The Casual Vacancy

By: J.K. Rowling

Narrated by: Tom Hollander

Length: 17 hrs and 51 mins

Publisher's summary

When Barry Fairweather dies unexpectedly in his early 40s, the little 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 at first seems. And the empty seat left by Barry on the town's 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?

Blackly comic, thought-provoking, and constantly surprising, The Casual Vacancy is J.K. Rowling's first novel for adults.

©2012 J.K. Rowling (P)2012 Hachette Audio

"Authentic" Story

If you could sum up The Casual Vacancy in three words, what would they be?

Intense, Dark, Adult.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I liked almost all of them,even the ones that most would consider distasteful. No one is 100% good or bad & this fact was perfectly portrayed in each character.

Who was the most memorable character of The Casual Vacancy and why?

Krystal. She teetered on a precipice for almost the entire story. Couldn't guess whether she would follow in her mother's footsteps or those of Barry Fairbrother.

Any additional comments?

Tom Hollander was magnificent. The characters were narrated with distinction if not a different voice. Hands down the best performance I've ever heard.

Depressing

Would you try another book from J. K. Rowling and/or Tom Hollander?

The writing is very good, which was what we expected. The reader was good, but somehow I expected a woman reader. The subject matter was extremely depressing (especially if you work in the field). The plot was predictible. The language bothered me after a while, but that part was quite realistic. There are no happy endings at all. I had to force myself to finish it. The only reason I did finish it was because I had paid for it. I would recommend that you borrow this book first. If you like this subject matter, then buy it. I would read another book from this author if the story line is more uplifting. I don't know if I would listen to another book from this reader.

Has The Casual Vacancy turned you off from other books in this genre?

Yes

Have you listened to any of Tom Hollander’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No, I have not listened to any of his other performances.

Could you see The Casual Vacancy being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

Not really! Some humor would need to be injected into such heavy material. Most people I know want to escape from real life and enjoy material of a lighter nature.

Not an easy read

Slow beginning and a lot of different, complex characters, but well worth the read. Very moving, and a great reminder to be more involved and paying attention to the community you live in.

Epic Story

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

The story was really life like. I know stuff like this happens all the time especially in the U S. People looking down their nose at people that are as well of as them but look them as inferior. People not seeing past their little world of what's important to them, and what they want, to make sure to say things that hurt, embarrass or make someone jealous. It is a reflection of the stupidity people put themselves through. It's was a good read but sad. I'm glad I listen to it. Never read any of the Harry Potter books but J K Rowling is very talented and interesting writer.

What did you like best about this story?

I liked how the story was assembled.

What about Tom Hollander’s performance did you like?

I did not notice the reader much. I could hear him but he did not give to or take away from the story.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

To long for one sitting... plus parts are too sad to keep listening in one sitting.

Good, not great

If you’ve listened to books by J. K. Rowling before, how does this one compare?

This is pretty good, although Stephen Fry's reading of Harry Potter can hardly be beaten

What about Tom Hollander’s performance did you like?

The fact that he let the story come to life without annoying accents or acting

Was The Casual Vacancy worth the listening time?

Yes.

Any additional comments?

The Casual Vacancy is not a great book, but certainly a good one. Although the descriptions of the Field and its inhabitants are lengthy, they bring home the hopelessness and squalor. Then again, the well-off have problems of their own and are caught in their situations as well as the people in the Fields.
I found the atmosphere thoroughly depressing. That goes to show that this book involves its readers.

Well done

This is a great character development piece. The story builds well, and your investment in the different characters grows accordingly. Quite well done. I look forward to other non-Potter stories from Rowling.

Entertaining drama

Very nice permance by Tom Hollander. His voice gave an extra dimension.
As a non-native English reader I enjoyed the characters distinctive voices. Somehow I could identify several real people portrayed by the characters.
The swearing takes a little getting used to.

A Picture of English Life

What did you like best about this story?

The multiple points of view, it is not something I had seen Rowling attempt in her other work. While not all the characters are flawless in their execution, she does a good job bringing each character to life.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

It was not, but that was because it took time for me to remember each of the characters and their relations with each other. I think that spacing out the listening, by taking it in chunks that I could manage allowed me to better follow what happened where and with whom.

not your childs Harry Potter!

A great read, but don't expect a warm and fuzzy ending. Rowling writes a gut-wrenching story that is impossible to put down- 'cause you really hope the good guy will win in the end. If there IS a good guy.

good read,

The story was about a town where secets abounded. And some children found no hope.