Tom Hollander was Great!. Probably the reason why I made it through the first two hours of the book.

Helps bring out the true feelings in the characters

no

This was all and all a good book although a bit depressing, but good to read for reality to real life instead of a happily ever after. If you are listening to this the first couple of hours were a bit difficult for me to get through, but after that I just had to know what was going to happen next.

No. Because I already know the story!

Rachael Weiden because of how sad her story was.

Fats

When Rachael tried to protect her brother from being taken from their family because of neglect.

Only downside is that there were so many characters that the book gets a bit confusing when you don't listen for a whole weekend - trying to remember who is who...

If you like a tale about people and their lives, you will like this book. If you need more action like a murder mystery, maybe not so much.

Yes, an intriguing story.

Myriad of themes intertwined.

No, I have not.

The Ghost of Barry Fairbrother

You have to "wade thru" the first 8 chapters as your mind is "flooded" with so many characters. Readers will have to work hard at remembering all the characters and which ones belong to what family and how their roles fit into the overall story.

Sprawling social indictment

Some of the critics have been overly harsh, in my opinion; while some of the characters are a bit flat, still this is an engaging book that dissects small town life, class

Intricate. Compelling. Powerful.

The Casual Vacancy is a simple, intricate and insightful peek behind closed doors in a small town in England (but it could have been written about any community). Without ripping the scabs from wounds it showed the bottom level of motivation and heart, or lack thereof. In delicate layers it revealed the deeper side of each character. It is hard to put into words but there was something intriguing and beguiling about reading about these characters.

The funeral.

Miles and his wife being able to come together again after estrangement. One expected them to fall apart but they sucked it up and communicated. The teens learning there was a price for revenge. The growth of compassion among the characters.

I bought this because of the stellar review in Time and because I adored the Harry Potter series. She DID it! She transitioned to adult fiction and lost NOTHING. This is not Harry Potter but the optimism for growth and triumph over odds remained. I will not say this well, but I found this book so compelling I listened straight through and it lingered with me for days, even weeks. While portions dealt with serious life issues, disappointment, and dissillusionment, it was a shining example of faith in people, optimism and how she did that is beyond me. I was knocked out by this book. It deserves every single word of pre-publication hype and every excellent review. There is something special about this book, it pulses with life and it glows in your brain long after "the end". It has a gentle flow and progression so don't expect an action adventure. It is very much worth spending your credit on this listen. Brava JK Rowling. You wrote another hell of a good book.

I am not sure who would enjoy this book, it was slow and boring and I don't think JK brought it together very well.

It was a long story with many characters, but none of them really carried the story and she did not make you really care about any of the characters except Crystal, who had a small part.

I dis-like books where the story is read in a basic mono-tone voice with little expression.

Disappointment!!!! I excepted a little more from JK.

Don't buy the book. I listened to it on audio and out of the 18 hours of story, only about 1 hour was interesting and worth my time. If some you know has already read the book, just have them tell you about and save your time and money.

The narrator was great, enjoyed his inflection. Imagined each character.

Complexity of the characters, the need to pay close attention in the beginning to what was going on with whom. The whole story played out to a shocking end really, but ended abruptly.

This book is fantastic. Rowling is an amazing observer and translator of the human condition. Her characters are multidimensional and contradictory giving the story an authentic foundation. Obviously, the end of the Harry Potter series gave everyone who enjoyed them a strong desire for more. However, The Casual Vacancy is does not fill that void for those who crave a protagonist overcoming great obstacles to find within himself that which allows him to triumph. This is a book for listeners who are interested in exploring the interior lives of others, and, consequently, themselves. Each outwardly unpleasant character struggles with their own pain. No one is pure evil, no one is a saint, they are all human and they all bleed. Understanding that even our greatest enemy can be vulnerable enough to evoke in us a genuine empathy is the strongest theme in this book. For those who like Rowling only for her limitless power in creating a new universe, this is not a book for you. It is not about escapism, it is about taking an honest look at your inner self in the safety of your own mind. This story is for those readers who value a book that can make you reflect on your own state of being, on your own judgements and values, a book that can change you for the better.Take a chance on this one, I am truly glad that I did.

It is very hard to have a favorite character, in the same way that it would be hard to like anyone if you knew all their darkest secrets, desires and weaknesses. In the spirit of Fats Wall, I choose Krystal Weedon for her unapologetic authenticity.

I have not heard Tom Hollander's other performances, but this one was great.

The characters are real people. Ms. Rowling has described them in detail, warts and all.

Without spoiling what happens, the last few chapters are like a runaway train the plot elements build and interact, I could not stop listening.

Both the Dinner Party from Hell and the Birthday Celebration were excellent.

I cried at places, however according to Ms. Rowling in the NY Times she did also.

I know that my views are in the minority with so many negative reviews already. It's not Harry Potter and the Pagford Parish Council.; it wasn't meant to be. Give the story a chance, you may be surprised.