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

J.K. has done it brilliantly!!!!

Would you consider the audio edition of The Casual Vacancy to be better than the print version?

I did not purchase the book and can only imagine that the reader enhanced Ms Rowlings words and made it more unable to put down until it was over....and then wanting more.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Crystal

What does Tom Hollander bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

He was so believable...I wonder if I would have been so moved without his voice.

If you could rename The Casual Vacancy, what would you call it?

Small Town Everwhere

Any additional comments?

I hope we dont have to wait so long for J.K. Rowlimgs next book.
Also, she portrayed so well the life of the abused and how when children are abused the entire rest of their lives can be destroyed, as well as everyone they come in contact with. I always knew I couldnt handle the life of a social worker( being a nurse was hard enough).

Hit the spot for a serious and relevant story

Any additional comments?

This book was exactly what I was hoping for--a serious, well written story, with relevant themes about our society. Perhaps it's what I wanted because I've been feeling a bit bitter about class discrepancies and the ever widening gap between the rich and poor, as well as our inability to hold a productive conversation as a society geared towards finding an answer. Regardless it's a good story--tragic, poignant, and well done. I would not recommend this to someone looking for a book to fill the void left by the end of the Harry Potter series... It's simply not that kind of a novel.

WOW! WHAT CAN I SAY?

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

HEARTBREAKING, DARK, INTRIGUING

Would you recommend The Casual Vacancy to your friends? Why or why not?

YES - especially ones with children

Which character – as performed by Tom Hollander – was your favorite?

Robbie

If you could take any character from The Casual Vacancy out to dinner, who would it be and why?

It would be Kay

Any additional comments?

This book was not great, it was sad, once I got two thirds into it, I had to find out what was going to happen. I found the book hard to follow so I purchased the audio book which was MUCH better. The narrator was great! The voice of Howard sounded just like Hagrid! I think JK did an EXCELLENT job on her first book after Harry. Nothing could have come close and to expect it too was pure fantasy!

Awesome

What made the experience of listening to The Casual Vacancy the most enjoyable?

A really great story. You get so involved with the characters, and really feel for them. I would highly recommend The Casual Vacancy to anyone. I read this because I loved Harry Potter... and while it's NOTHING like Harry Potter, it's still great writing and a great story. A must read.

Zac

One of the best books I have heard. Tom's reading of it was spectacular. Well worth it.

Excellent Book

Would you consider the audio edition of The Casual Vacancy to be better than the print version?

I think the narration of this book was excellent. I also think this is a silly question.

What does Tom Hollander bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Being an American, I think that actually hearing the book in the British accent really made it more authentic.

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

Chystal Weedon was the most memorable character. Her life was so tragic.

Any additional comments?

This book was excellent! Rowling has no problem writing for an adult audience... can't wait her next book!

Great Storytelling

Where does The Casual Vacancy rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Up to the top. Kept me engaged throughout the telling. Great character development.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Casual Vacancy?

The demise of Crystal. Can't say too much without giving it away.

Which character – as performed by Tom Hollander – was your favorite?

Crystal's Mum, Terry.

If you could take any character from The Casual Vacancy out to dinner, who would it be and why?

Crystal. Most complex and speaks to the rebel in me. Reminds me a bit of my confusing high school years.

Any additional comments?

Glad I didn't listen to the naysayers regarding the fork in the road of JKR. She is a storyteller first, last and always. LISTENING to the characters and the setting was more helpful than reading this story.

Couldn't finish it.

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

I am a Harry Potter addict...tried this book for that reason.

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

This book was very confusing. There was too much going on and characters were difficult to keep straight. Character development in the Potter series was excellent; this book was lacking in that aspect.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

Probably not.

Any additional comments?

I'm still not really sure what it was about!

Good. Very good.

Where does The Casual Vacancy rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Middle of the pack.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Definitely no main characters in this book, but Simon was a favourite.

Did the narration match the pace of the story?

The narration did feel slow, but the pace of the story was slow for the most part.

If you could rename The Casual Vacancy, what would you call it?

Maybe something about a hidden agenda? Unhidden agenda?

Any additional comments?

I wasn't compelled to "binge" it like Harry Potter or Cormoran Strike series. But it was, of course, very well written and thought out. The characters have stuck with me. Makes one think.

unnecessary foul language is very disappointing

It was a very good storyline but the unnecessary foul language was very disappointing and made it hard to listen to at times.