based on everything I've heard or read this seems to be the problem.

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    1. I'm not sure because I started this without any ideas what it might be. I just wanted to enjoy the story and I didn't. That was the main problem with me. But still whenever this book came out everyone would react the same as HP and with that J.K. is unforgettable.

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  2. I've heard not so great things about this book. I don't know if I'll ever give this a try. It just doesn't sound like my cup of tea. But great review though, I completely understand what you're saying Tanja :)

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    1. Well I guess it wasn't mine either. Thanks Janina :)

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  3. This is on my list and maybe one day I will pick it up. I am sorry it didn't work for you from what I have read you are not alone.

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    1. Yes I have heard some not so good thing about it as well. I hope you'll like it :)

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  4. Sorry to see this didn't work for you Tanja, but I guess I can understand why as I couldn't get through it myself. I wasn't expecting anything like Harry Potter either, or even to the same standard as Harry Potter, but I was hoping with J.K. Rowling being J.K. Rowling somehow the story would work for me (even though the synopsis didn't catch my attention). I plan to give it another try in a few years though, just in case. Nicely reviewed. :)

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    1. Yes I was just expecting nice and interesting story, nothing more. I hope you'll enjoy it then :) Thanks Sam :)

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  5. I agree completely, Tanja. I couldn't get through this one and was unimpressed and disappointed by the bland cast of characters and dull plot. Very well-written and honest review, Tanja! :)

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    1. It's good to know that I'm not the only one. Thanks Keertana :)

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  6. I wonder what I would make of this story being that I'm one of the few odd that haven't read Harry Potter. I hear that so many were disappointed with this, which is unfortunate. It seems like there is too much going on in this story. Sorry this didn't work for you, Tanja. Great honest review. :)

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    1. I'm really curious to see what would you think of it. I mean you haven't read any of her books before and this would be the J.K. Rowling you'd meet. Thanks Rachel :)

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  7. I still want to check this out just to see how her writing has changed, but I am sad to hear that it is not a good read :(

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    1. The story is different and the way of narrating so it's hard to compare. Yeah well, I'll live.

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  8. Oh no, no no no! I read your review in my mail and God! I knew you didn't like it, but I had no idea you found it so disappointing. That's such a shame. I had started reading The Casual Vacancy when it came out, but you know I live Harry Potter and so I was somehow expecting him to pop out which is why I put it on hold. Anyways, I wish you'd liked it better, dude. Darn! I admire you for putting up the review though and it's a great review too! I'll read the book sometime for sure but I have no idea when.

    Sarika @ The Readdicts

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    1. Well the worst thing is I didn't expect Harry to pop out :( Yeah well I was really disappointed and I wish I hadn't read this book in the fist place. Thanks Sarika :)

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  9. LOL I don't like the cover either so I know how you feel. Thanks Aman :)

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